Celebrate National Bicycle Safety Month with These Tips
With warmer weather arriving, May is the perfect time to dust off your bike and hit the road. The California Office of Traffic Safety reminds us that cycling is one of the best ways to stay active, cut down on fuel costs, reduce emissions, and take in the sights at a pace a car simply can’t match. National Bicycle Safety Month is a good reminder that enjoying all those benefits starts with riding smart.
Motorists and cyclists sharing the road is an everyday reality, and it comes with real risks. California law requires drivers to give cyclists a minimum of three feet of clearance when passing — a rule worth knowing whether you’re behind the wheel or on the saddle.
The numbers make the case for taking safety seriously. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, emergency departments treated approximately 454,008 bicycle-related injuries in 2024. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 1,155 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles in 2023 — the highest number ever recorded — representing 2.8% of all traffic fatalities. Preventable bicycle deaths have climbed 37% over the past decade. In 2023, 81% of those fatalities occurred in urban areas.
California is not immune. The state recorded 145 bicyclist deaths in 2023, accounting for roughly four percent of all traffic fatalities — well above the national average.
The good news: protective gear makes a measurable difference. Cyclists who wear a helmet reduce their risk of head injury by an estimated 60% and brain injury by 58%. In California, helmet use is required by law for anyone under 18.
For Drivers:
- Share the road — cyclists have the same right to be there
- California law mandates at least three feet of clearance when passing a rider
- Check for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out of a parking space
- Yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals
- Watch carefully for riders when making left or right turns
- Driving in a bike lane is unlawful except within 200 feet of a right turn
For Cyclists:
- Wear a properly fitted helmet every time you ride — if you’re under 18, it’s the law
- A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent serious head injury in a crash
- Cyclists are considered vehicle operators and must follow the same rules of the road as drivers, including traffic signals, signs, and lane markings
- Always ride in the same direction as traffic
- Increase your visibility by wearing bright or fluorescent clothing during the day and at dawn and dusk
- California law requires a white front light and red rear reflector when riding at night — a flashing rear light and reflective tape on clothing or equipment add an extra layer of protection
Cycling should be one of the best parts of your day. A little preparation goes a long way toward making sure it stays that way.
