Throughout the month of May, bicycle organizations such as the California Bicycle Coalition are promoting bicycle safety and awareness.
This month there will be various activities and events arranged by local nonprofits as well as government agencies aimed at educating the public about riding safely, as well as motorists sharing the roadway with bicyclists. Johnson Attorneys Group is aware of various events such as group rides, bicycle safety clinics, and educational programs for both cyclists and drivers.
Bicycle Safety Equipment
There’s no question that helmets save lives. Bicycle safety advocates advise riders to wear a helmet because it protects the skull from more serious head injuries.
“People riding bicycles share the road with all types of motorists. Some speed, others run red lights and about a third will drive drunk,” said Attorney James Johnson, founder of Johnson Attorneys Group. “While it may be impossible to avoid a collision with a careless driver, bicyclists can take precautions to limit or prevent serious injuries by wearing a helmet and following the rules of the road.”
Indeed, the state of California reported roughly 8,800 bicycle crashes with 90 percent of them involving an injury in 2020. Furthermore, 151 people died in bicycle crashes that same year, according to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.
Riding Bicycles on Sidewalks
A person riding a bicycle is especially at risk for being hit by a car or truck when there is no designated bike lane. Recently, Assembly Bill 825 (Bryan) came before the Assembly Committee on Transportation on Monday, March 20th. The proposed bill would legalize bicycle riding on sidewalks when streets and highways do not provide a Class I, Class II, or Class IV bikeway. The cyclists would be limited to 10 mph on the sidewalk and must yield to pedestrians. The law would give people on bikes a safe, legal option to ride.
“More and more people are taking up bike riding, and it is important that drivers are aware of bicyclists and travel safely around them,” said Barbara Rooney, director, California Office of Traffic Safety. “If you need to move past a bike, try to provide at least three feet of space whenever possible. Think of others on the road who are not driving as your closest friends or family.”
Motorists can take these steps to make roads safer for cyclists:
- Check blind spots when changing lanes
- Proceed with caution into intersections
- Watch out for bicyclists and pedestrians before making a turn
- Check for cyclists before opening the car door near streets or bike paths
- California law also requires drivers to maintain a minimum of three feet of distance when passing or overtaking a cyclist. If there is not enough room to safely pass, be patient and wait until it is safe..
Finally, Johnson Attorneys Group would like to remind all motorists that Bicycle Safety Month will keep roads safer for cyclists. Let’s all be mindful and respectful of one another on the road.
