Nine Bicycling Myths you should ditch

Myth #1: It’s not safe to bicycle on the street with traffic.
Fact: With very few exceptions, bicyclists are safest when they ride with and act like traffic, obeying normal traffic rules and principles. The California Vehicle Code recognizes this fact and gives bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.

Myth #2: Riding on the Sidewalk is safer than riding on the street.
Fact: There’s a reason it’s called the Sidewalk. Ride on it and you’re much more likely to crash, either with pedestrians or with drivers. Motorists don’t check the sidewalk for traffic before pulling out or turning, they check the street.

Myth #3: If you do ride on the street, you should ride against traffic, on the wrong side of the road.
Fact: This is not only illegal, it’s one of the leading causes of bicycling accidents. Don’t do it.

Myth #4: My kids probably should wear a helmet most of the time, but I really don’t need one.
Fact: A single fall on your head from a stationary, standing position can kill you. Riders who wear helmets consistently have about 80 percent fewer serious head injuries than riders who don’t. A very good helmet costs about $40-90; a lifetime of care for someone with brain damage, about $4 million. Everyone under age 18 must wear a helmet—it’s the law.

Myth #5: Kids will learn how to ride safely on their own.
Fact: This is about as true of bicycling as it is of swimming. Kids learn what they are taught and what they see modeled for them. As with any skill, kids need actual pratice, repeatedly, over time, to get better at bicycling. Proper training dramatically reduces the risk of accident and injury, so take responsibility and teach your kids.

Myth #6: Young kids can’t learn the rules of the road because they’re too complicated.
Fact: Even young children can learn basic road rules and bicycling techniques to get them around the neighborhood safely. With the right training, by about grade 4 or 5, most children should be able to venture a little farther, such as to school or the store.

Myth #7: The only serious cyclists are those shiny, lycra-clad, bug-like figures racing along at 15+ miles an hour.
Fact: Anyone who takes the time to learn the rules and enjoys riding is a serious cyclist. Attitude and education matter far more than apparel.

Myth #8: Those shiny, lycra-clad, bug-like figures racing along at 15+ miles an hour must be from somewhere else, maybe even another planet. I don’t have to share the road with them when I’m driving.
Fact: Both they and other cyclists have a right to the road, too. And while they may not look it, they’re likely to be your neighbor or doctor or teacher or banker, or even your friendly local police officer. So share the road.

Myth #9: Good information on bicycle safety is impossible to find.
Fact: It’s not on every street corner, but it’s not hard to find. Start with our Traffic Tips page. Check at our local bicycle shops, talk to experienced cyclists, contact the League of American Bicyclists (www.bikeleague.org), or attend one of the bike rodeos put on by the Parks & Recreation Departments this summer.