CALIFORNIA BICYCLE NEWS AND CYCLING SAFETY TIPS BLOG

How New Helmet Testing System is Keeping You Safe

Wearing a bike helmet is one of the most important safety rules of cycling. It can mean the difference between life and death in the event of a cycling accident. All bike helmets in the US must pass a series of safety tests. However, these test often don’t take into account the different angles you might hit your head upon impact or varying speeds at which the accident could occur. A new safety rating system was developed by Virginia Tech and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to ensure that cyclists are aware of how well helmets on the market are protecting them from injury. The study concluded that, though no helmets failed the new testing, some helmets provide more protection against injury than others. How The New System Differs From The Old IIHS, along with Helmet Lab, tested 30 popular adult bike helmets to standards that simulate more real-world…
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Six Tips for Protecting Yourself From Hot Weather While Cycling

The summer is heating up! It’s not only important for cyclist to be safe around motorists and pedestrians but also during the hot summer months. Protecting yourself from extreme heat during the summer can improve your safety and prevent heat-related illnesses. Here’s some tips for biking safety during the hot summer months: Look the part. Wearing technical cycling clothing may save you from a heatstroke. The fabrics in these garments help you to stay cool and sweat-free. Hydrate! Drinking water before, during, and after your ride will prevent heat exhaustion. Don’t drink too much water! Make sure to drink small amounts of water periodically throughout your ride to ensure you’re hydrated. Heat acclimation. Practice riding during cooler times of the days. Gradually build up your intensity and volume. Then practice riding during hotter times of the day. This gradual build will help your body acclimate to the hot summer days….
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Who Could Be Liable in a Bicycle Accident?

Statistics published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that more than 818 people died in bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles during 2015. Bicycle accidents can involve passenger cars, buses or trucks. While motor vehicles are a common cause of bicycle accidents, there are other parties who could be responsible. In addition to motor vehicles, the other parties responsible for a bicycle accident may include: Bicycle repair shops. These businesses may repair, modify or sometimes sell bicycles. However, they could make mistakes while performing repairs or they could sell a defective bicycle. For instance, you could be involved in an accident if a repair shop improperly repaired your brakes. Bicycle manufacturers. Like other products, bicycles may contain safety defects that raise the risk of an accident. Bicycle manufacturers may be liable for accidents caused by design or manufacturing defects. In this case, a cyclist or their loved ones…
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