Tag Archives: San Diego bike lanes

Controversial Study Suggests Bicycle Helmets Put Cyclists at Risk

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Dudek Law Firm

A 2006 research study from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom shows that there may be some risks to cyclists riding with a helmet, which sounds counterintuitive. Dr. Ian Walker gathered data using a bicycle modified with a computer and an ultrasonic sensor to measure the distance of 2,500 motor vehicles attempting to pass the bicycle on a road. Dr. Walker tested the distance of cars attempting to pass a cyclist wearing a helmet as opposed to cyclist not wearing a helmet. On average, cyclists pass a motorist wearing a helmet almost 4 inches closer on average than helmetless riders. “This study shows that when drivers overtake a cyclist, the margin for error they leave is affected by the cyclist’s appearance,” said Dr. Walker, according to press release from the University of Bath. “By leaving the cyclist less room, drivers reduce the safety margin that cyclists need to…
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Cyclist Injured in Orange County Bicycle Accident

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Dudek Law Firm

A bicyclist was taken to a hospital after an accident in Buena Park on June 5, according to the Orange County Register. Police told reporters they believed the motorist struck one or two vehicles before hitting the cyclist. The cyclist, who was not identified, is expected to survive the injuries. The accident remains under investigation. The investigation should answer some of the many questions surrounding this incident. If, in fact, the driver hit at least one or two other vehicles before the cyclist, this could be an instance of drunk driving or distracted driving, and the driver can expect to face charges. Cyclists and motorists must always be cautious while driving, but there are steps that community leaders and legislators can take to prevent bicycle accidents, such as installing bike lanes on roads. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), about 25 percent of cyclists have roads…
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San Francisco Man Giving Cyclists and City Planners Headaches

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Dudek Law Firm

Most everyone would agree that there are many health benefits to cycling, in fact, it is one of the main reasons people choose to cycle instead of drive or use public transportation. One man in San Francisco, however, may not agree. At least he claims he does not. Rob Anderson, 69, is using a state legal loophole to stall the development of 1,600 miles of bike lanes in California, according to SmartPlanet.com. Anderson successfully sued San Francisco in 2006 for failing to properly conduct environmental studies before making bike lanes. The studies are required by state law. It stalled the project for three years. Needless to say, Anderson has not made many friends in the cycling community. “The city insists on screwing up our streets on behalf of the Bicycle Coalition and a small, obnoxious minority of bike people,” claims Anderson. “It’s political correctness run amok.” As ridiculous as Anderson’s…
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