FAQ

If the bike is in good working condition, you can donate it to The Bike Coalition. We’ll have it serviced and list it for sale. The proceeds will drive our advocacy and education efforts. (Need a donation receipt?)

If you have a broken bike or bike parts to donate, consider donating to Bikes del Pueblo.

The most up to date map is available in at SANDAG’s website. The interactive map features a print functionality to print out the section you want.

You can also stop by our office to pick up the physical copy of the SANDAG Regional Map.

The Bike Coalition maintains an Event Calendar which will list rides, classes, advocacy opportunities, and more!

On Instagram, following @bikingis.fun.

If you’re in town right now and are looking for the best riding, here are a few suggestions:

• 5-15 miles, slow speed light traffic  – try Mission Bay or Coronado. Both have lovely bike paths (and good ice cream shops!)

• 20-30 miles – Bayshore Bikeway around San Diego Bay includes the Silver Strand, the most popular bike path in the area. San Luis Rey River bike path in Oceanside is another good option for a medium length bike path ride. If you’re looking for more miles, great scenery and don’t mind a little traffic, the North Coast route from Torrey Pines/Del Mar up to Oceanside along old Hwy 101 is very popular.

• 30+ miles – North and east county offer some great loop routes that are scenic, hilly, a good workout, and have great weather all year round. A little hot in the summer (start earlier the further east you are from the coast) and beautiful in the winter, try routes around Poway, Ramona, Julian, Alpine, Rancho Santa Fe, Valley Center, and Mount Palomar.

• Mountain Biking – sdmba.com has a great set of trail maps, resources, and ride descriptions. Premier mountain bike sites include Noble Canyon and Mission Trails Regional Park.

Some shops to try:

• Coronado: Holland’s Bicycles

• Mission Beach: Cheap Rentals

• Pacific Beach: PB Bike Shop

• Ocean Beach: EZE Ryders

• Sorrento Valley: Cycle Quest

• Sherman Heights: Stay Classy Bikes

1. Request a Police Report: Don’t accept “we don’t take reports.”

2. Document Everything: Get names and contact info for witnesses. Preserve evidence (bike, car parts) and take photos of injuries, damage, and the scene.

3. Seek Medical Attention: This proves your injury. Be clear with medical staff about your symptoms.

4. Know Your Insurance: Auto insurance may cover cycling injuries under the motorist provision. Maintain coverage to protect your rights.

5. Handle Insurance Calls Carefully: Refer adjusters to your lawyer. Don’t let them record you.

6. Track Expenses: Keep photos, repair estimates, medical records, and proof of lost wages.

7. Lifestyle Impact: Document how the injury affects your life. Keep a diary if you’re an athlete or active.

Thanks to Richard Duquette (www.911law.com) for these tips!

Each city in the county regulates sidewalk riding slightly differently. Here’s a brief rundown:

• Bicycle riding is generally allowed on sidewalks. The main exception is in business districts.

• Bicycle riding on sidewalks forbidden at all times in these cities: Carlsbad, El Cajon, Vista, Poway

• Riding on sidewalks is regulated but not forbidden in these cities: Escondido, San Marcos

• Riding on sidewalks not allowed if there is an adjacent bike lane or bike path in Solana Beach

• Not regulated: La Mesa

• Riding in parks prohibited: Del Mar

Traffic signals don’t detect weight—they sense the metal in your bike through an electrical current. To trigger the signal, position your bike in the right spot.

Look for cut lines in the pavement:

• Circular sensors: Place your tires on the edge.

• Square sensors with diagonal cuts: Stop in the center.
  A good tip is to remember “Tires to the Wires.”

• Video sensors: Stop in the center of the travel lane. Flashing your headlight may help.

If the light doesn’t change after a full cycle, treat it as a malfunctioning signal, yielding to crossing traffic before proceeding.

For persistent issues, contact your city’s Street Division to request a sensitivity adjustment.

The truth is that gasoline taxes aren’t “user fees” and don’t fully fund road building or maintenance. In fact, roads are funded primarily through general taxes, which everyone pays—cyclists included.

For a deeper dive, check out the article “Who Pays for Our Roads? We All Do” on the League of American Bicyclists website.