In California, can a 17yrold ride a bicycle on the sidewalk without a helmet ?

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Here's the law:
A person under 18 years of age shall not operate a bicycle, or ride upon a bicycle as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z 90.4 bicycle helmet standard), the Snell Memorial Foundation's Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling, or the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM F-1447 standard). This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.

Can I?
Let me make things more clear, It doesn't say anything about a SIDEWALK

Answer
You did your homework and answered your own question. Yet you ask us if it is OK to break the law.
Another name for a sidewalk is pedestrian walkway. Therefore you can't ride on the sidewalk.
Buy and wear a helmet. Ride on the street with the flow of traffic. Do you know how fortunate you are to be living in a part of our country where you can ride at least 10 months a year? I reside near Chicago IL and only have good riding weather about 5 to 6 months out of the year.
Edit,
No matter what section 890.4 states, you cannot ride a bicycle on a sidewalk. Sidewalk is a pedestrian walkway.

do i need to know anything important before bike riding on bike lanes in chicago?

Anthony

Its finally summer, and for once i plan on using the old bike in my garage to go places. Are there any rules or things i should know before I hit the streets?

Answer
Designated bike lanes are a joke! Separate but equal? My @ss! All a bike lane does is put you in the "no zone". "No officer, I didn't see the guy on the bike." Or if they do see you - the ignore zone. Ignore 'em, they got their own lane.

The most common occurrence in a bike lane is the old "right hook". Cars will pass on your left & make an IMMEDIATE right turn DEAD in front of you. As you approach a 3 way or 4 way intersection in a bike lane, scan around for cars possibly looking to turn. That's why a helmet mirror is important.
http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Zone-Bicycle-Helmet-Mirror/dp/B003LVHZ4O/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/189-4719599-8876809

And what happens if you need to make a left turn? Now you are forced to cross out of the bike lane and cross one (or more) traffic lanes to get into the proper lane.

Rules? You follow the SAME rules & regulations as motorized traffic. Plus there is a separate set of laws for cyclists. http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a143.pdf See the illustration on page 7? Forget it!!! That shows a line of bicyclists riding way TOO close to the curb! NEVER ride next to the curb. A) Puts your tires in a vulnerable spot to pick up road debris causing flats. B) Motorists don't SEE you. ALWAYS ride away from the curb 5 feet or so. ALWAYS go around parked cars leaving 5 to 6 feet of space - out of the "door zone".

To my knowledge, there is no law stating you MUST use the bike lane. If cars are parked to close, crossing the white line - or a delivery truck is blocking the bike lane - scan with that mirror - LOOK - signal & get out of the damn bike lane.

I repeat...designated bike lanes are a joke! Most are designed by engineers & city planners who never ride a bicycle.

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Title Post: In California, can a 17yrold ride a bicycle on the sidewalk without a helmet ?
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