Bicycle Safety

Bicycle crashes are one of the top causes of injury seen in the Trauma Service at Stanford Health Care. Bicyclists and motorists both play a role in preventing crashes.

Tips for bicyclists:

• Follow the same rules of the road as drivers of cars. Follow California law VC21200.
• ALWAYS wear a helmet. It’s the law for children and youth under 18 years old.
• Make sure you are visible at night—with a white headlight, a rear reflector (required by law). Light colored or reflective clothing is recommended.
• Don’t swerve in and out of parked cars. You’re more visible going in a straight line down the road.
• Ride on the road. Sidewalks are for pedestrians and those going walking speed.
• It is illegal to ride with earphones in both ears.
• Pay attention at all times. Try to anticipate what motorists may do.

Tips for motorists:

• Share the road.
• Remember the 3-foot-law—a vehicle must stay at least 3 feet way when passing a bicyclist.
• If the road doesn’t have enough room for the bicyclist to ride, the bicyclist is allowed to ride in the lane.
• After parallel parking and before opening your door, check for bicyclists riding alongside your car or approaching quickly.

The Injury Prevention program in the Trauma Service at Stanford Health Care is working in the community so that bicyclists of all ages can ride the streets safely for transportation, recreation or fun.

• Practicing bicycling skills at school rodeos
• Teaching Rules of the Road in local classrooms
• Working with Stanford University on programs to increase helmet usage
• Partnering with local Police Departments to enforce helmet use and bicycle laws

Juvenile Traffic Diversion Program

Education and enforcement are two important components for traffic safety. The Juvenile Traffic Diversion Program provides traffic safety education for youth who are cited for bicycle, pedestrian, and other non-motor vehicle violations. Youth under the age of 18 who are cited for a non-motor vehicle traffic violation are invited to attend a two-hour class with their parent or guardian. Similar to traffic school, fines and fees are waived upon completion of the class. The Juvenile Traffic Diversion Program is led by Stanford Health Care in collaboration with Santa Clara County Public Health Department, Traffic Safe Communities Network, and local law enforcement agencies.

For more information, please contact Maylyn Co at mayco@stanfordhealthcare.org or 650-736-8095.

Learn more about bicycle safety.