CALIFORNIA BICYCLE NEWS AND CYCLING SAFETY TIPS BLOG

Cycling enthusiasts everywhere enjoy a hobby that is not only healthy, but also good for the environment and great for bonding with friends and family. Although cycling can be an extremely enjoyable activity, it can also be a dangerous one if cyclists and motorists fail to exercise caution. National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics show that in 2012, 726 cyclists were killed and another 49,000 were injured in motor vehicle accidents. Fortunately, there are ways that cyclists can stay safe and still enjoy a nice ride outdoors. How Can I Reduce My Chances of an Accident? A cyclist should always ride with traffic and never against it. This may seem like common sense to many, but cyclists die every year trying to work around traffic instead of working with it. Cyclists should always obey road signs, traffic lights and be sure to signal other drivers. Do not assume…
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On Monday, October 27, the Governors Highway Safety Association released a report saying that most fatal bicycle accidents happen in California and Florida. Between 2010 and 2012, cycling deaths increased 16 percent nationwide. Automotive fatalities only increased 1 percent during that time. During that period, 338 cyclists were killed in California and 329 were killed in Florida. Those states also had the largest increase in fatality rates of any other state. A top scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety noted “remarkable changes” in fatal accident victims. For example, men aged 20 and older made up 84 percent of rider deaths in 2012. In 1975, only 21 percent of cyclists who died matched that description. Some argue that more cyclists means more accidents, and cycling participation has increased in recent years. However, others believe that commuter cyclists may actually be to blame, because they ride at peak times with…
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