Caltrans Is Finally Adding Bike Lanes to PCH in Huntington Beach — What It Means for Cyclists, Drivers, and Crash Victims

Quick Answer: Caltrans is building bike lanes in both directions along a 10-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, from the Santa Ana River bridge to Sunset Beach. The $10.7 million project began in summer 2026 and is expected to finish by December. The corridor has seen multiple fatal collisions between drivers and cyclists in recent years. Until the work is done, cyclists and drivers should expect narrowed lanes, overnight closures, and construction zones — and anyone injured in a PCH crash should understand that claims involving a state highway can trigger a strict six-month government claim deadline.

For decades, the coastal ride along Pacific Coast Highway through Huntington Beach has been one of the most beautiful — and one of the most dangerous — stretches of road in Orange County. On August 21, 2026, LAist reported that a long-overdue change is underway: Caltrans has begun construction on dedicated bike lanes running the full 10 miles of Highway 1 between the Santa Ana River bridge and Sunset Beach.

As a plaintiff-side personal injury attorney with over 30 years of experience representing injured cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and drivers throughout Southern California, I have followed this corridor closely. Our firm maintains a staffed office in Huntington Beach, and PCH-related crashes are a recurring part of our Orange County caseload. This post breaks down what the project involves, why it matters, what risks remain during and after construction, and what your legal rights are if you are hurt on this stretch of road. If you were injured riding on PCH, our Huntington Beach bicycle accident lawyer page explains how we handle these cases and what to do first.

What Caltrans Is Building on PCH

According to LAist’s reporting, the project involves reducing the width of the highway median in certain areas and making other roadway modifications to carve out space for bike lanes in both directions. Construction started this summer and is expected to be completed by December 2026. Caltrans has warned that some overnight work may require lane closures. The estimated cost is $10.7 million.

The affected segment runs roughly from the Santa Ana River bridge at the Newport Beach border, north past Huntington State Beach, the pier and downtown area, Bolsa Chica State Beach, and up to Sunset Beach at the county’s northern coastline. That is essentially the entire length of PCH within Huntington Beach city limits.

The project falls under Caltrans’ Complete Streets initiative, a statewide program intended to make state highways safer and more accessible for people walking, biking, and using public transit — not just people driving. Caltrans has also publicly committed to a goal of zero fatalities on California state highways by 2050.

Why This Stretch of PCH Has Been So Deadly

The LAist piece leads with a sobering detail: a roadside memorial for Eric Williams, a cyclist struck and killed by a driver on PCH in Huntington Beach in 2025. It is not an isolated case. The article notes that a driver struck and killed a 70-year-old Huntington Beach cyclist near Huntington State Beach earlier in 2026, and that a 45-year-old pastor and father of four was killed in the same area in 2025.

Anyone who has ridden or driven this corridor understands why. Several factors combine to make PCH through Huntington Beach uniquely hazardous for people on bikes:

High vehicle speeds on a coastal arterial. PCH functions as a major through-route, with posted limits and actual speeds that are far higher than what is appropriate for a road shared with cyclists. The difference in speed between a car traveling 50 mph and a cyclist at 15 mph leaves drivers almost no reaction time.

No physical separation. Until now, cyclists on much of this stretch have ridden on the shoulder or in the right lane with nothing but a painted line — or nothing at all — between them and passing traffic. A “Share the Road” sign, like the one photographed in the LAist story, is not a safety feature.

Beach parking and constant turning movements. The state beach parking lots, the pier area, and dozens of commercial driveways along PCH generate a continuous stream of vehicles entering, exiting, and turning across the path of cyclists traveling straight along the shoulder.

Distracted, impaired, and unfamiliar drivers. Huntington Beach is a tourist destination. Visitors unfamiliar with the road, drivers scanning for parking, and — particularly on weekends and evenings — impaired drivers all raise the risk profile.

Sun glare and low-light conditions. Westward-facing coastal roads suffer from severe sun glare in the late afternoon, which is also peak cycling time. Early-morning and evening rides face reduced visibility.

