CALIFORNIA BICYCLE NEWS AND CYCLING SAFETY TIPS BLOG

Toms Skujins Bike Crash: Concussions Are No Laughing Matter

Latvian cyclist Toms Skujins showed that he isn’t one to let a crash slow him down when he hopped back on his bike after a serious tumble in the second stage of the Tour of California. However, he soon discovered that he had been injured more seriously than he originally anticipated. Video footage shows him stumbling and staggering as he attempts to remount his bike following the crash, which left him with road rash, a broken collarbone and a minor traumatic brain injury. Skujins was pulled from the race later that day. He is a two-time stage winner of the Tour of California, but his cycling is taking a backseat to recovery. The cyclist seemed in good spirits, posting later to social media to advise his fans not to get into a fight with tarmac, because it’s a losing battle. Head Injuries in Bicycle Accidents A 2013 study by the…
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Activists Express Concerns about San Diego Bicycle Programs

Bicycling has many benefits: health, traffic reduction and it’s better for the environment than most cars. San Diego is a great city for cycling, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have our shortcomings. Activists are pushing for quicker implementation of the city’s Bicycle Master Plan. The Bicycle Master Plan provides a framework for making cycling more practical and convenient for residents of San Diego. The plan was approved in 2013 and is intended to create an interconnected network of bike lanes throughout the city. It is a big part of the city’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since the passage of the plan, 15 percent of proposed bike lane miles have been implemented and 22 percent of the existing network has been improved. The Bike Advisory Committee will soon start working with transportation engineers and the city to implement the plan faster. One of the reasons the plan is…
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Be a “Roll Model” – Encourage Cycling Safety in California

The California Office of Traffic Safety is encouraging cyclists in the state to become “roll models.” The effort comes during May, which is National Bicycle Safety Month. Roll models are cyclists who are actively decreasing the risks of traffic crashes, preventable injuries and deaths. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 818 cyclists died and over 45,000 were injured in 2015. Cycling deaths increased 12 percent from 2014, highlighting the need for comprehensive education and awareness efforts. How to Be a Roll Model Ride and Drive Focused. Avoid distractions while cycling, such as listening to music. Ride and Drive Prepared. Cycling accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and can lead to catastrophic accidents and injuries. Prepare and expect the unexpected. Safety First. Make sure you never get on a bicycle without a helmet. Ensure night safety by making sure you have all of the needed reflectors…
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