Orange County Cyclists to Celebrate and Remember During National Bike Month

The start of May in just a few days means that National Bike Month is right around the corner. Established in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists, National Bike Month was created as an effort to promote the many benefits of cycling, encourage future generations to give bike riding a try, and educate riders on the importance of safety. Fortunately for residents of Orange County and the rest of Southern California, May is full of sun and clear skies, making it the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the experience of riding a two-wheeler. In addition to increasing general awareness, the Orange County Transportation Authority has provided a list of activities that are taking place in celebration of the month, including a Bicycle Commuter Festival, Bike Rally, and Bike to Work Week.

Another Bike Month event that has special significance for Orange County cyclists is the Ride of Silence which honors all those who have been injured or killed while riding in the area. Diving a little deeper into the subject reveals that bike safety in Orange County specifically is a very serious issue. Pulling data from 2001 to 2012 provided by the Orange County Bicycle Coalition, the number of bike riders both injured and killed in bicycle related accidents every year in Orange County is both shocking and overwhelming. For example, the year 2006 alone saw 22 cyclists dead and over 1000 more injured which is a frightenly high number considering the circumstances. Furthermore, the data shows that fault was assigned to the cyclist over half of the time, so here is a short list of safe riding tips to remember when you are out on the road:

1. Check that all of your equipment is working properly, tires are inflated, and brakes function effectively.

2. Wear proper safety equipment, such as a helmet and easily visible clothing, especially if you are riding next to vehicular traffic.

3. Go with the flow of traffic by riding in the same direction that vehicles are moving.

4. Be predictable by moving in straight lines and clearly signaling your intentions.

5. Ride defensively. This means yielding to traffic when appropriate, staying alert at all times, double checking before making turns, and obeying all traffic laws.

Regardless of where the fault lies, bicycle accidents are almost always most harmful to the rider so the overall burden is always on the cyclist to be careful. And as can be seen from the data, bike related accidents unfortunately happen daily across the county so you need to be prepared. If a third party was indeed negligent and responsible for causing an injury, it is best practice to contact an Orange County bike accident lawyer before speaking with any insurance company, so you can get appropriate compensation down the road. With the increased number of biking related activities during National Bike Month, it is important for drivers and riders alike to remember to share the road. National Bike Month is first and foremost about awareness, so aside from having a great time cycling, remember to be safe and encourage responsible biking behaviors when traveling through your community. To find dates, times, and locations for the upcoming bike related activities in Orange County, please visit here.