Biking Safely in Wine Country

 

We all want to make sure everyone has a good time, and stays safe and healthy. As anyone who has done any significant mileage on a bike knows, you’ve got to keep your head on a swivel and vigilant at all times to make sure you avoid any threats or issues. Wine Country is no different, but in general California and the Bay Area specifically have many bike friendly laws, and are comparatively well accommodating when it comes to cyclist safety. That said, please ride responsibly and be aware of all local rules and guidelines, and ride defensively at all times.

 

Rules of the Road

 

Assuming everyone isn’t from Wine Country, or California, here are some things you definitely need to know about riding safely in Wine Country. This isn’t an exhaustive list (legal disclaimer) but these are definitely things you should be aware of on your ride.

 

Helmets		Helmets are required by law in California for anyone under 18 whether driving, or a passenger on a bike. However, I ALWAYS recommend wearing a helmet for everyone.
Right Hand Turns		In California, cars can legally make right hand turns at Red lights after making complete stop. Out of state visitors may not be aware of this law in California, and Cars making right hand turns may be the single most dangerous situation for a cyclist. Even though you may have a Green Light at an intersection, make sure you stay visible, and NEVER assume a stopped car or a car making a right hand turn sees you until you make eye contact AND they yield. Waiting till they pass is a good option as the rest of your life is a lot longer than the few seconds extra you’ll wait until they pass.
Two Abreast / Side by Side		California law doesn’t call this out specifically except that you must be as far right as possible. That said, you should ride single file not side by side (two across or two abreast) unless you are in a dedicated bike path designed to be wide enough for side by side riders. Continue reading on California Bikeway designations below.
You are a Vehicle		In California when you are on your bike you have all the Rights and Responsibilities of a vehicle. That means you can be treated just like your driving a car and can get a moving violation or any other infraction you would in a car.
Driving Under the Influence		If you get drunk (and in California a buzz is drunk) and you get on your bike on a road you are a vehicle and you CAN get a DUI/Driving Under the Influence infraction and that would be not great for your visit.
3 Feet Rule		In California, the 3 Feet Rule was passed in 2014. Any car that passes a cyclist on the road MUST maintain a 3 feet buffer when passing the cyclist. While this is a rule, not everyone follows it especially if there is oncoming traffic in the opposite direction. So when possible stay to the right of the bike lane even if in a striped bike lane. Know that when you are about to be passed and there is oncoming traffic it is unlikely that the passing driver will have 3 feet so stay to the right more on passing vehicles.
Turn Signals		Know your hand signals, letting traffic and your fellow riders know when you are turning or stopping can help prevent a lot of issues, and is good road etiquette.

 

 

California Bikeway Classifications

 

California has created clear designations for biking, and has put forth these classifications to differentiate the road types available for Cyclist. In Wine Country you will find a mixture of these classifications on many of the routes.

 

Class I	“Path”		This is generally the safest path, usually called a Bike Path or Multi Use path. This is for cyclist and pedestrians ONLY. You will have to yield to pedestrians, but the path is separated from any roadways. The Napa Valley is building a Class I path from the base of the valley in Napa to the top in Calistoga, 47 miles of separated roadway. While only 12 miles is complete, look for updates and see our story on “The Vine Trail.”
Class II	“Bike Lane”		This is your classic Bike Lane, it is on the side of a road, and is striped and designated as a dedicated bike lane with signage on the road and street signs. You are still on the road, so be careful. Some Class II Bike Lanes have buffered bike lanes where there is a striped  or otherwise denoted “buffer” between the car lane, and the bike lane. This is generally safer, but both are considered Class II.
Class III	“Bike Route”		This unfortunately is what most of the Roadways in America look like. You are riding on the side of the road with motorists. There maybe a stripe, but there is no bike path designation, or barriers. This is your basic road, sans cyclist. Often the designation of Route here is a preferred route presumably to steer cyclist around busier streets, but in general this is a plain road. Both Class II and III provide no physical barriers, the delta between II and III is the striping, signs, and insignia on the roadway designating a Bike Lane.
Class IV	“Bikeway”		After a Class I Path this is the next safest option. Often called a Bikeway or Cycle Track this is a dedicated Bike way (no motorists or pedestrians). It is separated from the roadway with a vertical “feature.” This can literally be a plastic traffic cone every few feet, or a parking berm, or a row of parked cars between the bikeway and the motor vehicles. Some of these can be very safe, almost as safe as a Class I Path. Tend to find these more in the bigger cities, San Francisco, Oakland, not must in Wine Country