Sunnyvale, CA Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Lane authority
- City council, by resolution/motion
- Marking authority
- City traffic engineer
- Sidewalk riding
- Prohibited, with age exceptions
- State law adopted
- CVC Divisions 11, 16.7, 10, 17, 18
- First infraction fine
- Up to $100
Summary
Sunnyvale's city council establishes bicycle lanes, routes and bikeways by resolution, and the traffic engineer marks them with signs and roadway striping under Municipal Code Chapter 10.56. Riding on a sidewalk, pedestrian mall or overhead crossing outside those designated facilities is unlawful, and the chapter enforces state Vehicle Code bicycle law alongside its own local provisions.
The city council by resolution or motion may establish bicycle lanes and routes along designated streets or portions of streets. The city council by resolution or motion may establish bicycle paths in the interest of providing transportation, recreation and developing open space programs. The city council by resolution or motion may establish bikeways as defined in the Streets and Highways Code as the same exist or may be amended hereafter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4856529; v14 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
260 gives the city council authority to establish, by resolution or motion, "bicycle lanes and routes along designated streets or portions of streets," bicycle paths for transportation, recreation and open-space purposes, and bikeways as defined in the state Streets and Highways Code. 286 requires the department of public works to keep a public map of the network on file. 7, 10, 17, 18 and Section 27400, so a Sunnyvale public safety officer can cite a cyclist for a state-law violation the same as a local one.
140 bars riding a bicycle, motor-driven cycle or scooter on any sidewalk, overhead pedestrian crossing, or pedestrian mall except in a portion designated as a bike path, with a carve-out letting children under thirteen and adults sixty-two or older ride single file on sidewalks away from schools and commercial buildings. 285 separately governs Class I bikeways once signs are posted, barring unauthorized vehicles and requiring safe passing and full compliance with posted signs and markings.
Violations & Fines
A rider who violates the chapter's operating provisions, including the sidewalk-riding ban in § 10.56.140, is guilty of an infraction under § 10.56.310, punishable under the Title 10 schedule in § 1.04.020(b)(2): a fine up to $100 for a first offense, up to $200 for a second within a year, and up to $250 for a third or later. Licensing violations instead draw the maximum fine under Vehicle Code § 39011.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides where Sunnyvale's bike lanes go?
Can I ride my bike on a Sunnyvale sidewalk instead of the street?
What is the fine for a bicycle riding violation in Sunnyvale?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sunnyvale
California rules heatmap·Compare Sunnyvale to another location·View the California mobility & curb rules overview
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Bike Lane Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle bike lane rules.