If you are an avid cyclist and feel like you are seeing more of your two-wheeled brethren on the streets than ever before, you are not wrong. According to data furnished by the League of American Cyclists, the number of people who regularly commute by bicycle has increased 62 percent across the United States since 1990.
Unsurprisingly, San Francisco beats that number by quite a bit; we had a 302 percent increase in the number of biking commuters since 1990. We also rank as the #5 U.S. city in terms of the sheer number of cyclists — over 21,000 strong, or 4.4 percent of the overall city population.
But, to paraphrase a famous comic book uncle, with all this greatness in numbers comes great responsibility. Amateur and experienced bicyclists alike are guilty of cardinal sins that increase their risk on the road.
And while every bicycle accident should be investigated with the help of a bicycle accident and injury lawyer to give the injury victim a chance to recover medical costs, bicyclists can reduce their risk of an accident in general by adhering to the following tips for biking safely in San Francisco:
Obey Traffic Rules That Apply to Cars
With remarkably few exceptions, bicyclists are expected to follow the same rules for traffic flow and right-of-way as cars and other vehicles. This includes:
- Riding with the flow of traffic on the right-hand side of the roadway
- Not riding on sidewalks except in designated shared path areas or if you are under 14 years old
- Stopping completely for all stop signs and red lights
- Yielding right-of-way when turning or when crossing an open street from a stop sign
- Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Passing vehicles and other cyclists on the left
- Riding in designated biking lanes when they are available and present a safe route
- Using hand signals to indicate upcoming turns
Wear the Right Safety Equipment
If you think a bicycle helmet looks “uncool,” then you will really think your hospital gown looks uncool when recovering from a coma following a head injury. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that wearing a helmet can reduce your odds of such a head injury by 50 percent.
Also ensure that your bicycle brakes work properly and that you have at least one reflector in the front and rear of your bike. A white headlight is legally required when riding anytime at night or during sunrise or sunset, and a red taillight is recommended.
A working bell or horn is also needed to alert others of your presence or impending danger.
Other Important Tips for Biking Safely in San Francisco
- Stay focused — Avoid distractions like using your smartphone while riding
- Always leave at least one ear free from headphones
- Ride in single file in the rightmost available lane or in the biking path
- Ride in as straight of lines as possible; signal in advance of making turning maneuvers
- Avoid riding in car blind spots next to the rear wheel or within a few feet behind it
- Wear bright colors
- Ride single file
- Install a handlebar mirror to improve rearward visibility
- Review local San Francisco cycling laws
Even if you feel like you may have run afoul of some of these guidelines, remember that when you are injured you have a right to recover damages for your medical expenses and other costs. You can review your case and your available options for recovery by contacting a San Francisco bicycle accident lawyer today.
Leave a Reply