Road safety requires concerted efforts from motorists, riders and city infrastructure

Improved rider etiquette makes cycling safer for yourself and others

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD — opinion@theaggie.org 

Davis is a city that prides itself on its extensive bike infrastructure and high ridership. Despite its reputation, its many miles of bikeways are not all up to par and have created dangerous conditions that compound with a lack of awareness regarding bike safety. New riders may be unfamiliar with how bikes operate compared with drivers and pedestrians, and getting acquainted with best practices (and road laws) can allow the Davis community to improve bike safety in the new school year. 

No amount of safety gear or adherence to vehicle code will guarantee you complete safety. Cyclists cannot account for the actions of other vehicle operators — cars and scooters included — or for poor infrastructure. Downtown Davis lacks bike lanes, adequate lighting and routine road upkeep, which makes it hard for drivers to notice bikers. Hutchison Drive has recently garnered criticism after deaths, and the bike safety advocacy group “Justice for Lincoln” has called for the creation of a separate bike lane following the death of second-year UC Davis student Lincoln Sabini.

While campus administrators and city planners consider potential changes, there are safety measures that bikers can take as they wait for structural improvements. The following precautions can be taken not only by cyclists, but also by scooter and e-bike riders traversing Davis roads.

  Though California law does not require riders 18 and older to wear a helmet, doing so is proven to reduce head injuries. Common reasons for not wearing a helmet are that they are inconvenient, uncomfortable and frankly, unflattering. However, most of these concerns can be assuaged by making helmet use a habit that is easy to adapt to commute — simply wearing it for the duration of a ride is enough, with no memorization of regulations required. It might briefly mess up a look, but helmet hair is a small price to pay for safety.

Some other bike accessories are required, such as front lights and red reflectors on the back of a bike when operating from dusk to dawn. Not using proper lighting risks the rider’s safety and can result in a citation. Many accidents occur during these hours because of reduced rider visibility to cars. In addition to adhering to state law, riders can wear reflective gear to increase their visibility from a greater distance in low-light settings. 

Bike safety encompasses not only what you wear, but your behavior while riding. Under the California Vehicle Code, bikes are classified as vehicles that must follow many of the same laws as cars, such as riding with traffic, obeying traffic lights and observing stop signs. Citations for violating these rules as a biker in Yolo County can incur fines of up to $200, so complying with vehicle law is best for not only your safety but also your wallet. 

Learning bike hand signals allows you to communicate turns and intended stops to other motorists. Implementing the same method on campus when moving through roundabouts can also help decrease confusion and collisions with fellow bikers and pedestrians. 

Biking on campus carries additional rules and concerns in high-activity areas. All bikes must follow a 15 mph speed limit. While relatively easy on a traditional bike, e-bike and scooter users may need a reminder of this rule as they move through campus. Collisions with pedestrians especially can result in severe injury at such high speeds, and remaining mindful of speed and environment while operating motorized vehicles is a responsibility of riders. 

Environmental awareness is another neglected factor of safe campus commuting. Similar to driving a car, bicyclists can only wear one earbud. It is unsafe to operate a handheld device while cycling; driving any vehicle while distracted increases the risk of accidents, and bikers should remain alert and focused on the road at all times.

The university offers assistance in adapting to better biking practices, including the Cycling Savvy Basics Bike Course, an online bicycle education program available through Canvas. Free helmets and bike lights are available at the Bike Barn after the completion of a short informative survey through the “Helmet Hair Don’t Care” and “Lit Not Hit” programs. 

While improved infrastructure is necessary, this does not mean that seeking to protect yourself is futile. Protective measures like wearing helmets and avoiding distractions while riding can be the difference between a near miss and serious injury. By employing safer biking practices, cyclists contribute not only to their own wellbeing, but help ensure the safety of the wider Davis community.

Written by: The Editorial Board — opinion@theaggie.org