Heavy recreational cycling volume. PCH is a destination ride. Group rides, triathletes in training, and casual beach cruisers all share the same few feet of pavement.

Dedicated bike lanes will not eliminate every one of these risks, but they address the most fundamental one: the absence of any dedicated space for people on bikes on a road engineered for vehicle throughput.

Our firm has represented injured cyclists along this exact corridor. If a driver hit you on PCH, contact a Huntington Beach bicycle accident attorney before speaking with any insurance company.

The Construction Period Creates Its Own Hazards

It is worth being candid about the next several months. Road construction projects, even those designed to improve safety, frequently produce a temporary spike in crashes. Cyclists and drivers on PCH in Huntington Beach should expect:

• Lane shifts and narrowed lanes where the median is being reduced, which can push vehicles closer to the shoulder area cyclists use.
• Temporary loss of shoulder in active work zones, forcing cyclists into travel lanes.
• Overnight lane closures that funnel traffic into fewer lanes and create merge conflicts.
• Construction equipment, cones, barriers, and debris that can be difficult to see, especially at dawn, dusk, or in glare.
• Uneven pavement, temporary asphalt, steel plates, and drop-offs at the edge of milled surfaces — a serious hazard for road bikes with narrow tires.
• Confusing or missing signage as lane configurations change from week to week.

If you are cycling this corridor during construction, ride with extra caution, use bright front and rear lights even in daylight, and consider alternative routes such as the beach path where it is available and practical.

If you are injured in a crash in or near an active construction zone, the legal picture becomes more complex. In addition to any at-fault driver, potentially responsible parties may include the private construction contractor, subcontractors responsible for traffic control, and Caltrans itself. Each of these parties may have separate insurance coverage and separate legal obligations to maintain a safe work zone.

Your Legal Rights After a PCH Bicycle Accident in Huntington Beach

California law provides meaningful protection for cyclists, but recovering fair compensation after a crash on PCH requires understanding several rules that are specific to this kind of case.

Drivers Must Change Lanes to Pass a Cyclist

Many drivers still think of California’s passing rule as the “three-foot law.” That is out of date. Effective January 1, 2023, Assembly Bill 1909 (the “OmniBike Bill”) amended California Vehicle Code § 21760 to require that a driver overtaking a cyclist in the same lane must change into an adjacent lane — if one is available and the move can be made safely — before passing. In other words, a driver is now expected to pass a bicycle the same way they would pass a slower car: by moving over, not by squeezing by.

The three-foot minimum still exists, but only as a fallback. Under § 21760(d), if a lane change is not possible because of traffic or roadway conditions, the driver must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed, leave at least three feet of clearance, and pass only when doing so will not endanger the cyclist.

On the multi-lane stretches of PCH through Huntington Beach, an adjacent lane is almost always available. A driver who sideswipes or clips a cyclist while passing in the same lane has, in most cases, violated § 21760, and that violation is powerful evidence of negligence in a civil claim. For a full breakdown of the current rules, see our guide to California bicycle laws.

Cyclists Have the Same Rights as Drivers

Under California Vehicle Code § 21200, a person riding a bicycle on a roadway has all the rights and is subject to all the duties of a motor vehicle driver. Cyclists on PCH are legally entitled to be there. Insurance adjusters sometimes suggest otherwise — implying the cyclist “should have been on the sidewalk” or “shouldn’t have been riding on a highway.” That argument has no basis in California law.

Comparative Fault Does Not Bar Your Claim

California follows a pure comparative negligence system, established by the California Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804. Under this rule, an injured person’s recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault, but it is not eliminated. A cyclist found 20% responsible for a collision can still recover 80% of their damages. Insurance carriers routinely try to inflate a cyclist’s share of fault — claiming they were riding too far into the lane, were not visible enough, or were not wearing a helmet. An experienced attorney documents the evidence to push back against these tactics.

