May is National Bicycle Safety Month, an opportunity for
anyone concerned with staying safe on the road to focus on what we can do to
reduce the risk of bicycle accidents/collisions. The main goal of the effort is to spread
awareness of how everyone
who shares the road can work together to make our roads and streets
safer. In California, bicycle safety is
of particular interest, for several reasons. Transportation is at the forefront
for any of us in urban areas, and many commuters have turned to alternatives that
include public systems, ride-share and biking in response to increasingly
crowded roads and freeways. Another reason bicycles are an important part of a
discussion on road safety in California has to do with climate and environment
– A large part of our state allows for nearly year-round biking.
Californians may bike because of environmental concerns or
as exercise, in addition to easing their daily commute. But as the number of bicycles on the road
rises, so do the
numbers of bicycle related deaths. Those on their bikes, in addition to
pedestrians, are more vulnerable than someone behind the wheel of a car. We
should always emphasize safety for all drivers, bikers and pedestrians in
California but taking the opportunity to
focus on bicycles in particular is an important component of shaping a larger
transportation plan for our state. In
honor of Bicycle Safety Month, here is what all Californians should know about
being a cyclist or sharing the road with one.
The goal of a safe and efficient transportation network is
to streamline traffic in such a way that minimizes risk. Obeying the laws,
yielding right of way and taking the responsibility to protect oneself is
imperative in order to help ensure safety on the road. In California, each
party who uses the road has the responsibility
to follow the rules – bicycle riders are required to obey the same traffic
laws as drivers, and drivers must share the road with cyclists, like they would
with another vehicle – drivers must check for cyclists before turning or
merging or any action that requires it to be clear of any motorist or
obstruction. Ensuring bicycle safety
also includes an emphasis on certain rules of the road which drivers should
always abide by, such as avoiding distraction and never driving under the
influence.
For cyclists, there are several important laws that apply to
them directly, and obeying these can significantly reduce the risk of injury or
death. Some laws regarding operating
a bicycle in the California Vehicle Code include wearing a helmet at all
times for cyclists under the age of 18, using a bike line or staying as close
as possible to the right side when speed is below that of normal traffic and
maintaining a brake on any bicycle that is operated on a roadway. A great
resource is the California
Bicycle Coalition, which summarizes the California law pertinent to
cyclists.
What does the concept of safer streets look like in the near
future? Bike safety today depends on several elements working together to help
reduce collisions, property damage and/or injuries. Obeying traffic laws and
the rules of the road is the best thing we can do as drivers and cyclists.
Simultaneously, urban planners and engineers are working to build systems that
take into consideration all of the vehicles that share the road. Cars, buses,
bicycles and pedestrians all travel in different areas at different speeds, and
need clear directions as well as the optimum size and configuration of streets
and lanes. An example of the work being done is a current study regarding the treatment
of bicycles at intersections that aims to assess the best approach for
infrastructure that takes into account all of the factors that influence road
safety. One of the main objectives is to inform design that helps reduce the
variables which could lead to accidents involving bicycles. Here in Pasadena,
we could see the emergence of bicycle
detection systems at intersections, a technology which could remove some
obstacles to traffic flow and reduce safety risks.
Finally, we should recognize the importance of education and
communication. Promoting awareness is a key tool to maximizing safety on our
roads. If you have children who bike, make sure they know and adhere to all of the
applicable laws, and along those lines, bring up sharing the road when and if
you teach your teenager how to drive. If you’re a cyclist, pay attention to
certain areas or intersections that are particularly risky because of traffic
volume or infrastructure. There are also resources that you can access online
that provide safety videos and even help you find a bicycle safety class.
If we know what our responsibilities are on the road, and what we can all do to
encourage safety, we help contribute to a transportation system that works to
reduce injuries for everyone involved.
