Rio Linda Bicycle Safety
Rio Linda Bicycle Safety
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer serving Rio Linda, California. Spring made its grand appearance on Sunday, March 20, 2016. This is sure to bring an increase in bicyclists on our roadways.
Safety Tips For Bicyclists
We recommend bicyclists take the following safety measures:
- Follow all the rules of the road
- Always wear a helmet
- Wear bright colored (reflective) clothing
- Ride defensively and exercise caution
- Watch out for traffic, distracted drivers, other bicyclists and pedestrians
- Use hand signals when turning
- Install and use a bike light for night travel
- Install and sound your horn when necessary
- Keep your eyes forward and up – always scanning the roadway
- Look to the right, then to the left, look ahead and at the center
- Ride alone — don’t add passengers onto your bicycle.
- Stay on the right side of the roadway.
Does the 3-Foot-Law Improve Rio Linda Bicycle Safety?
Yes. It may have a positive impact on safety if motorists obey this law. California has been at the cutting-edge of bicycle safety for some time now. In 2014, California once again demonstrated its commitment to bicyclist safety. In that year, the “Three-Foot-Law,” commonly referred to as “Give Me Three” was enacted. This law is designed to improve bicycle safety throughout our state.
What is “Give Me Three”?
The “Give Me Three” law requires those driving a motor vehicle to give three feet of roadway clearance to bicyclists when the motorist is passing him or her. Three feet is about the size of a car door. The goal of the three feet of clearance mandated by law is to protect bicyclists from being struck or clipped by a car. The law is designed to apply regardless of whether the cyclist is riding in a designated bicycle lane. Motorists who are caught violating the “Give Me Three” law can be ticketed and required to pay a fine.
“Give Me Three”: The Focus is Safety
The purpose of the Three-foot-law is to place a safe distance between cars and bicyclists — when motor vehicles are passing a bicyclist. A car or truck that hits a bicyclist from behind can send the cyclist flying off his or her bike. Injuries from these type of bicycle accidents sometimes cause catastrophic (or even fatal) injuries. Other times, a motorist who passes and then moves back in front of a cyclist with insufficient clearance, can clip the bicycle, causing serious injury to the rider.
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Experienced Personal Injury and Auto Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Rio Linda Auto Accident Lawyer. I have been handling automobile accidents involving bicyclists since 1982.
If you or your loved one has been seriously hurt due to the negligent act of another, please call me at (916) 921-6400. Call me toll free at (800) 404-5400 if you are calling outside of Sacramento. When you call, I will go over the details of your case with you. I am here to provide you with free, friendly advice.
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Image Attribution: By EPO (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons