The San Diego police department has issued information on how many bike citations they are issuing and it is clear that the number is on the rise. Is this due to more bike riders making mistakes? Police becoming more aggressive? Or is it a response to the increasing number of bike accidents in Southern California? And how does this increase in numbers affect other cities in the area? Read on to get answers to these and other questions. If you have been injured in a bike accident then we urge you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
By the numbers: How many bike citations were issued?
According to the SPD, between January 1st of 2015 an May 31st of 2016, there were more than 525 citations issued to bike riders who did not either stop or yield properly. This data has caused a lot of argument between car drivers and bike riders about who is driving safely and who is not biking safely.
Cyclists have to follow their own laws and those for cars
In all 50 states, bikes are classified as vehicles. As a result, they must follow all the rules of the road that any other motor vehicle would have to follow. This includes not texting while riding, not using headphones / earplugs while riding, and not riding on the wrong side of the street. As noted above, San Diego has increased citations, including the 525+ for not stopping or yielding, which made up more than 25% of the total 1,625 tickets given during the described timeframe.
How to avoid getting a bike citation
If you are a regular bike rider and want to avoid getting a bike citation – and remaining safer on your bike – then there are a few tips you can follow. First, make sure that you are using hand signals when they are needed. Do not bike on the sidewalk and always wear a helmet. Remember that pedestrians always have the right of way and yield to them. Do not ride your bike if you have been drinking or are under the influence of drugs, and always use two hands when riding your bike.
Finally, make sure that you are obeying all traffic signs and traffic devices. Remember that as a vehicle you are obliged to follow the same laws that every other vehicle does. This is not only for your own safety but for the safety of everyone on the road.
Have you been injured in a bike accident?
Have you been injured in a bike accident either while on a bike or in a car? Or perhaps has a pedestrian? No matter how it happened, one thing is true: There is help on your side. Reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 today and request a free legal consultation. We are here to help you discover your options.
