Bicycles.

Existing law requires any person operating a bicycle under specified conditions to ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under specified conditions, including, among other things, when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that make it unsafe or when approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. This bill would recast those provisions to instead require a person operating a bicycle to ride in the right-hand lane or bicycle lane, if one is present, and would additionally require a person operating a bicycle in a lane that is wide enough for a vehicle and bicycle to travel safely side by side within the lane to ride far enough to the right in order to allow vehicles to pass, except when it is reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that make it hazardous to continue along the right-hand edge of the lane, and when approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. By redefining the elements of a crime, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.