CALIFORNIA BICYCLE NEWS AND CYCLING SAFETY TIPS BLOG

Bike Share Users Reluctant to Wear Helmets

Bike sharing programs–which allow cyclists to share a variety of bikes without purchasing them–are becoming increasingly popular across the country, particularly in urban areas. These programs are great for casual cyclists or those new to cycling. However, a recent study indicates that over 80% of those using these programs do not wear a bicycle helmet, according to MyHealthNewsDaily.com. This statistic is disturbing considering the magnitude of the risks associated with cycling without a helmet. “Head injury accounts for about a third of all bicycle injuries and about three-quarters of bicycle related deaths, so these are some pretty shocking numbers,” says Christopher Fischer of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, lead author of the study. The study focused on persons using bike share programs in Washington D.C. and Boston, where they are extremely popular. Fischer suspected that many cyclists did not use helmets, but not this many. “We were surprised to find…
Read More »

SUV Strikes San Diego Cyclist in Bicycle Lane

A bicycle accident claimed the life of 63-year-old Charles Raymond Gilbreth, according to 10News.com. A Chrysler SUV struck Gilbreth from behind as he was riding on Montezuma Road in San Diego. Responders pronounced him dead on the scene. The driver of the SUV remained on the scene after the accident and called 911. According to San Diego Police Lt. Andra Brown, Gilbreth was riding in the bicycle lane. According to reports, speed was not a factor and alcohol was not involved in the accident. The driver was not cited and the accident remains under investigation. Many questions still remain. How did the driver not see the cyclist,who was in front of the SUV? Why were no citations issued, especially if Gilbreth was riding in the bicycle lane? This sounds like it could be a case of a distracted driver. The San Diego police owe it to the victim’s family to…
Read More »

The Ride Connection Unites Riders

TheRideConnection.com is a great website to interact with other members nearby in your cycling community as well as cyclists all over the world. The forum allows cyclists to meet each other and communicate online, as well as meet up to enjoy rides together. Users can create an account for free; here are some of the features of this site: Sets you up with riders based on your location, schedule and other preferences. Search for other members, riding groups and routes. Schedule rides, parties or other activities. Get to know future riding partners through anonymous emails. The Ride Connection is a great resource for cyclists. Users can alert other riders of possible hazards and riding conditions of nearby bike paths. You can search for other riders to join based on experience and skill level as well. As more riders join the networking site, it will become a more useful tool. Anytime…
Read More »