CALIFORNIA BICYCLE NEWS AND CYCLING SAFETY TIPS BLOG

Oceanside Cyclist Killed in Hit and Run

Oceanside police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who fatally injured a bicyclist and then fled the scene. An employee of the San Luis Rey Water Treatment Plant found the victim lying in the road near the facility at 6 a.m. on Sunday, September 21. The man found the victim and his badly damaged bike on North River Road near Baker Street, along with evidence of a crash. First responders tried to revive the victim, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are holding off on revealing the cyclist’s identity until his family can be notified. Police found evidence of a collision at the scene, including tire marks, glass shards and other debris.  Investigators believe the hit-and-run car was a lime green Kia Soul from 2012 or 2013. After the accident, the car would be missing a headlight and have front-end damage on the passenger side. Anyone with…
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Could San Diego Be Getting Its First Bike Park?

The bike trails at Mission Hills Regional Park have always been challenging, but some cyclists are complaining that the tracks have become too dangerous, even for experienced riders. More than 500 cyclists visit Mission Hills every weekend. The loop was built 10 years ago for professional BMX racers, and hundreds of biking videos on YouTube have documented the trail’s difficulty. Events like the recent “Explore Mission Trails Day” are popular with families, but critics say the ride is not safe for children or new riders. “These [hills] are nuts. I wouldn’t even go over these things,” said one concerned parent. “It’s just not safe.” Critics are petitioning the park to rebuild the track from scratch after getting input from local bike trail experts. This time, the trail would include San Diego’s first bike park. Parents envision a world-class bike park for all rider levels, to make the trails a more…
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Mother Sues City of Coronado After Son Injured in Bike Wreck

A mother plans to sue the city of Coronado after her 15-year-old son was severely injured in a cycling accident. The woman blames excessive traffic near the Coronado Bridge for her son’s injury. The teenager was crossing the intersection of 4th Street and B Avenue when he was struck by a car. The young boy suffered an epidural hematoma from the accident, a type of traumatic brain injury. Investigators determined that the young boy was at fault for the accident, but his mother believes heavy traffic near the Coronado Bridge makes it impossible for cyclists to ride safely. “There is nothing that constrains the traffic between Orange Avenue and the bridge,” she claimed. “Then you see the highest speeds during peak hours and the speed builds as people approach the bridge.” According to the attorney for the victim’s mother, Coronado is liable, because the way her son crossed the street…
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