Bike Shop Ontario: Common crashes#9: Rear End

Our bike shop Ontario is posting tips from Bicyclesafe.com about avoiding the most common bike crashes.

Crash #9: The Rear End
 

You steer slightly to the left to go around a parked car or some other obstruction in the road, and you get hit by an approaching car from the rear.

How to avoid this crash:

1. Never move left without checking behind you first. Some motorists will pass cyclists with only a few inches, so moving even slightly to the left could put you directly in their path. Practice riding a straight line while looking over your shoulder until you can do it perfectly. Many new cyclists have a tendency to move left when they look behind them, which obviously can easily cause one of these.

2. Don't swerve in and out of the parking lane if it contains any parked cars. It may seem like a good idea to ride in the parking lane, dipping back into the traffic lane when you see a parked car. This puts you at risk for a rear end accident. Instead, ride in a steady, straight line in the traffic lane.

3. Use a mirror. If you don't have one, get one from a bike shop (like ours). There are models available that fit on handlebars, helmet, or glasses. You should still physically look back over your shoulder before moving left, but having a mirror will help you monitor traffic.

4. Use turn signals. Never move left without signaling. Just put your left arm straight out.

Bike shop Chino Hills: Common Crashes #8

Our bike shop Chino Hills is doing a blog series revealing the most common bike crash situations, from Bicyclesafe.com, with tips to help you stay safe.

#8 The Left Cross
An approaching car makes a left turn right in front of you, without giving you room to stop, or slams directly into you. 

How to avoid this wreck:

 1. Never ride on the sidewalk. 

 When you come off the sidewalk to cross the street, you're not visible to turning motorists. It is generally much safer to ride in the street.

2. Get a headlight. Front headlights are necessary for safe night time riding. Also, you can be ticketed most places for not having one. They can increase your visibility in the day too.

3. Wear bright colored clothing, even during the day. Ok, maybe you prefer neutrals...but bikes are small and easy to see through even during the day. Yellow or orange reflective vests make a big difference in visibility. Reflective leg bands are also easy and inexpensive.

4. Do not pass on the right. Do not try to overtake slow-moving vehicles on the right. Doing this makes you invisible to left-turning motorists at intersections. Passing on the right is dangerous for a number of reasons. (see other posts in the series or check out Bicyclesafe.com)

5. Slow down. Try to make eye contact with the driver. If you can't catch their eye, slow down enough to completely stop if necessary. It is a pain, but it beats getting hit.

Bike shop Upland: Common crashes #7: Right Hook 2

This post is part of our bike shop Upland's blog series exposing the top ten situations that cause bike wrecks, from Bicyclesafe.com. You are passing a slow-moving vehicle (or another bike) on the right, when it unexpectedly makes a right turn, entering a parking lot, driveway or side street, hitting you.

Common crash #7: Right Hook 2
How to avoid this wreck:

1. Do not pass on the right. This crash is very easy to avoid. Just do not pass any vehicle on the right. If a car ahead of you is going only 10 mph, then you slow down to 10 miles per hour behind it. Pass on the left when it is safe to.

When passing cyclists on the left, call out "On your left!" before you start passing. If they are riding too far to the left for you to left-pass safely, then call "On your right!" before passing on the right.

Be very cautious passing stopped cars at a light. They cannot see you approaching, and someone could throw open a door.

When tailing a slow-moving vehicle, ride behind it, never in their blindspot. Allow enough room to brake, in case a car in front of you turns right.

2. Look behind you before you turn right. This is how you avoid hitting cyclists who violate tip #1 above and try to pass you on the right.

Bike Shop Ontario: Common crashes #6: The Right Hook

Our bike shop Ontario is running a series on our blog exposing the top ten situations that cause bike wrecks, from Bicyclesafe.com.
#6 The Right HookIn this crash, a car passing you turns right turn directly in front of you, or right into you. The driver does not realize the speed you are traveling, and that they do not have time to pass. This crash is hard to avoid because you don't see it coming until the last second, and there is nowhere for you to go when you do see it.

How to avoid this crash:

1. Do not ride on the sidewalk. When you come off the sidewalk to cross the street you're invisible to motorists.

2. Ride to the left. Taking up the whole lane makes it harder for drivers to pass you to cut you off or turn into you. Don't feel bad about taking the lane: by doing so you are protecting your life. If the lane you're in isn't wide enough for cars to pass you safely, then you should be taking the whole lane anyway. 

3. Get a mirror, and use it when approaching an intersection. Be sure to look in your mirror well before you arrive at the intersection. When you get to the intersection, you need to look ahead of you.

Bike shop Upland: Common crashes #5: Red Light of Death

Our bike shop Upland is running a series on our blog exposing the top ten situations that cause bike wrecks, from Bicyclesafe.com.

