Santa Maria, CA Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)

Chapter 7-10 lays out a full set of bike-lane rules. 13 requires that where bicycle lanes are designated on or adjacent to a roadway, a cyclist must ride within the lane, with only the exceptions elsewhere in the chapter. 14 controls direction of travel: a cyclist can only ride the direction permitted to vehicular traffic on that side of the road, unless the lane surface is marked with two-way arrows. 15 governs leaving the lane: a rider can only exit at intersections, or by dismounting and walking (becoming subject to pedestrian law), or between intersections to make a legal U-turn or turn into a driveway, and must yield to all vehicles before leaving.

16 restricts motor vehicles: no one may drive upon or across a bicycle lane except to enter or exit a driveway or to park, and even then must yield the right-of-way to bicycles in the lane first. 17, the misuse provision, is broader than cars: it bars anyone from walking, loitering, riding, or leading an equine animal, or operating a motor vehicle, motorcycle or motor-driven cycle in a designated bike lane or path except as the chapter otherwise allows, meaning pedestrians and horseback riders are prohibited from the lane just as drivers are.

18 sets the penalty: every violation of the chapter is an infraction unless a State statute specifically designates otherwise. These sections descend from Prior Code Sections 5-22 through 5-27, with the infraction penalty updated by Ordinance 2007-08, effective July 5, 2007.