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More Bicycle Accidents and Auto Crash Fatalities During the Covid Crisis
With lockdowns and more people working from home, the global pandemic significantly reduced traffic in California and across the nation. You would expect bicycle accidents and traffic deaths to decrease accordingly. In fact, the reverse occurred. Traffic fatalities have actually increased during the Covid crisis.
E-Bike Laws & Safety
There’s a new kid on the block…or should I say, bike path. It’s the electric bike, or E-bike, which everyone and their mother seems to be purchasing in Santa Barbara and beyond, particularly during this last year of Covid quarantine. E-bikes are especially popular with those who are not avid cyclists and want a little help when faced with hills or headwinds. They are also a great alternative to enclosed transportation since they offer low cost, energy efficient, and emission-free transportation that also has physical and health benefits.
Bicyclist Struck and Killed by Car in Camarillo
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/dec/16/morning-report-cyclist-hit-by-car-in-camarillo/
A 39-year-old Camarillo bicyclist was hit by a sport utility vehicle while riding on Lewis Road in Camarillo Tuesday night, the Ventura County Star reports.
Mario Tamayo was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, where he later passed away from his injuries. Authorities say Tamayo, who was wearing dark clothing, did not have lights on his bicycle and was not wearing a helmet while riding on a busy street after dark. Because of these factors, the driver, Michael Brigmac, did not see Tamayo until he collided with him. From the article, it is unclear as to whether there are bicycle lanes on the road where Tamayo was riding.
This incident highlights the importance of bicycle safety, especially in the winter months when the sun sets early at around 5:30 pm. If you routinely use a bicycle as a means of transportation, please take precaution and where a helmet wherever you are riding. Additionally, if you must ride at night, please purchase a bike light to protect yourself and alert drivers on the road.
If you have been injured while biking and believe a driver may be at fault, please contact skilled bicycle accident attorneys immediately for a free consultation to assess your situation and legal options.
Your Guide to California’s Bike Riding Laws
There’s no better way to explore the natural beauty of California and get some fresh air than riding your bike. Bike riding is both fun and a great form of exercise, so it’s no wonder it’s such a popular pastime. However, bikes are subject to rules and regulations, like most other forms of transportation. If you plan on hopping on your bike anytime soon, there are some important rules you should know.
Biking at the Beach: How to Be Safe this Summer
Few things are more enjoyable than renting a bicycle and taking it for a spin on one of Santa Barbara’s beautiful trails. From the relaxing coastal ride of Cabrillo Bike Path to the challenging twists of Old San Marcos Pass and Painted Cave Road with their gorgeous panoramic views, our “American Riviera” has something to offer the bicyclist at every level. Beachfront retailers make it easy to rent a bike while you’re here, whether you want to do some beach-cruising or mountain-biking!
Beware the Dangers of Motorized Scooters
In many ways, motorized scooters present great solutions for the traffic problems in Santa Barbara and throughout much of California. With that in mind, there are also very real risks that come with hundreds of people riding scooters that can go up to 15 mph on city streets and sidewalks.
When accidents do happen, who is truly at fault becomes a big question with an important answer.
Santa Barbara Sidewalk Laws: Bicyclists and Skateboarders Beware!
Although there are certain laws in California for all bicycle riders, there are also city laws that provide additional regulations. In Santa Barbara, for example, you cannot ride a bicycle on any sidewalks; instead, you may only ride in the street and where permitted by other signs and traffic signals. People on skateboards, roller skates, and in-line skates are even more restricted. They are not allowed on public streets and many specific sidewalks; violation of these laws may result in a costly ticket.
What Are Common Ways Driver Negligence Can Cause a Bike Accident?
In California, drivers must legally ensure there is at least a three-foot buffer between their vehicle and someone on a bicycle when passing the bike. Drivers, however, do not always provide this much space and can come dangerously close to the cyclist when passing by. One study actually found that drivers tend to keep their vehicles closer to cyclists wearing helmets and other protective gear. The presence of such gear can subconsciously make a driver feel the bicyclist is somehow safer than he or she really is in the presence of a heavy, fast-moving vehicle!
Santa Barbara Cyclists Laud New Safety Law
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill into law that will require motorists to give bicyclists three feet of leeway when passing them on roads and highways. Assembly Bill 1371, also known as the “Three Feet For Safety Act,” is slated to take effect in September 2014.
Ed France, the executive director of the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition, told Noozhawk.com that the new law is important because it makes drivers aware that the act of “buzzing” bicyclists or intimidating them on the road is now considered a criminal act.
“It is a meaningful step forward for respectful roadway behavior,” he told Noozhawk.
Area Cyclists Demand Bike Lanes for Old Town Goleta
Cyclists recently appeared en masse before a Goleta City Council meeting, demanding that the city restripe the roads in Old Town to allow for dedicated bicycle lanes.
The Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition (SBBC) claims that Old Town residents, businesses, and visitors have been waiting for 15 years for bike lanes on Hollister Avenue. The Director of SBCC spoke to the Goleta City Council and asked once again that the city consider painting bike lanes on Old Town roads.
“Three bicyclists have been killed in the last 15 years,” he told the council. “We’d like to request a process that can end up with those bike lanes.”