California has taken significant steps to protect pedestrians and cyclists on its roadways, and 2025 marks a turning point with new enforcement of critical safety laws. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian or bicycle accident in San Bernardino, understanding these new regulations can strengthen your personal injury claim and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
What Is California’s Daylighting Law?
Assembly Bill 413, commonly known as the “Daylighting Saves Lives Bill,” officially took effect on January 1, 2025, with full enforcement beginning this year. This groundbreaking legislation prohibits drivers from parking within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk, even if there are no painted red curbs indicating the restriction.
The term “daylighting” refers to improving visibility at intersections by removing visual obstructions — primarily parked vehicles — that prevent drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists from seeing each other. This simple but effective measure has been proven to reduce accidents at crossing points significantly.
Key Requirements of the Daylighting Law
Under the new law, California drivers must observe the following parking restrictions:
- No parking within 20 feet of the approach to any marked or unmarked crosswalk
- No parking within 15 feet of crosswalks with curb extensions (bulbouts)
- Restrictions apply to both sides of one-way streets
- Restrictions apply to the right-hand side of two-way streets
- Violations can result in fines between $64 and $77
Local jurisdictions have the authority to paint zones that are longer or shorter than 20 feet to identify specific no-parking zones based on their unique traffic patterns and safety needs.
Enhanced Pedestrian Protection Laws in 2025
Beyond daylighting, California has implemented several additional measures to protect pedestrians throughout the state, with particular importance for high-traffic areas like San Bernardino.
Increased Fines for Crosswalk Violations
Penalties for failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks have doubled as of 2025. This increase reflects California’s commitment to prioritizing pedestrian safety and holding negligent drivers accountable. When drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks, they not only face steeper fines but also create strong evidence of negligence in personal injury cases.
Infrastructure Improvements and State Funding
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is now required under Senate Bill 960 to prioritize road improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit riders. This includes expanding sidewalks, creating bike lanes, installing bus-only lanes, improving crosswalks, and adding accessible pedestrian signals throughout the state.
Local governments in San Bernardino County can access state grants to create pedestrian-friendly zones and enhance existing infrastructure, making our streets safer for everyone who uses them.
New Cyclist Safety Requirements
Cyclists face unique dangers on California roads, and 2025 brings enhanced protections specifically designed to reduce bicycle accidents and fatalities.
Mandatory Four-Foot Safe Passing Distance
California law now requires drivers to provide at least four feet of clearance when passing cyclists. This expanded buffer zone gives cyclists the space they need to navigate safely without being forced into dangerous positions by passing vehicles.
Drivers who fail to maintain this safe passing distance can be cited for traffic violations, and this evidence becomes crucial in establishing liability when bicycle accidents occur. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, proper passing distances significantly reduce the risk of serious cyclist injuries.
E-Bike Regulations Under Senate Bill 1271
Senate Bill 1271 introduces comprehensive regulations for electric bicycles in California, including:
- Class 3 e-bikes (top speed 28 mph) must be pedal-assist only with no throttle
- All e-bikes limited to 750-watt motors or below
- Prohibition of devices designed to circumvent speed limits or pedal-assist requirements
- Enhanced safety standards for e-bike manufacturers
These regulations help ensure that e-bikes operate safely within California’s existing traffic laws while addressing the unique challenges these increasingly popular vehicles present on our roadways.
How These Laws Impact Your Accident Claim
Understanding California’s new pedestrian and cyclist safety laws is essential if you’ve been injured in an accident. These regulations create clear standards of care that drivers must follow, and violations of these laws provide powerful evidence in personal injury cases.
Establishing Negligence in Pedestrian Accidents
When a driver violates daylighting laws, fails to yield at crosswalks, or doesn’t maintain safe passing distances, they breach their legal duty to operate their vehicle safely. This breach of duty forms the foundation of negligence claims in pedestrian and bicycle accident cases.
