Category Archives: Bike Safety

San Diego bicycle safety best practices and California bike law information for help understanding the rules of the road for bikes.

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…
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Proper Braking Techniques for San Diego Cyclists

Braking is one of the most essential skills for a cyclist to master, but even if you have been riding since you were a kid, you may not know everything there is to know about safe, effective and proper braking. When you apply the brake, push your body weight backwards. When you brake, your body naturally shifts forward toward the front wheel, meaning that the majority of your braking power goes to the front brake. By leaning back, you even out your braking power, making it easier to control your bike and brake effectively. This is especially useful if you must brake from high speed; it helps prevent flying over your handlebars. To practice this technique, you can do emergency stops in a parking lot or a grass field. Avoid braking while turning. Ideally, you want to slow down, get low and take your turns smoothly, but if you absolutely…
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San Diego Bicycle Master Plan Vote Delayed

San Diego’s Bicycle Master Plan, an initiative to expand the city’s network of bike lanes to make cycling safer, faster and more efficient, was passed in 2013, but has recently come across a snag in its implementation. The San Diego City Council was scheduled to vote to speed up the plan’s implementation, but that vote has since been delayed. According to bicycle advocates, the plan may not be strong enough to accomplish the City Council’s goals. The Bicycle Master Plan The Bicycle Master Plan is a part of the city’s Climate Action Plan, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in San Diego, the majority of which are produced from cars and trucks. To accomplish this reduction in emissions, the city must heavily focus on changing commuting habits. It is hoped, under the plan, that by 2020, 6 percent of San Diegans living near major public transit stops will be…
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