ARTICLE 3. California Bicycle Transportation Act [890. - 892.]

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC 3.

in effect

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 890. Section 890.

It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this article, to establish a bicycle transportation system. It is the further intent of the Legislature that this transportation system shall be designed and developed to achieve the functional commuting needs of the employee, student, business person, and shopper as the foremost consideration in route selection, to have the physical safety of the bicyclist and bicyclist’s property as a major planning component, and to have the capacity to accommodate bicyclists of all ages and skills.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 890.2. Section 890.2.

As used in this chapter, “bicycle” means a device upon which any person may ride, propelled exclusively by human power through a belt, chain, or gears, and having either two or three wheels in a tandem or tricycle arrangement.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 890.3. Section 890.3.

As used in this article, “bicycle commuter” means a person making a trip by bicycle primarily for transportation purposes, including, but not limited to, travel to work, school, shopping, or other destination that is a center of activity, and does not include a trip by bicycle primarily for physical exercise or recreation without such a destination.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 890.4. Section 890.4.

As used in this article, “bikeway” means all facilities that provide primarily for, and promote, bicycle travel. For purposes of this article, bikeways shall be categorized as follows: (a) Bike paths or shared use paths, also referred to as “Class I bikeways,” which provide a completely separated right-of-way designated for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians with crossflows by motorists minimized. (b) Bike lanes, also referred to as “Class II bikeways,” which provide a restricted right-of-way designated for the exclusive or semiexclusive use of bicycles with through travel by motor vehicles or pedestrians prohibited, but with vehicle parking and crossflows by pedestrians and motorists permitted. (c) Bike routes, also referred to as “Class III bikeways,” which provide a right-of-way on-street or off-street, designated by signs or permanent markings and shared with pedestrians and motorists. (d) Cycle tracks or separated bikeways, also referred to as “Class IV bikeways,” which promote active transportation and provide a right-of-way designated exclusively for bicycle travel adjacent to a roadway and which are separated from vehicular traffic. Types of separation include, but are not limited to, grade separation, flexible posts, inflexible physical barriers, or on-street parking.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 890.6. Section 890.6.

(a) The department, in cooperation with county and city governments, shall establish minimum safety design criteria for the planning and construction of each type of bikeway identified in Section 890.4 and roadways where bicycle travel is permitted. (b) The criteria shall include, but not be limited to, the design speed of the facility, minimum widths and clearances, grade, radius of curvature, pavement surface, actuation of automatic traffic control devices, drainage, and general safety, with consideration for the safety of vulnerable populations, such as children, seniors, persons with impaired vision, and persons of limited mobility. The criteria shall be published by January 1, 2016, and updated biennially, or more often, as needed. (c) The criteria shall be established in consultation with the existing advisory committee of the department dedicated to improving access for persons with disabilities.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 890.8. Section 890.8.

The department shall establish uniform specifications and symbols for signs, markers, and traffic control devices to designate bikeways, regulate traffic, improve safety and convenience for bicyclists, and alert pedestrians and motorists of the presence of bicyclists on bikeways and on roadways where bicycle travel is permitted.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 891. Section 891.

(a) All city, county, regional, and other local agencies responsible for the development or operation of bikeways or roadways where bicycle travel is permitted shall utilize the minimum safety design criteria established pursuant to Section 890.6, except as provided in subdivision (b), and shall utilize the uniform specifications and symbols for signs, markers, and traffic control devices established pursuant to Section 890.8. (b) An agency may utilize minimum safety design criteria other than those established by Section 890.6 if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The alternative criteria have been reviewed and approved by a qualified engineer with consideration for the unique characteristics and features of the proposed bikeway and surrounding environs. (2) The alternative criteria, or the description of the project with reference to the alternative criteria, are adopted by resolution at a public meeting, after having provided proper notice of the public meeting and opportunity for public comment. (3) The alternative criteria adhere to guidelines established by a national association of public agency transportation officials.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 891.2. Section 891.2.

