What type of equipment should you have on your cycle? Here are the basic rules in California.

California Vehicle code section 21201 provides the rules for equipment. A bicycle must have a braking mechanism, and it cannot be your foot. Also the cycle must have a front white light and rear red light if operating at night. It must be visible for at least 300 feet.

Reflectors must also be present on each side of the bike in the front and rear.

If you are under the age of 18, a cyclist must wear a helmet. While adults do not need to wear a helmet, I have seen the devestation to a cyclist when involved in an auto accident, and would recommend you wear a helmet if you want to ride again, or eat with a fork. Head injuries are usually extensive in bicycle accidents, without helmets.

Lastly, there is some confusion about the need to wear a helmet. While it is preferred that you wear a helmet, because of likily head injury in a crash, it is not mandatory after age 18. Section 21212(a) states a person under 18 years of age shall not operate a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard, nor shall they wear in-line or roller skates, nor ride upon a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, as or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet


So follow the basic rules to avoid an accident in California and avoid a ticket. Call us if you are the victim of an accident at 1 866-981-5596.