The Code of the Road: How to Avoid Bike Accidents in Los Angeles

With over 1200 bike accidents on the roads of Los3. Be Visible at All Times: One of the most common
Angeles each year, nearly four per day, the city is theexcuses people use in California when they hit a
most dangerous place for cyclists to ride in all ofcyclist or a pedestrian is that they didn't see them.
California. If you are planning to ride a bicycle in LosMost drivers in Los Angeles are watching for cars,
Angeles then you don't simply need to understand thetrucks, and vans; not bicycles. Because of this you
rules of the road, but you should also know defensiveneed to go beyond the call of duty and make yourself
biking tactics so you can avoid any risks that mayas visible as possible so you can avoid a bike accident.
come your way.Don't settle for the least bright light and a dimly
Since Los Angeles is an extremely busy city, peoplereflective helmet; wear bright colors, lots of reflective
tend to be in a rush. If a driver sees a rare break ingear, and get the brightest lights you can.
traffic for an opportune left turn, they may not have4. Use Quieter Roads: While the roads of Los Angeles
their eye open for the cyclist that is heading their waymight seem busy at all hours of the day, you should
until it is too late. By understanding your surroundingsstructure your schedule so you can bike in the safest
and preparing for the risks, you can decrease theconditions possible. Not only should you plan to avoid
possibility that you'll be involved in a bike accident.rush hour, but you should also find a route that isn't
Here are five tips for you to use so you can avoidcrowded. The fewer vehicles there are on the road,
bike accidents in a busy city such as Los Angeles,the fewer obstacles you have to worry about.
California:5. Fix Your Bike: There's a popular saying that says "if
1. Obey the Laws: Traffic laws in Los Angeles haveit's not broken, don't fix it." On the flip side, it's equally
been created for the sole purpose of limiting accidents;important to realize that "if it is broken, you should fix it."
regardless of whether you are driving or cycling. SomeIn a busy city such as Los Angeles, the last thing you
cyclists feel as though it is okay for them to ignore thewill want to deal with while cycling is a problem with
rules of the road, but this only leads to unpredictableyour bike. Make sure you have good tread on your
behavior. If other people on the road cannot predicttires and inspect your bike often to ensure no damage
what you are going to do, then you are at a muchgoes unnoticed and unrepaired.
higher risk of being involved in a bike accident than ifIt might not always seem convenient to follow these
you followed the law.five steps, but it will always help you stay safe and
2. Stay Alert: Los Angeles, like any other city, has itsavoid potential bike accidents. By practicing defensive
fair share of bad drivers and road hazards. You needbiking in Los Angeles you'll prevent yourself from
to be prepared for anything that might come yourgetting in as many dangerous situations as other
way: a car door opening in your path, a vehicle turningcyclists may face. While there are no guarantees on
your direction, somebody driving too closely, athe roads of Los Angeles, these tips will surely benefit
pedestrian stepping onto the road, or anything else thatyou in a very real way.
may happen.