Tips for San Diego Cyclists: How to Negotiate Road Hazards

Year round balmy weather makes San Diego bicycling one of Southern California’s most popular outdoor activities. Whether you prefer road or mountain biking, the combination of exercise, gorgeous scenery, and sense of freedom encourages cyclists to enjoy the wonders of cycling. Like motorists, cyclists must follow bicycle laws designed to make them responsible and safe.

A primary key for avoiding potential road hazards involves practicing good bike riding skills, such as riding with your head up and scanning the road ahead of you. Resist the temptation to fixate your eyes on the ground or rear tire of the bike in front of you. It only takes a moment to become distracted and ride into a hazard. In addition, do not become too comfortable with paths and roads you frequent because hazards can occur anywhere and any time.

Road hazards may come in the form of glass, debris, cracked pavement, or dead animals. Fading or confusing bike lane markings, missing signs, or malfunctioning sensors may also present problems. Potholes create one of the most common bicycle road threats. If your bicycle hits one of these chasms unexpectedly, you may suffer a bent rim at the least. If your front wheel sinks into a breach, you may find yourself involved in a San Diego bicycle accident as you go tumbling over the handlebars.

Develop the habit of surveying the road for potential hazards. Spotting threats in advance make them easy and safe to handle. When you become aware of potholes, handle them the way you would debris, glass or other obstacles—check the traffic behind you and ride around the problem. In some cases it maybe more prudent to dismount and walk over or around the hazards.

Experienced cyclists understand how to use stop and turn evasive maneuvers and to maintain a high level of bike safety at the same time. Always check the traffic first, and stay mindful of other cyclists before changing your line. Employ hand signals to point out road hazards to others. Some other potential dangers to stay on the lookout for include:

• railroad tracks
• oil slicks
• outdated and broken grates
• wet metal

To help yourself and other bikers, jot down information concerning San Diego County road hazards, including a brief description of the problem and its location so that you can report the situation to the proper public works agency.  Below are local phone numbers:

San Diego bike accident attorney Frederick M. Dudek, a bicycle commuter, with over 30 years of cycling experience in San Diego and throughout California, offers this resource to you. If you need information about San Diego bike accident compensation, contact Attorney Dudek for a free no cost obligation to discuss your case.