Wreck #5: Red Light of Death

You stop on the right of a car at a red light or stop sign. They can not see you. When the light turns green, you advance, and then they turn right, slamming you.
This can happen with any size of vehicle, but this scenario is especially dangerous when it's a bus or other large vehicle that you're stopping next to. In 1994, an Austin cyclist was killed this way when he stopped to the right of a semi, and it turned right. He was crushed under its wheels.

 

How to avoid this wreck: Do not stop in a vehicle's blindspot.
Simply stop behind a vehicle, rather than to the right of it, as per the diagram below. In the diagram, you can see how visible this cyclist will be on all sides. The car behind them will see them directly in front.

Bike shop Chino Hills: common crashes #4: the Wrong Way Wreck

Our bike shop Ontario is running a series of posts exposing the top ten scenarios of bike wrecks. More about these collisions and other great info is available at Bicyclesafe.com.

#4 The Wrong Way Wreck
You are riding the wrong way, the left side, against traffic. A car makes a right turn from a side street, driveway, or parking lot, crashing into you. They didn't see you because they were looking for traffic only on their left, not on their right. They don't expect someone coming at them from the wrong direction.

In another variation of the Wrong Way Wreck, you could be hit by a car on the same road, coming at you from straight ahead of you. Riding towards cars gives them less response time, and causes a more serious wreck.

How to avoid this accident:

Don't ride against traffic. Ride with traffic, in the same direction.

Riding against traffic may seem like a good idea because you can see the cars that are passing you, but it's not. For more explanation about why, check out the Bicyclesafe.com website.

Bike shop Chino Hills: common crashes #3: The Crosswalk Slam

Our bike shop Chino Hills is running this series of posts about the most common bike accidents, from Bicyclesafe.com.
#3 The Crosswalk Slam
You're riding on the sidewalk. You enter a crosswalk, and a car makes a right turn, crashing into you.
Drivers will not expect bikes in the crosswalk, and it's hard for them to see you when turning from one street to another, so this is a very easy way for you to get hit.  One study showed that sidewalk-riding was twice as dangerous as road riding, and another study indicated even more so.

How to avoid this accident:

1. Get a headlight. If you're riding at night, a headlight is absolutely essential. It's required by law in most cities.

2. Slow down. Slow down enough that you're able to stop completely if you need to.

3. Don't ride on the sidewalks.  Crossing between sidewalks is a pretty dangerous move. If you do it on the left-hand side of the street, you risk getting slammed as pictured in the diagram. If you do it on the right-hand side of the street, you risk getting hit by a car behind you turning right.  Sidewalk riding also puts you in the path of cars pulling out of parking lots or driveways.

Bike shop Ontario: Common crashes #2:

Our bike shop Ontario is running a series of blogs exposing the top ten situations that cause bike wrecks, drawing from Bicyclesafe.com.

The #2 most common bike accident they call: The Door Prize

A driver opens their door right in front of you.  If you don't have time to brake, you crash into it. 

This kind of wreck is more common than you might think:  It's the second-most common car-bike crash in Toronto, and holds the title for #1 crash in Santa Barbara. Bicyclesafe.com has made a list of cyclists killed by running into open car doors.

How to avoid this wreck:

Ride to the left! Ride far enough to the left that you won't run into any door that's opened unexpectedly. Riding further left (than curb and parking lane) is recommended to avoid several of the most common bike accidents.

Bike shop upland: Common crashes #1: The Right Cross

Our bike shop Upland is running a series of blog posts exposing the top ten situations that cause bike accidents, from Bicyclesafe.com. We begin with the number one most common bike wreck: The Right CrossA vehicle is pulling out of a side street, parking lot, or driveway on the right. Note that this collision can happen one of two ways:  1.) you are in front of the car and the car hits you, or 2.) the car pulls out in front of you and you crash into it.
How to avoid this collision:
1. Get a headlight. A good headlight is something you can't ride without at night, but it can increase your visibility in the daytime too.
2. Get the driver's attention. Catch their eye if you can, ring your bell, honk, wave, whatever it takes.
3. Slow down. Stop if necessary. Yes, its a hassle, but worth it!
4. Ride further to the left. Many riders feel safer riding hugging the right curb of the road, but moving further to the left can actually prevent many of the most common bike wrecks. The "B" line in the diagram above is the best place to ride.

Bike shop Ontario: Safe cycling please!

As owners of bike shop ontario, there is nothing worse than hearing that a cyclist in our community been injured or killed in a car-bike collision.

