CALIFORNIA BICYCLE NEWS AND CYCLING SAFETY TIPS BLOG

What Can Cyclists Learn From John Kerry’s Bicycle Accident?

A bicycle accident involving Secretary of State John Kerry may have just set back talks over Iran’s nuclear program. Secretary of State John Kerry was cycling in Geneva when he crashed and fractured his right femur. After the accident, John Kerry was quickly escorted by helicopter to a nearby hospital. John Kerry was in Geneva to meet with Iranian officials over an upcoming deadline on Iran’s nuclear program, making his bicycle accident an extremely serious one. Instead of flying back to the U.S. as scheduled, John Kerry was kept in Geneva overnight before returning home in a cargo plane. On the cargo plane was a team of medical professionals and other staff to help maintain John Kerry’s health during the trip back to the U.S. Once home, John Kerry was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital to set a broken femur. According to witnesses, John Kerry’s accident happened after he struck…
Read More »

Will 3D-Printed Bicycles Change Cycling Forever?

Imagine a future where you can download schematics for a product from the internet, and then use a 3D printer to create the product in the middle of your living room. Such a future is almost here, and cyclists may soon be able to print their own bicycles. 3D printing is the process of using digital schematics and materials such as plastic to print real-world objects. The technology has caught the close attention of NASA, which plans to use 3D printers in space to create tools and other objects. A design firm in Oregon has recently developed a 3D-printed titanium bicycle, which could possibly change the cycling industry. In the past, people who designed bicycles relied on engineers and others to help them complete a final product. With 3D printing, the schematics are uploaded onto a computer and created by a machine using advanced software. In addition to making manufacturing…
Read More »

What Makes a State Bicycle Friendly?

California is known for rolling hills, sandy beaches and beautiful weather, and it is a given that cycling in such a perfect environment would be a pleasant experience. However, infrastructure, traffic safety laws and other aspects can play an important role in determining what makes a state “bicycle friendly”. The League of American Bicyclists has ranked California the eighth most bicycle friendly state for cyclists. Which states came ahead of California? The state of Washington, followed by Minnesota, Delaware, Massachusetts and Utah. Rankings are based on several criteria, such as: Texting and driving bans Cycling safety advocacy Cycling infrastructure Legal protections for cyclists By looking at what the top states did right and what the bottoms ones did wrong, our readers should get a better understanding of what it takes to be a top cycling state. In Washington, there is a high level of state funding for cycling infrastructure, safety…
Read More »