Red lanes, cable cars and bike lanes: sharing San Francisco’s streets

What do the red lanes mean?

They're transit-only lanes, for Muni, other buses and emergency vehicles. Taxis are allowed in most of them, but Uber and Lyft aren't. The red paint makes them easier to see, but some transit-only lanes aren't red, so read the signs and the words on the road too.

You may enter a transit-only lane only to:

• turn at an intersection or driveway (for a lane in the middle of the street, signs may ban left turns)
• pull into or out of a curbside parking space next to the lane

Look for where the red paint is dashed before an intersection. The SFMTA says that's a good place to move in for a turn, once it's clear.

You can't pick up, drop off or park in a transit-only lane. Cameras on Muni buses photograph cars parked there illegally, so the ticket may come in the mail.

Sources: SFMTA: Muni tips for using transit lanes, SFMTA: when you can enter a transit-only lane, DMV Handbook: turns and bus lanes.

How do you turn right across a red lane or bike lane?

Move into the lane first, then turn from it. The law says that when a bike lane runs next to your lane, you drive into it before turning right (Vehicle Code 21717). That way a bike can't be caught between your car and the curb.

1. Signal about 100 feet before the turn.
2. Check your right mirror, then look over your right shoulder for bikes.
3. If a bike is next to you, slow down and merge in behind it.
4. Move into the lane where the line is dashed. For a bike lane, that's no more than 200 feet before the turn.
5. Yield to people in the crosswalk, then turn.

Source: DMV Handbook: right turns.

What do you do when a cable car stops?

San Francisco has three cable car lines: Powell–Hyde, Powell–Mason and California Street. Riders can get on and off in the street, so a stopped cable car means people may step out in front of your car.

The SFMTA says Vehicle Code 21756 requires you to stop behind the cable car while riders get on and off. Stop behind its nearest door or step, and stay stopped until everyone is on board or has reached safety (SFMTA: cable car safety, Vehicle Code 21756).

There's one exception. Where there's a safety zone, or an intersection with a traffic light or an officer directing traffic, you don't have to stop. You may pass at no more than 10 mph, watching for people on foot.

You'll also see a green "X" signal on cable car routes. That's the go signal for the cable car (SFMTA: cable cars).

What about Muni trains and streetcars?

The same stop-and-wait rule applies when a streetcar stops for riders in the street. The DMV Handbook adds these rules for light rail and streetcars:

• Don't pass a streetcar on the left, moving or stopped, unless you're on a one-way street, the tracks are too close to the right side to pass, or an officer tells you to.
• Never turn in front of an approaching train. Check for trains before you turn across the tracks.
• Stay out of safety zones. These are areas for people waiting for a bus or streetcar, marked by raised buttons or markers on the road. Don't drive through one.
• Don't stop on the tracks. If there isn't room to get all the way across, wait.

Sources: DMV Handbook: buses, streetcars and light rail.

When can you drive in a bike lane?

Only to park where parking is allowed, to enter or leave the road, or to get ready for a turn within 200 feet of the intersection (Vehicle Code 21209).

Bike lanes look different from street to street. Some are painted green. Some have diagonal stripes as a buffer. Others are separated from traffic by posts, a curb or a row of parked cars (DMV Handbook: bicycle lanes).

How much room do you give a bike?

At least three feet between any part of your car and the bike or rider. If there's another lane going your way, move into it to pass when it's safe and practical. If you can't give three feet, slow down and wait until you can pass safely (Vehicle Code 21760).

What about opening your car door?

Don't open a door on the traffic side unless it's safe and won't get in the way of traffic, and don't leave it open longer than you need (Vehicle Code 22517). On a street with a bike lane beside the parked cars, check your mirror and look back before you open it.

One habit that helps, recommended by the Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission: open the door with the hand farther from it. Your body turns, and you end up looking back down the street.

How can LLG help?

Lessons don't go looking for red lanes or cable car tracks. If your route crosses them, your instructor explains the rules as they come up. The instructor has their own brake, and you learn at your pace.

Our Adult & Nervous Driver Lessons start at $200 for one 2-hour lesson, with pickup at an approved address in San Francisco or listed San Mateo County cities. What we cover depends on traffic, weather and safety.

New to driving here from another country? Our guide for drivers with a foreign license covers the DMV steps. For the city's other big challenge, see driving San Francisco's hills.