CVC 21202(a)Eligible for written declaration

Bicycle Too Far From Right Curb

Riding a bicycle on a roadway slower than the normal speed of traffic without riding as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge, outside the situations the section lists.

Reviewed by the TicketClear teamLast reviewed October 10, 2026

Fine: $193DMV Points: None

This guide is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TicketClear is a self-help document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not represent clients. Review all prepared documents carefully before submitting. Fine amounts are estimates and vary by county and surcharge schedule.

What is a Bicycle Too Far From Right Curb ticket?

CVC 21202(a) says a person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except: (1) when overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction; (2) when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; (3) when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, including fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes, subject to Section 21656; and (4) when approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. A substandard width lane is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

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What the Law Says

(a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations: (1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. (2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. (3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a “substandard width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. (4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

What the Officer Must Prove

1You were operating a bicycle upon a roadway
2You were going slower than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time
3You were not riding as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway

Arguments Commonly Raised for Bicycle Too Far From Right Curb

General information: arguments drivers commonly raise for this code section. Whether any applies depends on your own facts.

Passing

CVC 21202(a)(1): the rule does not apply when overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

Preparing for a left turn

CVC 21202(a)(2): the rule does not apply when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

Avoiding unsafe conditions

CVC 21202(a)(3): the rule does not apply when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, including fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or a substandard width lane, subject to Section 21656.

Approaching a right turn

CVC 21202(a)(4): the rule does not apply when approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

Your speed compared with traffic

The rule applies when you were going slower than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time. Describe the traffic around you.

One-way road with two or more lanes

CVC 21202(b) says a person operating a bicycle on a one-way highway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable. Describe the road.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

✗Not photographing the lane and any hazards soon after the stop
✗Not saying which exception in CVC 21202(a)(1) to (4) fit what you were doing

What this code section covers (general information)

CVC 21202(a) — Bicycle Too Far From Right Curb. Riding a bicycle on a roadway slower than the normal speed of traffic without riding as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge, outside the situations the section lists.

This is a fixed-rule section: it describes a specific act or limit. The question is whether the facts show that act: what happened, where, and how it was observed or measured.

Eligible for Trial by Written Declaration: generally yes.

This is general information about CVC 21202(a). It is not advice about your citation, and TicketClear does not evaluate anyone's facts. Whether any of it applies depends on your own facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed California attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Too Far From Right Curb

How close to the curb do I have to ride?▼

CVC 21202(a) says as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. It does not give a distance.

What is a substandard width lane?▼

CVC 21202(a)(3) defines it as a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

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Related Violations

CVC 21200(a)CVC 21201(a)CVC 21650.1