All San Francisco bicycle enthusiasts know that, despite the positive aspects of cycling to work or around town, riding in city traffic can be dangerous. Unfortunately, motorists always create some danger for bicyclists, but this danger is even worse at some specific San Francisco intersections.
It is my job as a San Francisco Bicycle Accident Attorney to learn first hand just how dangerous these city streets actually can be for cyclists.
I am proud to live in a bicycle-friendly city such as San Francisco and always smile when I see specifically marked bicycle lanes and unique, descriptive signs at intersections…
In December 2009, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) painted the city’s bike lanes green in an effort to make them more visible to motorists. However, by July 2011, SFMTA needed to repaint the lanes after a series of bicycle accidents demonstrated that the lanes were far too dangerous for bicyclists. Many bicyclists complained that the paint was too slippery, making it difficult to stop – especially in the rain. A police officer on a motorcycle even had an accident because of the slick paint on the roadway.
The SFMTA repainted the lanes in the same color, but used…
Thousands of bicycle accidents occur each year in California, resulting in serious injuries and even death. To help avoid dangerous crashes, bicyclists should be familiar with and follow California’s bicycle laws, just as drivers should be aware of bicyclists and their rights. Several provisions of the California Vehicle Code govern bicycle operation and equipment in the state, including these key rules:
Bicyclists have the same rights and obligations as drivers; all laws that apply to motor-vehicle drivers also apply to bicyclists, and drivers must share the road.
Bicyclists may not ride on a street or highway under the influence of…
On the night of June 2, 2010, David Mark Clark was driving his Nissan Rogue sport utility vehicle through Potrero Hill when he encountered four bicyclists. As he drove, Clark hit each of the four cyclists with his vehicle. The four cyclists survived, but suffered serious injuries, including broken legs, bruised organs, lost teeth and a broken jaw.
Clark’s arraignment was initially scheduled for August, but was postponed until September 22. The Albany, California, man faces several charges, including four counts of attempted murder. This case brings to light the serious public safety issues that surround motor vehicles and bicycles.…
Cyclists who ride at night need to have lights on their bicycles in order to be safe. Lights are essentially divided into two categories: “to see” and “be seen.” Of course “to see” lights are those that provide a steady beam to light up the road or trail in front of you, the cyclist. The “be seen” lights are the issue here.
Many people use blinking lights in order to be seen by traffic at night. However, there is this interesting phenomena called the “Moth Effect” which suggests that these blinkies could be unsafe.
What is the “Moth Effect”? …