Bicycle safety measures are an important cause for both individuals and society overall. The trend towards using this green form of transportation is good for both the environment and riders' health. With ridership increasing nationwide and especially in California, city planners and policy makers need to take a close look at their cities' infrastructures and the laws which govern the roads that include both drivers and cyclists. Nationwide bike ridership is steadily increasing. Within California, San Francisco ranked 4th nationwide, with a ten percent boost from last year. Oakland ranked in 5th, with a eighteen percent spike. While these numbers are good, the downside is that there are an average of 130 bicycles accidents which result in death per year and more than 11,000 bicycle accidents injuries in the same time period.

These are scary statistics. The sad facts are that in many bicycle and motorist accidents the person in the vehicle is favors in the court cases. Currently there are only nine states which invoke criminal charges for bike-car accidents. When one stops to consider the importance of respecting the rights of those who choose this environmentally conscious choice, they soon realize that our common mindset needs a major shift.

Education is very important on an individual level. In California, people under 17 are required to wear helmets. Cyclists can learn ways to ride that are legally sound and will increase their safety. Measures such as hand signals, reflective clothing, and proper lighting can make a huge effort in preserving life and limb. Motorists can also learn how to share the road and observe traffic laws that will prevent accidents which may cause serious injuries to those involved or even result in a fatality.

State and local governments can impact the coexistence of bicycles and cars on our roads by creating more and better bike lanes, passing laws that protect cyclists both on the road and within the courts, and informing the public of the correct way to pass and interact with fellow travelers.

The state of California has started to make great strides in protecting cyclists' rights and promoting this form of transportation. The state's transit authority has dedicated $50 million towards creating new bike paths statewide. The cities of San Francisco, San Jose, and Palo Alto are starting the nation's first regional bike-share program that will impact both local interests and tourism. To keep a forward momentum, California must continue exploring and discovering ways to increase the popularity and safety of bicycling.