Seven Smart Routes to Bicycle Safety (from the NHTSA):

1. Protect Your Head - Wear a Helmet
2. Assure Bicycle Readiness - Ensure Proper Size and Function of Bicycle
3. Ride Wisely - Learn and Follow the Rules of the Road
4. Be Predictable - Act like a Driver of a Vehicle
5. Be Visible - See and Be Seen at All Times
6. "Drive” with Care - Share the Road
7. Stay Focused, Stay Alert

Protect Your Head - Wear a Helmet

Even a simple fall can cause a life threatening head injury. Helmets provide protection. By law, bicycle riders under 18 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet while riding on a public road (California Vehicle Code (CVC) §21212).  Adult riders are also highly encouraged to wear a helmet.

Proper fit of bicycle helmets is very important. It should fit snugly on your head and rest securely on your forehead. To be most effective, it must sit centered on the top of the head, not tilted forward or backward.

Make sure the straps are adjusted securely every time you ride.  For more detailed information about fitting a helmet properly, visit the NHTSA website. 

Assure Bicycle Readiness
Ensure your bicycle is the right size and is properly adjusted to fit you. A properly fitted bicycle is easier to control, is more comfortable, and causes less fatigue. Also ensure your bicycle is in good working order by inspecting it regularly.  Routine maintenance can be simple and you can learn to do it yourself, or you can leave it to an expert at a local bike shop.

Ride Wisely - Learn and Follow the Rules of the Road

According to State law, bicyclists are considered vehicles on the road and must follow traffic laws that apply to motor vehicles.

Never ride against traffic.  Motorists aren't looking for bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the road.

Obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits, and lane markings. 

Signal in advance of a turn - using correct hand signals (pictured right).  Hand signals indicate your intention to drivers.  

Ride in a straight line whenever possible, with a car door's width between your bike and parked cars.

Reference the California Driver Handbook to become familiar with California laws pertaining to bicyclists on roadways. 

Be Predictable - Act Like a Driver of a Vehicle

Always ride with the flow of traffic, and as far to the right of the road as practicable and safe. Motorists do not expect to see traffic coming in the opposite direction or on the sidewalk. When motorists don't expect to see you, they may pull across your path or turn into you, causing a crash.

Make eye contact with drivers.  Assume drivers can't see you until you know they do.

Choose the best way to turn left:  

1. Like an auto.  Signal, move into the left lane, and turn left. 
2. Like a pedestrian.  Ride straight to the far side of the crosswalk and
   walk your bike across.

Observe ALL the traffic rules, don't weave in and out of traffic, and use hand signals when turning or stopping.

Be Visible:  See and Be Seen at ALL Times

Always assume that you are not seen by others. Increase your visibility by wearing light or bright-colored clothes, such as yellow or lime green. Even if you obey all traffic laws, there is always a risk of being hit by a motorist who is not obeying the laws, or who simply does not see you. Cyclists must take responsibility for being visible to motorists, pedestrians, and other cyclists.

Using lights and reflectors at night is the law (CVC §21201). If you are riding after dark you should also have a white light for the front of your bike and a red light for the rear. Your local bicycle shop will be able to advise you which lights best suit your bicycle and riding style.

Mirrors provide opportunities for increased awareness of your surroundings, but use mirrors only as an aid. Always look over your shoulder to make sure the lane is clear before turning or changing lanes. 

"Drive” with Care - Share the Road

When you ride, consider yourself the driver of a vehicle and always keep safety in mind. Choose to ride in the bike lane, if available.

If the roadway or bike lane is wide, ride to the right; if the lane is narrow, you may choose to ride in the middle of the lane just like a motorized vehicle. Take extra precautions when riding on a roadway.

Bicycles are smaller than motor vehicles, and don’t protect the operator like a motor vehicle. Be considerate and aware of motorists and pedestrians. You should make eye contact, smile, or wave to communicate with motorists. Courtesy and predictability are a key to safe cycling. 

Ride far enough away from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars (i.e. opening doors or drivers pulling out without checking).

Always slow down through intersections looking to the right and left before proceeding. This is important even if you have the right of way.

Stay Focused, Stay Alert.

Always look ahead for obstacles in your path (potholes, loose gravel, sand, etc). Be aware of traffic around you and ride defensively.

Always carry identification in case of an accident. The identification should include your name, age, address and phone number, as well as the name and phone number of who to contact in case of an emergency. (This is for everybody, not just for kids!)

Bike Safety Links

• NHTSA's Bicycle Safety Tips
• Bicycle Safety from the California Department of Motor Vehicles
• Eclectic Bicycle Safety Information from Beach Cities Health District
• Press Release: Manhattan Beach Launches E-Bike Safety And Awareness Campaigns (PDF)
• Public Service Announcement (PSA) video produced by Mira Costa High School students, Alex Chun and Justin Newman, leaders of the e-bike safety campaign and creators of the Instagram account, “Ride Safe, Ride Ready” (@ebsafe)
• PSA video produced by Manhattan Beach Middle School Principal Rose Ahrens and MBPD
• Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) Streets for All

URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 23-0008-U
The City Council adopted an urgency ordinance amending the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code (MBMC) establishing a speed limit, safety and operational standards, and location restrictions for bicycles, e-bikes, and motorized bicycles.