A city or county may prepare a bicycle transportation plan, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following elements: (a) The estimated number of existing bicycle commuters in the plan area and the estimated increase in the number of bicycle commuters resulting from implementation of the plan. (b) A map and description of existing and proposed land use and settlement patterns which shall include, but not be limited to, locations of residential neighborhoods, schools, shopping centers, public buildings, and major employment centers. (c) A map and description of existing and proposed bikeways. (d) A map and description of existing and proposed end-of-trip bicycle parking facilities. These shall include, but not be limited to, parking at schools, shopping centers, public buildings, and major employment centers. (e) A map and description of existing and proposed bicycle transport and parking facilities for connections with and use of other transportation modes. These shall include, but not be limited to, parking facilities at transit stops, rail and transit terminals, ferry docks and landings, park and ride lots, and provisions for transporting bicyclists and bicycles on transit or rail vehicles or ferry vessels. (f) A map and description of existing and proposed facilities for changing and storing clothes and equipment. These shall include, but not be limited to, locker, restroom, and shower facilities near bicycle parking facilities. (g) A description of bicycle safety and education programs conducted in the area included within the plan, efforts by the law enforcement agency having primary traffic law enforcement responsibility in the area to enforce provisions of the Vehicle Code pertaining to bicycle operation, and the resulting effect on accidents involving bicyclists. (h) A description of the extent of citizen and community involvement in development of the plan, including, but not limited to, letters of support. (i) A description of how the bicycle transportation plan has been coordinated and is consistent with other local or regional transportation, air quality, or energy conservation plans, including, but not limited to, programs that provide incentives for bicycle commuting. (j) A description of the projects proposed in the plan and a listing of their priorities for implementation. (k) A description of past expenditures for bicycle facilities and future financial needs for projects that improve safety and convenience for bicycle commuters in the plan area.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 891.4. Section 891.4.

(a) A city or county that has prepared a bicycle transportation plan pursuant to Section 891.2 may submit the plan to the county transportation commission or transportation planning agency for approval. The city or county may submit an approved plan to the department in connection with an application for funds for bikeways and related facilities which will implement the plan. If the bicycle transportation plan is prepared, and the facilities are proposed to be constructed, by a local agency other than a city or county, the city or county may submit the plan for approval and apply for funds on behalf of that local agency. (b) The department may grant funds applied for pursuant to subdivision (a) on a matching basis which provides for the applicant’s furnishing of funding for 10 percent of the total cost of constructing the proposed bikeways and related facilities. The funds may be used, where feasible, to apply for and match federal grants or loans.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 891.5. Section 891.5.

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 2551, may purchase, operate, and maintain callboxes on class 1 bikeways.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 891.8. Section 891.8.

The governing body of a city, county, or local agency may do all of the following: (a) Establish bikeways. (b) Acquire, by gift, purchase, or condemnation, land, real property, easements, or rights-of-way to establish bikeways. (c) Establish bikeways pursuant to Section 21207 of the Vehicle Code.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 891.9. Section 891.9.

(a) On and after January 1, 2025, an agency responsible for the development or operation of bikeways or highways where bicycle travel is permitted shall not install a new sharrow on a highway that has a posted speed limit greater than 30 miles per hour, except at or near an intersection for the purpose of connecting a Class I, Class II, or Class IV bikeway through the intersection. (b) For purposes of this section, “sharrow” means the marking in Figure 9C-9 of the 2014 California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Revision 8.

Cal. Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 892. Section 892.

(a) Rights-of-way established for other purposes by cities, counties, or local agencies shall not be abandoned unless the governing body determines that the rights-of-way or parts thereof are not useful as a nonmotorized transportation facility. (b) No state highway right-of-way shall be abandoned until the department first consults with the local agencies having jurisdiction over the areas concerned to determine whether the right-of-way or part thereof could be developed as a nonmotorized transportation facility. If an affirmative determination is made, before abandoning the right-of-way, the department shall first make the property available to local agencies for development as nonmotorized transportation facilities in accordance with Sections 104.15 and 887.6 of this code and Section 14012 of the Government Code.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026