Bicycle Safety Tips
Bicycle Safety Tips
On June 11, 2011, a drunk truck driver collided with an intoxicated bicyclist in the North Fair Oaks area of San Mateo County, about 30 miles south of San Francisco. CHP officers say the bicyclist was wearing dark clothes and did not have any lights on his bicycle. He suffered a broken back, broken leg, and cuts to his head. To add salt to his wounds, the bicyclist was cited for operating a bicycle while intoxicated.
We can learn a few good lessons from this incident. First, it’s always important to make yourself visible to others on the road, especially at night. Wearing bright clothing or apply reflective tape to existing clothes will increase your visibility to motorists that share the road. If your bicycle doesn’t include reflectors, it would do you well to equip your bicycle with them. As always, lights and a helmet are always good to have for your own safety. Second, never ever operate any vehicle while under the influence of any substance whatsoever. You place yourself and others at an unnecessary risk.
In a city like San Francisco, motorists and bicyclists are sharing the road now more than ever (and at all times of the day and night). To maximize your safety on the road, it is best to do everything in your power, including implementing the tips mentioned above. It is also best to never assume that a motorist will give you the right of way. Because cycling is becoming an ever popular mode of transportation, it is best to remember that cars and bicycles share the road equally and must follow all traffic laws as well.
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