Compared to motor vehicle drivers, cyclists are vulnerable to very severe injuries during an accident. Bicycles do not have the same large tires and metal shells as cars. Collisions between the two can be catastrophic and result in significant damage.
Many injuries can occur in a bicycle collision, from traumatic brain damage to broken bones and fractures. If you ride a bicycle in California, it is important to be aware of these risks and take steps to protect yourself on the road.
Head Injuries
While helmets can reduce the risk of very serious brain injuries, head injuries are some…
In California, cyclists are free to share the road with motorists, except in places where it is prohibited. Bikes are considered vehicles, and many traffic laws apply specifically to cyclists. However, there is often confusion regarding what a bicycle can and cannot do on the road.
As a cyclist, you have the same rights and responsibilities as a motorist. You must always follow the rules of the road—including stopping for stop signs and red lights. Not only is this the law, but obeying traffic signs can help significantly reduce the risk of an accident.
California Cyclists Are Required to Stop…
It’s no secret that cyclists are extremely vulnerable to injuries on the road. From distracted drivers to motorists who fail to yield the right of way, many hazards could lead to a bicycle accident. To help reduce the risk of these incidents, California has passed several important bicycle laws, including the Three Feet for Safety Act.
The three feet bicycle passing law helps protect cyclists from accidents caused by drivers who follow too closely. This law requires all motorists to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance from any part of their vehicles.
An Overview of the Three Feet…
In San Francisco and all over California, in busy intersections and congested parking lots, danger seems to lurk around every corner for cyclists. Bicycle riders always need to be on the alert; particularly for distracted drivers and other motorists not maintaining a proper lookout for bikes when behind the wheel. Let’s take a look at these two particularly dangerous locations, intersections and parking lots, and see what bikers can do to try to stay safer.
From reviewing hundreds of San Francisco bicycle accident cases, I have learned that the most hazardous places for bikes are intersections. Many bicycle riders seem…
A boy was struck and killed earlier this month after colliding with a flatbed truck, according to Palo Alto police.
The boy and the truck were both headed east on California avenue around 7:45pm, the boy riding his bike on the sideway, when the truck made a right turn onto El Camino Real, colliding with the boy who was then crossing the road.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the truck, a man in his 60’s, stayed at the scene and has been cooperating with police. He was not arrested or cited, and the…
