A great and growing number of Californians have taken up bike riding not only as a sport but as a regular means of transportation. State and city governments have responded by creating and expanding routes to be used exclusively by bicycle riders. They have also passed a range of laws and regulations meant to keep riders safe when they are in contact with streets and highways filled with motor vehicles.
The Top 10 Bicycle Laws in California
If you ride a bicycle, you should be aware of the law. Here are the top 10 laws that do the most to keep bicyclists safe:
1. Follow the general traffic code
The first rule to remember is that bicyclists are subject to the same obligations and responsibilities as automobile drivers. You must therefore know and follow the rules of the road with regard to stop signs, traffic lights, and the like.
2. Ride with traffic
You should always ride in the same direction of traffic. Never go opposite to the traffic in the lane you happen to be in.
3. Ride on the right side of the road.
You should hug the right-hand curb of the lane or roadway. This is meant to keep you out the way of the cars you will be traveling alongside. Except in cases of congestion, you will be riding at a slower speed than the cars moving alongside you. It is best to keep as much distance from them as possible.
4. Use bike lanes
You should ride in bike lanes when they are available. The larger cities and suburbs of the state provide ample bike lanes. You should learn where they are and use them during your daily commute. If you need to leave the bike lane and enter street traffic, you should do so only when you have determined that it is safe.
5. Yield to pedestrians
Like automobile drivers, bicyclists must also yield to pedestrians. You must do so when on the sidewalk, in the street, riding through a crosswalk, and even in a bike lane. It is the habit of many bicyclists to become aggressive when they see pedestrians in a bike lane. While such frustration is understandable, you should take the necessary measures to avoid a collision.
6. Stop at crosswalks
You should never stop in a crosswalk. They are for pedestrians to cross the street.
7. Ride with lights and reflectors after sundown
Your bike should be equipped with a white light that is visible from at least 300 feet. It should also have a red flashing reflector in the rear that can be seen from 500 feet. Your bike should also contain a yellow reflector on each pedal that is visible from 200 feet. These are the minimum attachments required to ride safely.
8. Wear a helmet
According to California law, all persons under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet. However, you should wear a helmet when riding no matter your age.
9. Leave ears uncovered
You are not allowed to wear earplugs when riding. You must leave at least one of your ears uncovered. However, the smart thing to do is to not wear any earpieces at all.
10. No tall bikes
The bike should be of a size that allows the rider to support themselves. This means that you should be able to put one foot on the ground and start riding in a safe manner.
Bicycle Accidents
You may follow the above safety guidelines to the letter and still find yourself in an accident. Automobile drivers you encounter may not be as safe and conscientious as you. If you are ever in such an accident, you will probably not walk away from it uninjured. If the accident owed to the carelessness, inattention, or recklessness of the motorist, then you have the right to seek compensation from them. Working with a bicycle accident lawyer in Torrance can help you pursue this right.
Pursuing Compensation
An especially bad bicycle accident can put you in the hospital for some time. You will then need to meet the resulting expenses and make up for the wages you’ve lost. You should speak with a bicycle accident lawyer in Torrance as soon as you are fit enough.
In the first interview, the bicycle accident attorney in Torrance you hired will ask you some basic questions about the accident. You need only give details that you can remember. The rest will be filled out through an independent investigation of the accident. Indeed, one of the first things that the bicycle accident attorney in Torrance will do is send their private investigators to review witness statements, conduct fresh interviews, and gather other facts that are relevant to the incident.
A Torrance bicycle accident lawyer is the best person to represent your interests. You may not need to file a lawsuit. The Torrance bicycle accident lawyer you hired will reach out to the insurance company of the driver who hit you. Through persistent communication and negotiation your personal injury lawyer in Torrance will get you the settlement you deserve.
If you are ever in a bicycle accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer in Torrance to discuss your legal options.
