Category Archives: General News

General cycling blog news about bicycling in San Diego, bicycle accident prevention tips and information about local bicycling events.

San Diego County Receives $75K Grant from OTS for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has awarded San Diego County $75,000 to fund their bicycle and pedestrian safety program through 2019.   Administered by San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency, the goal of the program is to reduce the number of cycling and pedestrian injuries and fatalities through safety education for children and adults. Special attention is made to promote distraction-free cycling and helmet compliance. Though bicycle fatalities decreased more than eight percent nationwide between 2016 and 2017, bicycle safety continues to be a top priority for cities like San Diego where cycling is prevalent and there is always a risk for an accident. Bicycle accidents can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries. However, following safety precautions could decrease your accident risk. It’s not too late to learn, use and teach bicycle safety in your life. For children, the program administers fun but educational activities like bicycle…
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New NHTSA Data Shows Decrease in Nationwide Bicycle Fatalities

According to new data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bicycle fatalities declined between 2016 and 2017 by the greatest margin in occupant and nonoccupant traffic crash fatalities. Bicycle fatalities decreased by over eight percent, while pedestrian fatalities decreased by less than two percent. Tips to Avoid a Bicycle Accident in California Follow the helmet law. Under California Vehicle Code, bicyclists younger than 18 years of age must wear properly-fitted helmets while riding on a public road. Nationwide, California has one of the strictest statewide helmet laws for bicyclists. Many states do not have bicycle helmet laws and those that do set the age requirement lower than California. Though a helmet is always recommended for safety, adults 18 years of age and older are not required to wear helmets while bicycling. Avoid distracted cycling. Distracted cycling includes carrying packages or groceries that would prevent a cyclist from…
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How Can Cyclists Protect Themselves from Angry Drivers?

You have probably experienced road rage if you regularly cycle around San Diego. Some motorists believe that cyclists and cars should not share the road. Angry motorists may honk loudly, speed, improperly change lanes, ignore traffic signs or even intentionally swerve into the path of cyclists. Road rage can lead to confrontations that can endanger the lives of cyclists, pedestrians or other motorists. Four Bicycle Safety Tips to Prevent a Road Rage Accident There are right and wrong ways to react to an angry driver. You may use the following tips to protect yourself if you are harassed by an angry motorist. Don’t engage an angry motorist. You may have heard the old proverb “discretion is the better part of valor.” This is especially true when you are being harassed by an angry driver. Instead of reacting and aggravating the situation, you could ignore this person. If you do engage…
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