CALIFORNIA BICYCLE NEWS AND CYCLING SAFETY TIPS BLOG

Can a Cyclist Roll Through Stop Signs in California?

California is one of the most popular states for cycling and also a state with a high number of cycling-related injuries. From 2010-2016, fatal cycling accidents increased by 43% in the Bay Area alone, states the Mercury Report. With such high numbers, it seems logical that California legislature should be enacting cycling laws that can lower the amount of accidents on the roads. However, it seems the legislature has yet to agree on whether cyclists will be able to utilize the “California Roll,” known otherwise as the “Idaho stop,” while traveling through the city. The California Roll The colloquial term refers to a cyclist rolling through a stop sign. This means that the cyclist would be traveling towards a stop sign and, instead of slowing to a stop, would observe their surroundings for any pedestrians or vehicular traffic first. If none of these were present, the cyclist would be free…
Read More »

Questions and Answers About Food While Riding

What are the best foods to eat while cycling to keep your energy up? How often should you eat while cycling? Here are some common questions and answers regarding diet and cycling and how to keep your energy up during a long ride. Q: How long can I cycle without needing to eat? A: If you have eaten prior to riding, you should not need to refuel if your ride is under an hour long. After an hour has passed, you will want to consume small amounts of high GI carbohydrates, which help keep your blood glucose up and your muscles fueled. Aim for between 30 and 60 grams of carbohydrate per hour. Sports drinks, carbohydrate energy gels, jellied sweets, bananas and low fiber cereal or carbohydrate bars are all excellent providers of these essential carbohydrates. Q: How can I eat without feeling too full to ride? A: You will…
Read More »

What’s Stopping a Dockless Bike Sharing Program in San Diego?

Have you ever wished you could summon a bicycle with your smartphone, take it where you need to go, then leave it wherever you wish? Dockless bikes, which have locking rear wheels to use when the bikes are no longer needed, are rapidly becoming popular throughout California. Imperial Beach, National City, Coronado and many college campuses already have networks of dockless bikes. But will the trend reach San Diego, the largest market in the region? If so, it could be a while. The city has an exclusive deal with docked bike sharing provider DecoBike which could prevent any other companies from providing similar services. San Diego is the only city in the region where this potential conflict arises. Dockless bike companies believe that there is enough of a difference between docked bike sharing and dockless bike sharing that the exclusive contract does not preclude the implementation of dockless bike sharing. Allowing dockless bike sharing could be the key to bolstering bicycle ridership in San…
Read More »