Bikes, Skateboards, and Scooters 

Bicycle riders adults and children alike - must abide by most of the traffic laws that apply to motorists.  Bicyclists must stop at stop signs and red lights, ride on the proper side of the street and give the right-of-way-to all pedestrians.

Also, some California communities have local ordinances that prohibit bike riding on sidewalks in certain areas, such as business districts.  And bicycle riders under the age of 18 must wear bicycle helmets and must, if riding at night, have a bike well equipped with a front light, red rear reflector, pedal reflectors, and side reflectors or reflectorized tires.  Wearing a radio headset is prohibited while riding a bike.  And the number of people who can ride on a bike is limited to the number of actual seats.  It is against the law to ride on someone's bicycle handlebars or center frame bar, or over the bike's rear tire.

There are also laws that apply to those who use skateboards, skates, and scooters.  Cities and counties have laws regulating the places where your child may skate and the equipment that must be worn by skaters within these designated areas.  Helmets, elbow pads and knee pads, must, by state law, be worn at skateboard parks.  It is against the law to hold onto a moving vehicle while on a bike, skates or a skateboard.  If your child violates any of these laws, he or she may be stopped by a police officer, cited and sent to juvenile traffic court.

In addition, children under the age of 18 must wear a bicycle helmet while riding a scooter (motorized or non-motorized).  And minors must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver's license or instruction permit to legally operate a motorized scooter, and may not operate such scooters on sidewalks or on highways that have speed limits greater than 25 mph.