Pedestrians, trash cans, benches and sign posts become obstacles to bicyclists riding on the sidewalk and can be damaging to property, the bicyclist or a pedestrian if hit. Sidewalks are design for slow speeds—walking speeds. When faster speed is introduces the situation can become hazardous. 

You may have seen some green bike lanes popping up around the city. Colored pavement when applied to bicycle facilities can act as a tool to alert motorists to the presence of bicyclists in known high conflict zones. The first green bike lanes were installed at the intersection of California and Monterey in 2012 following several bicycle/motor vehicle “right hook” collisions. A “right hook” collision is when a motorist turns right into the path of a bicyclist who is continuing straight. This type of collision is more likely to occur at intersections where a bike lane is on the right side of a traffic lane that vehicles can turn right from. Since the green bike lane was installed at California and Monterey in 2012 there have been no “right hook” bicycle collisions reported at this location.

It is also intended to prevent conflict between bicyclists and motorists continuing in different directions. For example, a bicyclist traveling straight through an intersection should be centered in the traffic lane giving a right turning motorist room to turn safely next to them. Likewise, a bicyclist turning left from a lane that can either turn left or go straight should be position in the center of the traffic lane in front of motor vehicles intending to travel straight so that their paths do not cross.

This bicycle symbol in the center of the traffic lane is a loop detector for bicycles. When a bicycle is position above this symbol it will trigger the traffic signal using an induction “loop” buried in the street pavement. This will “trip” the traffic signal to give a green to the bicyclists.

Please remember that bicyclists must abide by the California Vehicle Code and are required to obey all traffic signs and signals.

Locking and securing your bike is easy with over 150 bike parking spaces throughout the City. Click here for the City's Bicycle Parking Map.

Yes! SLO Transit buses are equipped with bicycle storage racks on their buses for up to three bicycles. SLORTA buses (county-wide buses) are also equipped with bicycle racks and can accommodate up to six bicycles per bus. 

Sharrows, or Shared Roadway Bicycle Markings, are intended to show both motorists and bicyclists the minimum distance that cyclists should ride from parked cars to avoid being hit by a suddenly opened car door. Riding too close to parked cars, in the "door zone," is a common mistake by bicyclists and can lead to serious injury. The markings are only used on streets where there isn't room for a striped bike lane.

This new device is called a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB), also commonly referred to as a “HAWK” signal. It is a traffic control device used to stop road traffic and allow pedestrians and bicyclists to cross safely. At a PHB, the beacon remains dark until the push button to cross is activated by a pedestrian or bicyclists intending to cross. Upon activation, the beacons begin flashing yellow, then steady yellow, then solid red. During the solid red phase, drivers must remain stopped while users cross from the side street. Prior to returning to dark, the beacons display an alternating flashing red “wig-wag” that allows drivers to stop and proceed when clear, as they would with a stop sign.