California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means that even if you bear some responsibility for the accident, you can still recover damages proportional to the other party’s fault. However, violations of specific safety laws like the daylighting requirement or safe passing distance create a presumption of negligence that shifts the burden of proof to the defendant.
Increased Compensation Opportunities
The 2025 increase in minimum auto insurance requirements — from $15,000/$30,000 to $30,000/$60,000 for bodily injury — means there’s more insurance coverage available to compensate injured pedestrians and cyclists. While these minimums still may not fully cover serious injuries, they represent a significant improvement over previous requirements that hadn’t been updated in over 50 years.
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal organ damage. Medical expenses for these injuries can quickly exceed insurance policy limits, making it essential to work with an experienced attorney who can identify all available sources of compensation.
Common Pedestrian and Cyclist Accident Scenarios
Understanding how accidents typically occur helps establish liability and build stronger cases for injured victims.
Crosswalk Collisions
Despite having the right-of-way, pedestrians are frequently struck by drivers who fail to yield at crosswalks. The new doubled fines for crosswalk violations demonstrate California’s recognition of this serious problem. These accidents often occur when:
- Drivers are distracted by cell phones or other devices
- Vehicles parked too close to intersections block visibility (daylighting violations)
- Drivers make right turns without checking for pedestrians
- Motorists fail to stop completely at stop signs or red lights
Right-Hook Bicycle Accidents
One of the most dangerous scenarios for cyclists occurs when a vehicle passes a bicycle and then immediately turns right, cutting off the cyclist’s path. The new four-foot safe passing requirement helps prevent these accidents by ensuring adequate space between vehicles and bicycles.
Dooring Accidents
When parked vehicle occupants open doors into the path of approaching cyclists, serious accidents result. California Vehicle Code Section 22517 requires vehicle occupants to check for approaching bicycles before opening doors, and violations create clear liability in dooring accident cases.
What To Do After a Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident
If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian or cyclist in San Bernardino, taking immediate action protects both your health and your legal rights.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you don’t believe your injuries are serious, get evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Some injuries, particularly head trauma and internal injuries, may not show immediate symptoms but can become life-threatening if left untreated.
Document the Scene
If you’re physically able, gather evidence at the accident scene:
- Take photos of the intersection, including crosswalk markings and parking distances
- Photograph any vehicles involved and their position relative to the crosswalk
- Capture images of traffic signs, signals, and road conditions
- Note whether any vehicles were parked in violation of daylighting laws
- Get contact information from witnesses
Report the Accident
California law requires reporting accidents that result in injury or property damage exceeding $1,000 to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. Always call law enforcement to the scene so they can create an official accident report, which becomes crucial evidence in your case.
Preserve Evidence of Safety Law Violations
Pay special attention to whether the driver violated any of California’s new safety laws. Document violations such as:
- Vehicles parked within 20 feet of the crosswalk
- Failure to maintain four-foot passing distance
- Not yielding the right-of-way at crosswalks
- Use of handheld cell phones while driving
These violations provide strong evidence of negligence and can significantly strengthen your claim.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Pedestrian and bicycle accident cases involve complex legal issues, including multiple insurance policies, questions of comparative fault, and challenges in proving the full extent of your damages. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts by arguing that pedestrians or cyclists contributed to the accident.
An experienced San Bernardino auto accident attorney understands how California’s new safety laws apply to your case and can build a compelling argument for maximum compensation. We investigate the accident thoroughly, gather expert testimony when needed, and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to secure the settlement you deserve.
Get Help With Your Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident Claim
California’s 2025 pedestrian and cyclist safety laws represent significant progress in protecting vulnerable road users. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a driver who violated these laws, you have strong grounds for a personal injury claim.
Don’t face the insurance companies alone. The complexities of pedestrian and bicycle accident cases require experienced legal guidance to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact our San Bernardino auto accident law firm today for a free consultation. We’ll review the specific circumstances of your accident, explain how California’s new safety laws strengthen your case, and outline your legal options for moving forward. Time is critical in building a strong case, so reach out now to protect your rights and your future.
