Share Roads with Bicyclists, Do Not Kill Them

Share Roads with Bicyclists and Watch Out for Them

Nationally, the number of bicyclists killed in crashes with vehicles increased by about one-third from 2012 to 2021, and about 86% of fatality victims nationwide from 2007-2021 were male, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In California between 2014 and 2023, the two years with the highest number of fatalities and serious injuries among bicyclists were 2022 and 2023. Statewide between 2021 and 2023, more than 25,000 vehicle-bicycle crashes were reported with 453 bicyclists killed and 24,600 injured.

In the Coachella Valley, at least two bicyclists have been killed this year.

In March, several Palm Desert officials, along with the Desert Roadrunners, hosted a ‘Ghost Bike Placement Ceremony’ in honor of Jay Groth.

The 62-year-old Indio native was an avid cyclist in the Coachella Valley and was killed on March 12th after being struck by a vehicle in Palm Desert. The fatal crash happened around 7:30 p.m., along Country Club Drive and Cook Street.

In the near future, Desert Roadrunners will erect another ghost bike in Cathedral City at Ramon Road and Landau Boulevard to mark the area where a bicyclist was struck and killed late Wednesday night by a hit-and-run driver in Cathedral City shortly after 11 p.m. at Landau Boulevard at Ramon Road near the Palm Springs Lanes bowling alley.

The woman killed was initially identified only as a 31-one-year-old from Palm Springs.

It’s only a matter of time before the next cyclist falls victim to a motorist.

During National Bicycle Safety Month in May, the Automobile Club of Southern California is reminding drivers to exercise caution as more cyclists crowd the roads over the summer months, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.

E-bikes (battery- and pedal-powered bikes) have exploded in popularity during recent years among both adults and younger/less experienced cyclists, posing additional risks because they may be less visible to drivers when they are being operated at higher speeds.

“During National Bicycle Month, the Auto Club is urging motorists to watch for bicycles, and for riders to be extra cautious around traffic and to increase their visibility to drivers,” said Auto Club Traffic Safety and Community Programs Manager Anita Lorz-Villagrana.  “Over the busy summer months, more cars and more bicycles on the road means potentially more collisions.”

The Auto Club recommends the following tips to help drivers and cyclists share the road:

Motorists:

• Stay alert—avoid all distractions while driving.
• Yield to bicyclists when turning.
• In bad weather, give bicyclists extra passing room, just as you would other motorists.
  Make a visual check for bicyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.
• Slow down when passing. Under the previous law, motor vehicles were supposed to give bicyclists at least 3 feet of room when passing them but did not necessarily require cars to change lanes when passing bicycles. The legislature recognized the difficulty of judging how much room 3 feet is for motorists sharing the roads with cyclists. The new law adds to the room cars must provide cyclists when passing by requiring them to change lanes when an opening is available. The expansion from 3 feet to changing lanes when overtaking and passing bicycles should help to reduce the number of bicycle accidents caused by motorists mistaking the distance between their vehicles and bicycles.
• Reduce your speed when passing bicyclists, especially when the road is narrow.
• NEVER honk your horn at a bicyclist—it could cause them to swerve into traffic or off the roadway and crash.
• Always check for bicyclists before opening your car door.
• Children on bicycles are often unpredictable—expect the unexpected.

Bicyclists:

• Ride on the roadway or shared pathways, rather than on sidewalks.
• Follow the same rules of the road as other roadway users, including riding in the same direction as traffic and following all the same traffic signs and signals.
• Signal all turns.
• Wear a bicycle helmet every time and on every ride. Nearly all bicyclists who died from a collision were not wearing helmets.
• Be visible by wearing bright colors during the day, reflective gear in low light conditions, and use head and taillights at night.
• Remember that respect is a two-way street. Show motorists the same courtesy that you expect from them.