Southern California Bicycle Law Blog

National Bike to Work Week ran from May 13 to May 17. While the goal of the week was to get people to consider spending more time on their bikes, promoting cycling and reducing the number of cars on the road in California, it also served another purpose: drawing attention to just how dangerous biking can be.

In 2017, coroner's records show that 16 people lost their lives while cycling in Orange County alone. Last year, the number was at least 14. It seems like more than a dozen people get into these deadly accidents year in and year out.

Any bicycle rider can become annoyed discussing the subject of car-bicycle collisions. Like motor vehicle operators, bicycle riders have their share of lawbreakers; however, because of the disparity in numbers, bicycle-pedestrian accidents are relatively uncommon. Most cyclists ride defensively, constantly watching for obstacles in their path. Bicycle riders are particularly cautious when riding near pedestrians since, with no warning, people on foot randomly veer in any direction. Adults are bad enough, but children are even more likely to run directly into the path of a bicycle.

When a bicycle rider does injure a pedestrian, the media abundantly responds. A bicyclist-pedestrian crash is a novelty—and an opportunity for news sources to inflame auto drivers' bias toward the "superior moral attitude" of cyclists. 

Bicycle accident injuries can be incredibly serious, even in an accident that does not appear all that significant from the outside. You do not have to get hit by a car that runs a red light, for instance, to suffer substantial injuries or even pass away.

A recent accident in California underscored this possibility. The tragic accident took the life of an 11-year-old boy.

Los Angeles frequently ranks among the worst cities for bicyclists to commute. The city is bad enough with cars, as you can tell any time you try to drive through the 405. However, bicyclists have less protection than motorists, and they are more susceptible to serious injury when there is an accident. 

In 2014, LA Weekly reported on the most dangerous streets for bicyclists in Los Angeles. Although officials have made efforts to make city streets safer for bicyclists, numerous accidents still happen every year on certain intersections. It is vital for bicyclists to be safe when they ride down these streets, but motorists also have a responsibility to ensure there is enough room for everyone to reach their destinations safely.