| Since 1994, there have been 40,000 fatal accidents in | | | | still pose a major risk for cyclists in California. From |
| the United States each year. The scary thing for | | | | 2002-2006 there were 11 fatal rear-end bike accidents |
| cyclists in California is that nearly 10% of them are | | | | in the state and many more accidents that resulted in |
| happening in their state. | | | | injury. |
| With an increasing number of vehicles on the road, | | | | Rear end bike accidents can happen in a number of |
| cyclists need to be careful when it comes to their | | | | ways: when a cyclist is making a left turn and a driver |
| safety. While bike accidents only account for around | | | | doesn't see him in the lane, when a cyclist swerves to |
| 3% of California's fatal collisions, there are hazards | | | | dodge an obstacle without seeing the car behind them, |
| coming from each and every direction. | | | | or when a driver doesn't see a cyclist on the road at |
| Side Crashes | | | | night. |
| Usually when a cyclist gets hit on the side it doesn't | | | | The best way to avoid rear-end accidents is to |
| prove to be fatal. Nonetheless, you should still know | | | | communicate your directional changes and get quality |
| how to protect yourself from side-impact collisions | | | | safety gear including a mirror, reflectors, a flashing red |
| while biking. A couple of the most common places for | | | | rear light, and a glowing safety triangle. |
| side crashes to occur include intersections and | | | | Front Collisions |
| crosswalks. | | | | The front of the bike is the initial point of impact in over |
| California averages around 10 fatal side-impact bike | | | | 80% of California's bike accidents each year. There |
| accidents each year, with most of the crashes | | | | are numerous ways you may be involved in this type |
| occurring on the right side. You can prevent side | | | | of bike accident, but often times these are also the |
| collisions by practicing safe biking habits such as | | | | most avoidable. |
| scanning every intersection, never assuming a vehicle | | | | Unlike rear-end collisions or some side crashes, the |
| sees you, and communicating with others through | | | | threat is always in your line of view. You can greatly |
| signals and other methods. | | | | reduce your chance of being in a bike accident by |
| The Rear End | | | | practicing good observation skills and being aware of |
| While not nearly as common, rear end bike accidents | | | | possible hazards before they are too close to dodge. |