Tips to avoid obstacles in the bike lane

Published on April 08, 2025

While riding your bike, you may encounter an obstacle in the bike lane such as garbage cans, debris or leaves. In this situation, people biking may need to merge into the general-purpose travel lane or onto the sidewalk to avoid obstacles.

Merging into the general-purpose travel lane

Merging into the general-purpose travel lane can be appropriate for people who feel comfortable and confident doing so. The SRTS program recommends families to practice these techniques before navigating the streets.

• Look behind your left shoulder for oncoming vehicles.
• Use your hand signals! Show your intention to merge into the traffic lane.
• Before merging into the general-purpose travel lane, complete another shoulder check to verify there is no oncoming vehicles.
• Yield to vehicles in the general-purpose travel lane.
• Merge into the traffic lane when there are no vehicles and it is safe to do so.
• When you have passed the obstacle, merge back in the bike lane.
• Look behind your right shoulder for oncoming bicyclists.

Riding on the sidewalk

If you or your child does not feel comfortable merging and riding in the general-purpose travel lane until the bike lane is cleared of obstacles, you may ride or walk your bike on the sidewalk.

In Menlo Park, riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is legal for everyone, children and adults, except in the downtown area (City Code 115.102). When you ride on the sidewalk:

• Slow down at intersections and driveways.
• Use extra caution: drivers may not expect a fast-moving bicyclist on the sidewalk.
• Walk your bicycle when there are people walking on the sidewalk.

Review more tips in the article “Can I ride my bike on a sidewalk?”