RideSafe

Essential Community Guide to Bicycle Safety

Although riding your bicycle is a fun and eco-friendly way to travel, bicyclists are left almost as vulnerable as a pedestrian when riding. Each year the emergency departments see almost 120,000 non-fatal injuries and nearly 1,000 deaths per year.1

Thankfully there are tips and guides that we can use to help keep everyone safe, no matter whether you are headed to work, school, or just out with your family and friends for a ride.2

Let’s work together to make Orange County a place where everyone—walkers, bikers, drivers—can move safely.

Tips for Everyone

Before Heading Out

Check your bicycle

  • Having a proper size bike can make it easier to control your bicycle and avoid collisions
    • Required by CVC 21201: The bike must be small enough for the rider to stop, support it with one foot on the ground, and start safely
  • Ensuring the proper air pressure can help make for a smooth ride
  • Cuts and tears in your tires can lead to collisions occurring
  • Testing your brakes before you head out can help prevent collisions during your ride
    • Required by CVC 21201: Bicycles must have a brake that allows the rider to make one braked wheel skid on dry pavement
  • The chain should be tight, clean, and lubricated

Helmet Use and Fit

  • Helmets reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury
  • A proper fitting helmet sits level on the head and fits snugly clasped under the chin
    • Required by California Law: Per CVC Section 21212, any person under the age of 18 is required to wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet while riding on a public bicycle path or any other public riding area
  • Visibility and Being Seen
  • Using lights and/or reflectors can help make you more visible
  • Wearing bright or reflective clothing worn to help drivers see bicyclists
    • Required by California Law: CVC Section 21201 requires that every bicycle operated during darkness must be equipped with a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the front, and a red reflector visible from 500 feet to the rear

Following Traffic Rules

  • Following traffic signals and road signs help prevent collisions
  • Riding with traffic will allow for predictability, improved visibility, and reduce the impact if a collision occurs
  • Slow down and look for traffic when crossing a street
  • Using the proper hand signals allows drivers to be aware of your movements
  • Understanding right-of-way rules between road users is critical, as misinterpretation in shared spaces like crosswalks is a common cause of injury
    • Required by California Law: Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers (CVC 21200). This includes stopping at red lights and stop signs

Safe Riding Position

  • Use bike lanes
  • Drive away from parked cars as they may inadvertently open the doors. Give drivers enough space to exit
  • Note: other vehicles may enter the bike lane when preparing for a turn (typically within 200 feet of an intersection), when entering or leaving the roadway (e.g., pulling into a driveway), or to park where permitted; emergency vehicles may also use the bike lane when responding to an emergency (CVC § 21209)
    • Required by California Law: While bicyclists should use bike lanes, be aware that CVC Section 21209 allows motor vehicles to enter a bike lane to park (where permitted), to enter or leave the highway, or to prepare for a turn within 200 feet of an intersection

Avoiding Distractions

  • Avoid using phones while bicycling (i.e., no texting or looking at social media)
  • If using headphones or earbuds, be sure to keep the volume lowered to maintain awareness of your surroundings
    • Required by California Law: CVC Section 27400 prohibits persons operating a bicycle from wearing a headset covering, or earplugs in both ears. At least one ear must be left uncovered to hear sirens or horns

Tips for Parents

Helmet and Equipment Safety

  • Properly fitting helmets each time your child rides will help prevent brain injury
  • Having the correct size bicycle can help prevent falls

Teaching Safe Riding Skills

  • Knowing the proper hand signals will help drivers know your child’s movements
  • Your child should know how to safely approach and cross intersections (i.e., slow down and look both ways)

Route Selection

  • It is best to select a route you have ridden with your child to ensure safer routes are chosen that avoid busy or high-speed roads
  • Bike lanes help separate bicycle riders from cars and pedestrians

Supervision and Experience

  • It is best if your child has practiced riding with an adult in real traffic environments
  • Make sure younger riders are supervised when riding near roads or intersections

Tips for Kids Bicycling To and From School

Riding Safely

  • It is safest to ride in the same direction as traffic instead of towards traffic
  • Slow down and stop at intersections to look both ways and listen for cars before crossing

Crossing Streets

  • Walking your bike across crosswalks when needed is best
  • Avoid crossing between parked cars to ensure visibility
  • Teach children not to assume that drivers will stop at crosswalks, and to wait until it is clearly safe before crossing

Being Visible

  • Wearing bright and reflective clothing will help ensure visibility
  • Bicycles equipped with reflectors or lights help you be visible and help you to see, especially at night

Be Aware

  • Don’t forget to watch the roads for hazards such as potholes, large debris, toys, pebbles
  • Stay alert! Put away phones and headphones while riding
  • Pay attention to cars, pedestrians, and road conditions (Use hand signals for cars, and announce yourself for pedestrians)

References

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/pedestrian-bike-safety/about/bicycle-safety.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  2. Bicycle Safety: Bike Safety Tips for Kids and Adults | NHTSA
  3. Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety | FHWA
  4. Bicycle Safety | Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Motorcycle Safety | CDC
  5. Safety Tips for Pedestrians – People Powered Movement
  6. Bicycle Deaths – Injury Facts
  7. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=21201.&utm_source=chatgpt.com
  8. https://spokester.com/blogs/news/bike-tire-pressure-quick-guide-to-the-right-psi-for-bike-tires?srsltid=AfmBOopWfFQrzPSGs8FVB9UpnK-AW-8t8VfPxPiMUreSNMPVaXkUTGta
  9. https://www.bikelaw.com/2021/03/bike-hand-signals/
  10. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/laws-and-rules-of-the-road/
  11. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/laws-and-rules-of-the-road-cont1/
  12. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=27400.&utm_source=chatgpt.com
  13. https://iamtraffic.org/education/cycling-with-children/#:~:text=Children%20should%20be%20taught%20to,surface%20hazards%20and%20parked%20cars.
  14. https://www.bgmillerlaw.com/crosswalk-safety-tips-every-parent-should-teach-their-kids/#:~:text=Look%20and%20Listen%20Before%20Stepping,before%20stepping%20into%20the%20crosswalk.