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.

What Can Cyclists Do to Stay Safe On the Road?

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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Is California Dangerous for Cyclists?

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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How Can I Stay Safe Riding in the Dark?

As winter arrives, more and more cyclists will ride home from work in the dark, especially with daylight-saving time ending this past Sunday. Low visibility is one of the leading causes of bicycle crashes, and distracted drivers can miss cyclists in the dark. Most accidents happen during the day, but nighttime collisions are more dangerous. Only 22 percent of all injuries occur at night, but more than 45 percent of those injuries were fatal or permanently disabling. Do I Need Lights to Ride My Bike at Night? Visibility is the key to staying safe while riding in the dark. The state of California has laws requiring cyclists to use lights and reflectors while cycling at night, which are highlighted in the diagram below. We also have much more information available about the California cycling laws if you click here. A white headlamp that lights at least 300 feet into the front…
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