24 ms·

If so, then the DMV test is (presumably) wrong. California Vehicle Code §21211 says it's generally illegal to block a bike lane: "No person may place or park a

by tjohns 1y ago

If so, then the DMV test is (presumably) wrong. California Vehicle Code §21211 says it's generally illegal to block a bike lane: "No person may place or park any bicycle, vehicle, or any other object upon any bikeway or bicycle path or trail, as specified in subdivision (a), which impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of any bicyclist unless the placement or parking is necessary for safe operation or is otherwise in compliance with the law." https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-21211/ https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-21211/ CVC §21209 says that you can park in a bike lane only if parking is otherwise permitted (e.g. it's a marked parking spot). https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-21209/ https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-21209/ SF city code also lists it as a separate parking infraction: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/san_francisco/latest/sf_transportation/0-0-0-51816 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/san_francisco/latest/s... Checking the DMV handbook, their description is similar. They say "it is illegal to drive in a bicycle lane unless you are parking (where permitted)" - plus turning or entering/exiting the road. [Source: CA Driver's Handbook, pp. 17, emphasis mine]

aidenn0 1y ago
Note that 21209 does not say "otherwise permitted" but "permitted." One interpratation (perhaps what the DMV is using) is that, since curb parking is generally permitted, parking in a bike lane that abuts the curb would also be generally permitted. The city I live in put up "no parking in bike lane" signs everywhere, presumably to address this ambiguity. FWIW the DMV test question was bad in other ways; it was a multiple choice asking "Which of these is not an illegal place to park:" with the correct answer being "in a bike lane." My daughter got it wrong not just because of not knowing the answer, but also because the double-negative confused her.
- swores 1y ago
  What was the double negative? You haven't included one in your telling of the question ("Which of these is not an illegal place to park:" with the correct answer being "in a bike lane." - that's just a single negative...)
  - aidenn0 1y ago
    Not and illegal. "Which of these is a legal place to park" is more clear.
    - swores 1y ago
      Ah, I hadn't thought of illegal as counting for a double negative - it's not one for how I think, but I totally see both why you said it and why it would be a double negative for some people! Thanks for explaining
lazide 1y ago
The CA drivers handbook has several issues like this. For instance, despite its insistence, it is not illegal to change lanes in an intersection. It is however usually unwise/dickish to do so. Hence why it is in the test that way.

by tjohns 1y ago

aidenn0 1y ago

Note that 21209 does not say "otherwise permitted" but "permitted." One interpratation (perhaps what the DMV is using) is that, since curb parking is generally permitted, parking in a bike lane that abuts the curb would also be generally permitted. The city I live in put up "no parking in bike lane" signs everywhere, presumably to address this ambiguity. FWIW the DMV test question was bad in other ways; it was a multiple choice asking "Which of these is not an illegal place to park:" with the correct answer being "in a bike lane." My daughter got it wrong not just because of not knowing the answer, but also because the double-negative confused her.

swores 1y ago
What was the double negative? You haven't included one in your telling of the question ("Which of these is not an illegal place to park:" with the correct answer being "in a bike lane." - that's just a single negative...)
- aidenn0 1y ago
  Not and illegal. "Which of these is a legal place to park" is more clear.
  - swores 1y ago
    Ah, I hadn't thought of illegal as counting for a double negative - it's not one for how I think, but I totally see both why you said it and why it would be a double negative for some people! Thanks for explaining

lazide 1y ago

The CA drivers handbook has several issues like this. For instance, despite its insistence, it is not illegal to change lanes in an intersection. It is however usually unwise/dickish to do so. Hence why it is in the test that way.