Tag Archives: bicycle safety laws

Alcohol and Cycling Don’t Mix!

When people think of driving under the influence, they usually associate it with driving a car or a truck. Many people do not realize that cyclists are subject to the same laws as motorists. California law [V C Section 21200.5] states that “it is unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle upon a highway under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug, or under the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug. Any person arrested for a violation of this section may request to have a chemical test made of the person’s blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining the alcoholic or drug content of that person’s blood pursuant to Section 23612, and, if so requested, the arresting officer shall have the test performed.” People tend to think that you are less of a threat on a bicycle than operating a car if…
Read More »

Posted in Bike Safety, Cycling Accidents | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Analyzing Bicycle Accident Statistics

Bicycling is one of the best ways to enjoy lovely Southern California, and the combination of beaches, great weather and many bike paths make for a cyclist’s paradise. With other cyclists, motorists and pedestrians to worry about it certainly is not the safest hobby, but there are things you can do to minimize the risk. Here are some bicycle accident statistics, provided by the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (released in 20210): 630 cyclists died on the roadways in 2009 in the United States—this is down from 718 in 2008. There were 1,003 fatalities in 1975. 2% of all traffic fatalities in 2009 were from bicycle accidents. 51,000 cyclists were injured in bicycle accidents in 2009, up from 43,000 in 2007. The average age of a cyclist killed in an accident is 41. The average age of a cyclist injured in an accident is 31. 93 cyclists aged 15 and under…
Read More »

Posted in Bike Safety, Cycling Accidents | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Officer Returns to Work After Serious Bicycle Accident

A police officer from Mason, Ohio is back on the job after an impressive recovery from a traumatic brain injury, according to MasonBuzz.com. Officer John Cullen nearly died after an off-duty bicycle accident back in May. He was out cycling alongside his dog near his Loveland, Ohio, home when the accident occurred. Doctors initially told Cullen it would be 6 months before he could return to work and a year before he could resume his regular patrol duties. Witnesses reported seeing Cullen lose control of his bike before falling. Cullen’s dog then ran into the street and stopped traffic. Cullen was rushed to the hospital, where physicians initially believed he suffered a concussion. He had actually fractured his skull in two different places. He spent 14 days in intensive care. Doctors medically released Cullen to return to work at full capacity on December 5, far ahead of schedule. “It was…
Read More »

Posted in Cycling Accidents | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment