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.

Local Cyclist Killed in Accident

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Dudek Law Firm

A Santa Cruz man died in a bicycle accident on May 12, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Stephen Pollard was riding on King Street when lost control of his bicycle, flipping over the handlebars. Pollard, 75, was knocked unconscious by the fall but was breathing, according to Lt. Larry Richard of the Santa Cruz Police Department. Several bystanders rushed to his aid and emergency responders took him to Dominican Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Coroner’s officials have not released an official cause of death and the accident remains under investigation. Pollard was wearing a bicycle helmet at the time. Jim Langley, a cycling advocate, befriended Pollard about 25 years ago over a game of ping-pong. Langley and Pollard formed the Santa Cruz Table Tennis Club. Langley also shared his other passion with Pollard—cycling. In fact, Langley gave Pollard the cycle he was riding at the time…
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May is National Bicycle Safety Month

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Dudek Law Firm

May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is urging cyclists and parents to practice safe cycling habits. Cycling is a great way to spend some time outdoors, stay in shape and get around your community, but it certainly comes with some risks. According to the Lake County News, fatal bicycle accidents in California have remained at a flat rate the last two years, but injuries have increased 4.6 percent. “Bike Month is a great occasion for Californians, whether out with friends or family or on their own, to strap on a helmet, hop on a bike, and see just how fun and welcoming our streets and bike paths have become,” said OTS Director Christopher Murphy. “Californians now see biking as a real transportation option. The key is to ensure that biking is safe for everyone.” So be sure to follow all bicycle safety…
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Bike Share Users Reluctant to Wear Helmets

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Dudek Law Firm

Bike sharing programs–which allow cyclists to share a variety of bikes without purchasing them–are becoming increasingly popular across the country, particularly in urban areas. These programs are great for casual cyclists or those new to cycling. However, a recent study indicates that over 80% of those using these programs do not wear a bicycle helmet, according to MyHealthNewsDaily.com. This statistic is disturbing considering the magnitude of the risks associated with cycling without a helmet. “Head injury accounts for about a third of all bicycle injuries and about three-quarters of bicycle related deaths, so these are some pretty shocking numbers,” says Christopher Fischer of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, lead author of the study. The study focused on persons using bike share programs in Washington D.C. and Boston, where they are extremely popular. Fischer suspected that many cyclists did not use helmets, but not this many. “We were surprised to find…
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