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.

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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Police Search for Hit-and-Run Driver Who Seriously Injured Cyclist

Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who injured a female cyclist on October 12. The unfortunate incident took place around 1:20 a.m. in Ocean Beach. The cyclist was traveling eastbound near the intersection of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and West Point Loma Boulevard when a pickup truck struck her. The driver continued towards Mission Bay Park without stopping. The cyclist, who remains unidentified, sustained a serious head injury. She was rushed to an area hospital for treatment. Police are looking for a white pickup truck with a camper shell, which will most likely have damage on the front end. The driver may face charges of reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, and minor traffic violations. After an accident, drivers often flee the scene to avoid the police. It is almost impossible to prove drug or alcohol involvement if a driver is not arrested at…
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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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