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Tag Archives: Safety

Taking the Lane

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I’m sorry for slowing you down.

Legally speaking, California gives bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities to the roadway as motor vehicle drivers. And there are even a few instances where bicyclists can ride out in the traffic. Which is when you saw me.

I saw some conditions ahead that—if I had continued riding on the right—were unsafe. Here are common reasons permitted by law when I may ride out in traffic:

• Bad Road Surface Cracked, uneven, or pot-holed roads are a bigger hazard to me than cars because my tires are narrower. These conditions can grab my front wheel and knock me over into oncoming traffic.

• Obstacles in My Path Many times, there are garbage cans, glass, tree branches, or boxes in my lane. It would be unsafe to not avoid these.

• Parked Cars on the Right Hitting the door of a car can seriously hurt me when I ride at 15mph or more. Cyclists have been killed from being “doored”.

• Poor Visibility When buildings or trucks block the view of cars on the right coming into traffic, moving to my left gives me more time to respond to unsafe situations that may suddenly develop.

• The Lane Was Too Narrow Vehicles can drive too close if they try to squeeze by me in one lane. Cyclists are routinely hit by mirrors this way, and the wind from a vehicle’s draft can knock me over and put me under the wheels of following vehicles.

Please remember, it is better for both of us if I ride predictably—in a straight line—in traffic than if I were to weave in and out avoiding obstacles.

Chicago Bicyclists Face Daily Perils on Crowded Streets — chicagotribune.com

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This is nonsense:

Many Chicago streets are not designed for cyclists, said Sadowsky, and need engineering changes, such as more lighting, fewer parked cars and lane adjustments to reduce collisions.

If riders would ride as if they were cars, and if motorists would drive as if cyclists were slow-moving cars, there would be no problem.

Original article:

Chicago bicyclists face daily perils on crowded streets
“Many Chicago streets are not designed for cyclists, said Sadowsky, and need engineering changes, such as more lighting, fewer parked cars and lane adjustments to reduce collisions.”

Rethinking Helmets

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If nothing else, this is interesting.

For the most part, in the circles I ride (people–not actual circles), peer pressure is used to encourage others to wear helmets. And wearing helmets is a good thing. And if someone shows up without a helmet, well, we may look at them a little funny, somebody may even mention that they should have a helmet, but that’s it. Any sort of message is now over. The end-result? If the idiot gets in an accident, it’s their head. Their not wearing a helmet does not impact my safety at all. So, they get a little peer pressure, but they are not ostracized. They already know they’re not fitting in. No sense belaboring the point over something that really only effects one person. (Adults who are riding with children and aren’t wearing helmets is another subject.)

Occasionally, states will legislate mandatory helmet use. This is an attempt to force people to do the right thing, because, as we all know, we are sometimes our own worst enemies.

Well, this report from ABC’s John Stossel (20/20 program) brings up some very interesting issues. Particularly, it asks, “Does wearing a helmet make us safer?”

Personal Safety on the Bike Path

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This report from the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Office

Public Safety Notice -The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station is advising Canyon Country residents in the area of Hidaway Avenue and Soledad Canyon Road to be extra vigilant in reporting suspicious persons in the Santa Clara riverbed or loitering on or near the bicycle paths between Crossglade Avenue and Whites Canyon Road.’ Deputies have increased patrols and enforcement in the area after a woman reported that she was assaulted by an adult male who was armed with a knife last Thursday.’

The woman was walking in the Santa Clara Riverbed wash area near the bicycle path at approximately 5:00 a.m. when the man, described only as a male, 5’05-5’06, 210 pounds, wearing a white t-shirt, a black windbreaker type jacket, and black pants approached her from behind.’ The man reportedly put his hand over the woman’s mouth and held a knife to her.’ The woman screamed and fought with the attacker who threw her to the ground.’ The woman continued to struggle with the man, who then decided to run away.’ The woman was not injured.’ Deputies quickly responded and thoroughly searched the area, but the suspect was not located.’

‘The safety of the residents in the area is a number one priority,’ said Captain Anthony La Berge of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.’ ‘I have directed extra patrols and resources into the area to ensure the highest visibility, the greatest level of protection, and an increased opportunity to catch this bold individual,’ he added.’

Sheriff officials are advising residents to avoid walking alone in remote wash areas whenever possible and utilize frequently traveled and well-lighted walkways and pathways instead.’ By taking a few simple precautions, you can reduce the risk to yourself, and also discourage those who are intent on committing crime.’

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials are offering the following personal safety tips:

  • Always be alert and aware of the people around you, especially if you are alone or it is dark
  • Educate yourself concerning prevention tactics
  • Be aware of locations and situations which would make’ you vulnerable to crime, such as alleys, dark parking lots, and remote unlit or sparsely traveled walkways and pathways
  • Whenever possible, travel or walk with a friend
  • Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible
  • Avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys where someone could hide
  • Walk confidently, and at a steady pace
  • Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the street when other risk factors are present, continue walking
  • If you carry a purse, hold it securely between your arm and your body
  • Don’t set a pattern – use different routes of travel and varying times when walking, exercising, or leaving your house or place of business
  • Immediately report suspicious persons or vehicles to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station

Anyone with information regarding this crime should contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at (661) 255-1121.

(Via SCV Sheriff – News Room.)

Group Rides – Safety First

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This entry is part of a series: Group Riding»

I’ve gone into details about most of the aspects of riding in groups in the past. But apparently, the message is not getting through. Apparently, there are still some of you out there who aren’t reading carefully. On this morning’s group ride, there was an individual who was putting his own enjoyment above the safety of the group. This is a big “No-No”!

On any group ride, the safety of those around you is paramount. Most of the time, this means that you need to keep yourself safe as well. Riding predictably is the number one way to keep others safe. Weaving to the left and to the right, and speeding up and slowing down, are not examples of riding predictably.

When the group is in a tight-knit group and riding to the right of the lane (as instructed by California Vehicle Code) to allow cars to safely pass by, riding 4-feet to the left of the group and straddling the dividing line between lanes blocking traffic is rude to other roadway users and does not keep the safety of others in mind. If a car was to come too close, or–God forbid–clip you as it went by, you could easily spiral out of control and quickly move into the fast moving group of cyclists near you, causing damage to bodies and bikes.

When you actually are in tight with the group (where you should have been in the first place), and not out in the middle of traffic, failing to maintain a straight line (“Hold your line!”) and weaving side-to-side is not keeping the safety of others first. You could easily clip someone’s front wheel or knock their handlebars/arms with your shoulder. And just because you’re on the front of the group while doing this, does not mean someone from the group (or, God forbid!, someone not from the group!) won’t come riding by you at the exact moment you zigged when you should have zagged.

Speeding up and passing the group in order to sit on the front and slow down because you’re tired and moving back into the wheels of those behind you is not keeping the safety and pleasure of others around you in mind. We all have to start maneuvering around you, creating a more unsafe environment. Maintain a predictable and steady pace. If the group is not moving fast enough for you, you’re welcome to speed up and leave the group behind.

These are simple basics for riding in a group. I’m sorry, but if you cannot follow these simple procedures, you’ve failed the test. It’s time to move behind the group (and out of traffic), watch other riders, and practice in a an easier-to-control environment where you will do the least harm to others. Again, if the group is not moving fast enough to give you a good workout that day, feel free to leave the group and ride away from us. We’ll be happy to give you more room.

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