Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is not illegal under California state law, Chris Kreeger explains. The legislature leaves that decision to counties and cities. In Sacramento, for example, sidewalk riding is legal because the city considers it safer than the street, given distracted driving and congestion.
California Leaves Sidewalk Bicycle Riding Rules to Cities and Counties
Yes. In California, there is no law that says riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is illegal. The state legislature has left it up to the local counties and cities. For instance, in the city of Sacramento, it’s perfectly legal and appropriate to ride your bicycle on the sidewalk. The city has deemed it’s safer than riding your bicycle on the street due to distracted driving and congestion. So, in short, there is no law that says you cannot ride your bicycle on the sidewalk.