Each year in California, more than 100 bicyclists are killed and over 10,000 are injured in collisions, commonly caused by bicyclists’ and/or motorists’ behavior, lack of skill, or attention. Here are four basic bicycling safety tips to help everyone stay safe on our roads:
- Maintain Control of Your Bicycle:
- Ensure your bicycle is the right size and properly adjusted to fit you.
- Ensure your bicycle is in good working order by inspecting it regularly.
- Protect Yourself:
- Properly fitted helmets provide protection from a potentially life-threatening head injury. By law, riders under 18 years old must wear a bicycle helmet while riding on a public road
- Be Visible and Alert:
- Be prepared to stop for vehicles waiting at stop signs, driveways, etc. or to take evasive action relating to vehicles that may not see you.
- Use hand signals before making turns or changing lanes to warn traffic around you.
- Using lights and reflectors at night is the law. During darkness, bicyclists should also avoid wearing dark clothing.
- Ride in a Safe Lane Position:
- Ride in the same direction as traffic so you are more visible to drivers.
- Keep your eyes on the road ahead to avoid hazards in the roadway.
- Watch out for opening doors on parked cars.
- When available, use a bicycle lane, but watch out for cars merging into these lanes to make a right turn.
Together, we can share our roads and make them a safer place for bicyclist and motorists!
This information was taken, in part, from the Department of Motor Vehicles “Sharing the Road” brochure. For the entire brochure, click here.