Hit-and-Run Crashes and Uninsured Motorist Coverage

A disturbing share of bicycle collisions on PCH involve drivers who flee the scene. If the driver is never identified, your own auto insurance policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is typically the primary source of recovery — even though you were on a bicycle, not in your car, at the time. Many cyclists do not realize this coverage applies to them. Prompt reporting to police and to your own insurer is essential, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses and state beach facilities is often overwritten within days.

The Government Claim Deadline: Why PCH Cases Are Different

This is the single most important thing for anyone injured on PCH to understand, and it is the point most often missed.

Pacific Coast Highway is State Route 1. It is owned, designed, and maintained by Caltrans, a state agency. If a dangerous condition of the roadway — inadequate shoulder width, poor sight lines, missing or defective signage, a construction-zone hazard, a pavement defect — contributed to your crash, you may have a claim against the State of California under Government Code § 835, which imposes liability on public entities for dangerous conditions of public property.

But claims against government entities are subject to the California Government Claims Act, and the procedural rules are unforgiving:

• A written government claim must be presented within six months of the date of injury (Government Code § 911.2). This is not a lawsuit — it is an administrative claim that must be filed with the correct agency before a lawsuit can proceed.
• Missing the six-month deadline generally bars the claim entirely. There are limited exceptions for late claims, but they are difficult to obtain and should never be relied upon.
• The claim must be filed with the correct entity. On PCH, that is typically Caltrans, but depending on the location and the specific hazard, the City of Huntington Beach, the State Parks system, or a private contractor may also be involved.

Caltrans and other public entities also frequently assert design immunity under Government Code § 830.6, which can shield the state from liability for injuries caused by a roadway design that was approved by the appropriate public official. Whether design immunity applies — and whether it has been lost due to changed conditions — is a fact-intensive question. Notably, the fact that Caltrans is now spending $10.7 million to add bike lanes to this stretch is itself an acknowledgment that the prior configuration was unsafe for cyclists, which can be relevant to a changed-conditions analysis.

The practical takeaway: if you were hurt on PCH and there is any possibility that the road itself contributed to the crash, you cannot afford to wait. The two-year statute of limitations that applies to most California personal injury claims (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1) does not protect you from the six-month government claim deadline.

Not Just Cyclists: Motorcyclists, Pedestrians, and Drivers on PCH

While the LAist story focuses on cyclists, the Caltrans project will change the road for everyone who uses it.

Motorcyclists. PCH through Huntington Beach is one of the most popular motorcycle routes in Southern California and one of the most dangerous. Narrowed medians and reconfigured lanes will alter the road’s geometry. Left-turn collisions at intersections and driveways, and drivers changing lanes without checking mirrors, remain the leading causes of serious motorcycle injuries here. Our Huntington Beach motorcycle accident lawyer page discusses the specific issues in these cases, including how to counter the anti-motorcyclist bias that adjusters and some jurors bring to the table.

Pedestrians. The crosswalks along PCH near the pier, Main Street, and the state beach entrances are among the highest-risk pedestrian locations in Orange County. The Complete Streets framework is intended to benefit pedestrians as well as cyclists, but during construction, pedestrians face the same lane-shift and visibility hazards described above. Our pedestrian accident lawyers handle crosswalk and roadway pedestrian cases throughout the county.

Drivers. Narrower lanes and reduced medians mean less margin for error. Drivers should expect an increase in sideswipe and merge-related collisions during construction. If you are injured in a car crash on PCH — whether caused by another driver, a construction-zone hazard, or both — our Huntington Beach car accident lawyer page explains what to do and how the claim process works.

Families of victims. When a crash on PCH is fatal, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death action under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. These cases carry the same six-month government claim deadline if a public entity is involved. Our wrongful death attorneys have represented families across Southern California in these cases.

For a comprehensive overview of every case type we handle in the city, including premises liability, rideshare crashes, and catastrophic injury claims, see our Huntington Beach personal injury lawyers page.