The urgency ordinance contains safety rules such as:

• Prohibits riding on City sidewalks, plazas, grass areas, the Strand, parking structures owned or operated by the City, County, or State, and Veterans Parkway.
• Prohibits riding at speeds over 15 miles per hour on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail (i.e. Beach Bike Path), and maintains the current “Walk Only Zone” on both sides of the pier.
• Requires wearing of properly strapped helmets for all riders under 18 years of age;
• Requires riders to use bike lanes where possible, and on streets without bike lanes, to ride close to the right curb or edge of roadway.
• Requires riders to ride in single file and not more than two abreast.
• Prohibits riding on the back of a bicycle or e-bike without a seat.
• Prohibits speeding, racing, or stunt activity.
• Reaffirms requirements to yield to pedestrians at all times.

Violations of this ordinance will result in a misdemeanor and a fine up to $500 for the first violation, $750 for the second violation within one year; and $1,000 for each additional violation within one year of the first violation. If the violation is committed by a minor, the minor’s parents may be cited and fined for violations of the ordinance.

The Manhattan Beach Police Department wants you to have a safe bike ride weather it is on a regular bicycle or an e-bike. Please review the safety tips below to help keep yourself safe. 

"Ride Safe, Ride Ready,” the first of its kind program in South Bay addresses growing safety concerns around the dangers of e-bikes, just in time for National Bike Safety Month

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA (May 18, 2022) – May is National Bike Safety Month, and the City of Manhattan Beach is encouraging everyone to participate in e-bike safety through “Ride Safe, Ride Ready,” a new program designed to educate the community on e-bike safety, accident prevention, and general e-bike preparedness.

“Ride Safe, Ride Ready” is the result of a Citywide collaborative effort between the City, the Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD), the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, and two Mira Costa High School students. The campaign, “Ride Safe, Ride Ready” will be an ongoing initiative focused on three core tenants: education, engagement, and enforcement.

Download the E-Bike Safety Hangtag (PDF)

“E-bike safety and accident prevention has become a major concern in Manhattan Beach and other surrounding cities. Every day we receive complaints about e-bikers riding at excessive speeds, not wearing helmets, or just demonstrating a lack of safety precaution,” said Councilmember Joe Franklin. “With summer just around the corner, there’s going to be a significant influx of people, especially teenagers, riding their e-bikes around town. We knew it was critical to create a program like “Ride Safe, Ride Ready” that will educate and inform the public on e-bike safety and constantly reinforce those guidelines that were established to help keep everyone safe. This is a community challenge, and it required a community solution.”

“During the pandemic, many cities saw e-bike sales soar. Manhattan Beach alone saw an increase of over 900% in e-bike sales in 2020 and along with it, MBPD is concerned that there may be a dramatic rise in e-bike accidents and injuries,” added Acting Captain Andrew Harrod of the Manhattan Beach Police Department. “Most e-bikers have minimal knowledge of the laws associated with electric powered mobility devices like e-bikes, and while we’ve strengthened enforcement, at the same time, we also need to step up education.”

Beginning today, residents will start to see and hear e-bike safety messaging everywhere. The City is partnering with local businesses and bike shops, and district schools to educate the community about e-bike safety. E-bike handlebar hangtags highlighting basic e-bike rules of the road, tips on how to be “Ride Ready,” and hazards of the road will be placed on e-bikes around town.

Local businesses, civic organizations, the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business and Professional Association, as well as the North Manhattan Beach Business Improvement District, and others have also come on board to encourage e-bike safety and are highlighting “Ride Safe, Ride Ready” on their social media accounts.

Mira Costa High School students, Alex Chun and Justin Newman, spoke at a City Council meeting earlier in the year expressing interest in helping lead an e-bike safety initiative. Together, the duo is spreading the word via social media. They created a humorous Public Service Announcement (PSA) video, the first in a series of e-bike safety videos, which are on TikTok and the Instagram account, “Ride Safe, Ride Ready.” They are currently reaching out to local summer programs and camps for kids to set up safety briefings.

Simultaneously, following an e-bike accident that resulted in a severe injury that occurred in 2021 to Manhattan Beach student Lara Meyer, local students Kai and Luca O'Neill, and Sydney Martin began working on an e-bike safety campaign to educate middle school aged children about biking and the rules of the road. Along with Manhattan Beach Middle School Principal Rose Ahrens and MBPD, the group produced a PSA video, and a bike safety quiz contest for Manhattan Beach Middle School students sponsored by the Manhattan Beach District Advisory Council and the PTA to increase awareness about e-bike safety. Contest rules will be sent to the middle school students next week in the PTA newsletter.

“I’m thrilled to see our community embrace the use of e-bikes and also responsibly address the challenges associated with their growing popularity and use,” said Mayor Hildy Stern. “It’s important to educate our youth and broader community on the importance of practicing e-bike safety habits to reduce risks while still enjoying the benefits of riding e-bikes.”

The popularity of e-bikes shows no signs of slowing down. We can all contribute to a safer environment by being “Ride Safe, Ride Ready.”

Press Release: Manhattan Beach Launches E-Bike Safety And Awareness Campaigns (PDF)