Simi Valley, CA Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Bike lane use
- mandatory where designated (§ 4-3.17)
- Bike path buffer
- no riding roadway within 75 ft of path
- Vehicle crossing
- only for driveway/alley/parking (§ 4-3.18)
- Lane markings
- 4-inch white line, legend, arrow (§ 4-3.19)
- Direction of travel
- must match adjacent traffic (§ 4-3.20)
- Exiting a lane
- only when safe, listed reasons (§ 4-3.21)
Summary
Simi Valley requires cyclists to ride within a marked bicycle lane on any roadway that has one, and bars riding a roadway paralleled by a bike path within 75 feet, under SVMC § 4-3.17. Motor vehicles may only cross a bike lane to enter a driveway or alley or to park, and must yield to bicycles already in the lane under § 4-3.18.
No person shall ride a bicycle upon a roadway adjacent to which or upon which bicycle lanes have been designated except within such bicycle lane, or except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this chapter. No person shall ride a bicycle upon a roadway adjacent to which there is a bicycle path which is parallel to and within seventy-five (75′) feet of said roadway, except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this chapter. ... No person shall drive a vehicle upon or across a bicycle path or lane except as follows: (a)To enter or exit a driveway or alley; and(b)To park such vehicle or leave a parking space. No person shall drive upon or across a bicycle lane as permitted by this section except after yielding the right-of-way to all bicycles within such lane.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
16 defines a 'bicycle path' as a paved pathway posted for bicycle use. 17 requires a cyclist to stay within a designated bicycle lane on any roadway that has one, and separately bars riding on a roadway if a parallel bicycle path exists within 75 feet of it, except as the chapter otherwise allows. 18 limits when a motor vehicle may cross or drive on a bike lane or path: only to enter or exit a driveway or alley, or to park or leave a parking space, and even then the driver must yield the right-of-way to any bicycle already in the lane.
19 with a solid white line at least 4 inches wide, a painted legend, and a directional arrow, and has authority to post signs regulating bicycle and vehicle use of the lane. 20 requires cyclists riding in a bike lane to travel in the same direction permitted for vehicular traffic on that side of the roadway, no riding against traffic. 21 allows a cyclist to leave the lane only when it is safe to do so and under specific circumstances the chapter lists, such as at an intersection, to pass an obstruction or another bicycle, to make a U-turn or enter a driveway between intersections, or while walking the bicycle as a pedestrian.
Violations & Fines
Riding outside a marked bicycle lane where one exists, or on a roadway paralleled by a bicycle path within 75 feet, violates SVMC § 4-3.17. Riding the wrong direction within a lane violates § 4-3.20, and leaving a lane other than when safe and for one of the listed reasons violates § 4-3.21. A driver who crosses or parks on a bike lane for any purpose besides entering a driveway, alley or parking space, or who fails to yield to a bicycle already in the lane, violates § 4-3.18; the Simi Valley Police Department enforces the bicycle chapter as part of its traffic enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cyclists have to use a bike lane in Simi Valley if one exists?
Can a driver park or drive across a Simi Valley bike lane?
Can a cyclist ride the wrong way in a bike lane?
Who paints and designates Simi Valley's bicycle lanes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Simi Valley
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How other cities in Ventura County handle bike lane rules.