What to Do If You Are Injured on PCH in Huntington Beach

The hours and days after a crash matter enormously. Here is what we recommend:

1. Call 911 and get medical attention. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline masks injuries. A gap in treatment is the first thing an adjuster will use against you.
2. Get the police report. For crashes on PCH, the responding agency may be the Huntington Beach Police Department or the California Highway Patrol, depending on location. Note the agency and the report number.
3. Photograph everything. The vehicles, your bike or motorcycle, your injuries, the road surface, any construction equipment or signage, the lighting conditions, and the precise location. If the road itself contributed, this documentation is critical because construction zones change daily.
4. Identify witnesses and cameras. Get names and phone numbers. Note nearby businesses, state beach kiosks, and any traffic cameras. Footage is often overwritten within 24 to 72 hours.
5. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. You are not required to, and adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to reduce your recovery.
6. Do not accept an early settlement offer. Quick offers are made before the full extent of your injuries is known. Accepting one ends your claim permanently.
7. Contact an attorney promptly — especially if a government entity or contractor may be involved, given the six-month deadline.

A Long-Overdue Change — and What Comes Next

The bike lanes coming to PCH in Huntington Beach represent real progress. For years, cyclists, safety advocates, and grieving families have called for exactly this kind of infrastructure on a road that was never designed to accommodate the people who actually use it. Caltrans’ Complete Streets program and its zero-fatality goal are the right framework.

But paint and pavement are not a cure-all. Dedicated bike lanes that lack physical separation still leave cyclists exposed to distracted and impaired drivers. Driveways and parking lot entrances will continue to create conflict points. And the construction period itself will be a hazardous one.

Our hope is that when the project is complete in December, this stretch of coastline finally becomes the safe, shared road it should always have been. Until then — and after — our firm will continue to stand with the cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and drivers who are hurt here through no fault of their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue Caltrans if I was injured in a bicycle crash on PCH in Huntington Beach?

Potentially, yes. If a dangerous condition of the roadway contributed to your crash, Government Code § 835 allows claims against public entities. However, you must first present a written government claim within six months of the injury under Government Code § 911.2. Caltrans may also assert design immunity under Government Code § 830.6, which requires careful legal analysis.

Does my car insurance cover me if I am hit by a hit-and-run driver while riding my bike?

In most cases, yes. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own auto policy typically applies when you are struck by an unidentified or uninsured driver, even if you were on a bicycle or on foot at the time. Report the crash to police and to your insurer promptly.

Does California still have a three-foot rule for passing cyclists?

Only as a fallback. Since January 1, 2023, California Vehicle Code § 21760 (as amended by AB 1909) requires drivers to change into an adjacent lane to pass a cyclist whenever a lane is available and the move can be made safely. If no lane change is possible, the driver must slow down, leave at least three feet of clearance, and pass only when it is safe.

I was partly at fault for my PCH crash. Can I still recover compensation?

Yes. California’s pure comparative negligence rule, established in Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804, reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault but does not eliminate it. Even a cyclist found significantly at fault can recover the remaining share of their damages.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit after a crash in Huntington Beach?

The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. But if a government entity such as Caltrans or the City of Huntington Beach may be responsible, a government claim must be presented within six months.

Who is responsible for injuries caused by a construction zone on PCH?

Depending on the facts, liability may fall on the at-fault driver, the construction contractor, a traffic-control subcontractor, Caltrans, or some combination. Each may carry separate insurance. An early investigation is essential because construction zone conditions change constantly and evidence disappears quickly.

Does the firm have an office in Huntington Beach?

Yes. Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC maintains a physical office at 7755 Center Ave., Suite 1100, Huntington Beach, CA 92647. Call 714-465-5618 or our toll-free line at 866-966-5240 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Se habla español. We charge no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Source: Jill Replogle, “A big change is coming to a deadly stretch of PCH in Huntington Beach,” LAist, August 21, 2026. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice or a guarantee regarding the outcome of any legal matter. Every case depends on its own facts.