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.

Cyclist Killed in Accident During Organized Ride

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Dudek Law Firm

An 18-year-old cyclist was killed in a bicycle accident on UCLA’s campus on August 28, according to sources. Reports indicate that cyclist Jerico Culata lost control and crashed into a wall during the Critical Mass ride. Critical Mass is an organized monthly ride that takes place in over 300 cities around the world. Witnesses say Culata was riding down a steep hill followed by a sharp turn when he lost control. Culata was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries. Two other cyclists were injured in unrelated crashes during the ride. Their conditions were not made available to the press. “A lot of people aren’t from around here, so they didn’t know that it was a hill going and it was just a quick stop,” said cyclist Jose Barbarena. “You had to turn, so some of them just took the hill all the way down without…
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Cyclist Killed after Motorist Fails to Yield; No Charges Filed

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Dudek Law Firm

A St. Helena cyclist died in a collision with a BMW on August 18, according to sources. Cyclist Richard Becker, 54, was riding his Concorde Gavina bicycle when he was struck by a motorist making a left turn. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) identified the motorist as Kimberly Kingman, 39, of Napa. Becker was thrown from his bicycle onto the pavement. According to CHP records, Becker was riding downhill and there were no stop signs at the intersection when Kingman crossed into his path. Becker had the right-of-way. Paramedics rushed Becker to the hospital, where he died of his injuries. Kingman suffered minor injuries and was released at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. As more people are switching to bicycles for sport or transportation, motorists must learn to share the road, especially in urban areas. “While there may be some lawbreaking among the cycling population, very few if…
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Cyclists Ride West Coast for a Good Cause

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Dudek Law Firm

A group of 27 cyclists are riding along the Pacific Coast to raise money and awareness for the Fuller Center for Housing, a Georgia-based nonprofit that builds homes for the poor. The ride began in Seattle on July 15 and finishes in San Diego, where the cyclists will repair two houses in Oceanside. “I’ve been on two [bike rides], east coast and west coast,” says participant Carmen Price, 20, from Tennessee. “This has the scenery. That had the cities. We went from Saco, Maine, to Key West, Florida.” The participants agreed to raise money before the ride as well as solicit donations along the way. “This summer we’ve raised about $170,000,” says Ryan Iafigiola, director of field operations for the Fuller Center. “Our goal is $200,000. That money goes to offer people opportunities to have a simple, decent place to live. We do a lot of renovations and repairs.” This…
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