Bicycles are an efficient, economical, and prudent means of transportation if used in a safe manner. We live in an area highly populated by automobiles and cyclist along with motorist need to be aware that the roads are to be shared by both. Driver education in California is a bit relaxed when it comes to teaching how to be safe when approaching and passing a cyclist on the roadways. Some states are adopting the "Three Foot Passing Rule" which states that motorist must stay three feet away from a cyclist when passing. In all 50 states bicycles are considered vehicles, and fall under the same laws and rules of the road as automobiles. Bicycles must obey all traffic lights, stop signs, and signals. Crosswalks are meant for pedestrians and not cyclist riding their bicycles, sidewalks are only for pedestrians unless signed as a bike route to avoid a dangerous roadway. Bicycles must ride in the same direction as traffic and to the right side of the road. It's advisable for cyclist to wear high visibility clothing while riding and leave the fashion statements for elsewhere, and to wear a white high visibility bicycle helmet approved by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission). I also recommend using daytime running lights on bicycles both front and back. The more visible that cyclist are to motorist the less likelihood of a automobile vs bicycle accident.
Bicycle safety education is needed as more cyclist are taking to the roads, and driver education needs to be expanded to include what to do when approaching a slow cyclist and there is no room to pass or there are blind curves ahead. The League of American Bicyclist is a good place to start for bicycle education classes in your area. http://www.bikeleague.org/
The following link is an interesting article by Bay Citizen on cycling in the Bay Area.
http://www.baycitizen.org/bike-accident-tracker/story/contra-costa-county-more-dangerous/
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