Category Archives: Cycling Accidents

Information about cycling accidents in and around San Diego with emphasis on bike law and bicycle safety from an experienced cyclist and bicycle crash attorney.

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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Mother Sues City of Coronado After Son Injured in Bike Wreck

A mother plans to sue the city of Coronado after her 15-year-old son was severely injured in a cycling accident. The woman blames excessive traffic near the Coronado Bridge for her son’s injury. The teenager was crossing the intersection of 4th Street and B Avenue when he was struck by a car. The young boy suffered an epidural hematoma from the accident, a type of traumatic brain injury. Investigators determined that the young boy was at fault for the accident, but his mother believes heavy traffic near the Coronado Bridge makes it impossible for cyclists to ride safely. “There is nothing that constrains the traffic between Orange Avenue and the bridge,” she claimed. “Then you see the highest speeds during peak hours and the speed builds as people approach the bridge.” According to the attorney for the victim’s mother, Coronado is liable, because the way her son crossed the street…
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New Law Requires Three Foot Buffer Zone Around Cyclists

On September 16, a new law goes into effect requiring drivers to leave three feet of buffer space when passing a cyclist. California’s current passing law states that drivers must leave a “safe distance,” but it does not specify how far. Cycling enthusiasts hope the new law will help protect bicyclists from aggressive drivers, who kill dozens of cyclists every year. Many of the supporters are family members who have lost loved ones in cycling accidents, like a Chula Vista couple whose son was killed on August 8. California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed similar laws in 2011 and 2012, arguing that certain provisions could have been dangerous. Certain drafts of the bill would have allowed drivers to cross a double yellow line to pass a cyclist, or required them to slow down to 15 mph when passing within three feet. Brown argued that these conditions could lead to more accidents…
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