| With over 1200 bike accidents on the roads of Los | | | | 3. Be Visible at All Times: One of the most common |
| Angeles each year, nearly four per day, the city is the | | | | excuses people use in California when they hit a |
| most dangerous place for cyclists to ride in all of | | | | cyclist or a pedestrian is that they didn't see them. |
| California. If you are planning to ride a bicycle in Los | | | | Most drivers in Los Angeles are watching for cars, |
| Angeles then you don't simply need to understand the | | | | trucks, and vans; not bicycles. Because of this you |
| rules of the road, but you should also know defensive | | | | need to go beyond the call of duty and make yourself |
| biking tactics so you can avoid any risks that may | | | | as 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, people | | | | reflective helmet; wear bright colors, lots of reflective |
| tend to be in a rush. If a driver sees a rare break in | | | | gear, and get the brightest lights you can. |
| traffic for an opportune left turn, they may not have | | | | 4. Use Quieter Roads: While the roads of Los Angeles |
| their eye open for the cyclist that is heading their way | | | | might seem busy at all hours of the day, you should |
| until it is too late. By understanding your surroundings | | | | structure your schedule so you can bike in the safest |
| and preparing for the risks, you can decrease the | | | | conditions 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 avoid | | | | crowded. 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 have | | | | it'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. Some | | | | In a busy city such as Los Angeles, the last thing you |
| cyclists feel as though it is okay for them to ignore the | | | | will want to deal with while cycling is a problem with |
| rules of the road, but this only leads to unpredictable | | | | your bike. Make sure you have good tread on your |
| behavior. If other people on the road cannot predict | | | | tires and inspect your bike often to ensure no damage |
| what you are going to do, then you are at a much | | | | goes unnoticed and unrepaired. |
| higher risk of being involved in a bike accident than if | | | | It 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 its | | | | avoid potential bike accidents. By practicing defensive |
| fair share of bad drivers and road hazards. You need | | | | biking in Los Angeles you'll prevent yourself from |
| to be prepared for anything that might come your | | | | getting in as many dangerous situations as other |
| way: a car door opening in your path, a vehicle turning | | | | cyclists may face. While there are no guarantees on |
| your direction, somebody driving too closely, a | | | | the roads of Los Angeles, these tips will surely benefit |
| pedestrian stepping onto the road, or anything else that | | | | you in a very real way. |
| may happen. | | | | |