Image by Paul Krueger

When you come into our shop, we'll make sure you find a good helmet that fits well, reducing your risk of head injury by up to 85%.  But while helmets can help you survive an accident in tact, they can not prevent one.
We will also hook you up with good lights and a reliable bicycle, but those things are not enough either.
Sadly, most of the accidents that happen are not caused by cyclists breaking traffic laws, but by drivers who are not being careful and looking out for bicycles. So following the law, while encouraged, cannot necessarily prevent all accidents either.
The thing that statistically reduces risk of accidents is defensive bicycling...not putting yourself in the position where a driver's failure to see you could take your life. Austin cyclist Michael Bluejay has done a lot of research and put together this excellent website Bicyclesafe.com. He makes his research, tips, and safety diagrams available for free use, so we will be sharing excerpts of the site in our series about the most common bike wrecks in the next couple weeks.

Bike shop Upland: History of the Beach Cruiser

At our bike shop upland we sell all kinds of bikes.  No bike has more enduring popularity than the beach cruiser.
The beach cruiser is a bicycle that was designed for recreational beach riding in the thirties. The cruiser has an upright seat position, basic steel frame, single speed drive train, and balloon tires to resist sinking into soft terrain like sandy beach. Cruisers enjoyed popularity from their introduction in the 30's through the 1960's.
The 1970’s-1990’s saw a break in cruiser sales as the two-car family became the norm, and fewer people were riding for pleasure or running errands around town. Since the mid-1990’s, they have made quite a comeback, with today's interpretation often keeping the classy retro looks. Currently they are one of the hottest bicycles on the market, appreciated by many kinds of riders for casual or short rides. If comfort, affordability, mechanical simplicity, and plenty of style are your priorities in a bicycle, a beach cruiser may be just what you're looking for.

Bike shop Chino Hills: the many beach cruisers

Some rights reserved. By Marco Antonio Torres.

Bumstead's bike shop Chino Hills knows  the cruiser is a favorite of bicycle designers who like to tinker. Its simple design makes it perfect for modifying. The cruiser has provided the base for many design innovations in bicycles including the first mountain bike models, BMX bikes, commuter bikes, lowriders, and choppers.
While you may remember the kid's single speed version from your childhood, today’s beach cruisers are developed for adults too, and for more verasatile use than beach pedaling. We have cruisers with multi-speed drivetrains, suspension seatposts and forks, fenders, and super cushy seats.  
Cruisers pack both comfort and style, and no cruiser is really complete until accessorized with personalized baskets, seats, bells, and covers. Customization is wildly popular in cruisers, including all colors, special paint details, modifications, and custom lights for maximum beach or street style.

Bike shop Ontario: The Beach Cruiser

Renovo Beach Cruiser by Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious

At our bike shop ontario we sell beach cruisers to casual and in-town riders of all ages because of their affordability, simplicity and comfort. Born in the Great Depression, cruisers remain some of the lowest priced bicycles for everyday people.
Whether you want the benefits of cycling for health, running errands, or the enjoyment of lazy beach rides, the cruiser offers a relaxed ride at an affordable price. Depending on your priorities and preferences, you may want to get a multispeed cruiser, add a cushy seat, or check out some of the special lights and baskets available for beach cruisers. The cruisers of today are enjoyed by adults and kids alike, and come in all varieties.
Consumer Reports advises purchasing your bike from a local bicycle retailer rather than a big box store. Big box stores cut costs by selling cheaply-made bicycles that do not hold up to regular riding conditions. Even a low-priced cruiser at a quality local specialty shop will be made with good components that will last you through the years.

Cyclists Are a Unique Breed: Join the Fun at Bumsteads Bicycles

What do all your cycling enthusiast friends have in common? Uh, huh. They do tend to be really lean. Here at Bumstead's, we certainly believe in fitness equipment for the indoors, but we know that there are built in advantages to taking your fitness activities outside. Cycling seems to have a way of getting folks to their ideal weight and keeping them there. Some of the reasons:

1. Bikes are social: Almost every fitness guru and study will tell you that you will be more successful if you have the accountability of a workout partner and can add a social component to the plan. Unlike walking or swimming, there are dozens of ways to hook up with a friend or a group and hit the pavement or the pathways.

 

2. Bikes don't have to be social: You can ride alone, too. Whether that is your preference all the time, or whether you just can't find anyone to ride with today, riding alone is still a lot of fun.

3. You can vary the routine to almost any level you desire. Maybe you're happy to burn 60 calories an hour with flat riding at a medium pace. But if you want to crank it up, you can do some uphill spinning that will burn those pounds away quickly. Taking a three hour walk may seem like a big deal, but a three hour ride is easy for any rider.

 

4. Cycling is a super aerobic: Great for heart, lungs, oxygenation, and all with low stress to the body. Some riders may have minor pain on long rides to knees, back, or neck, but these are usually fitting issues that we can help you overcome.

Exclusive Spring Specials from Bumstead's Bikes! Dont Wait!

Unbelievable!  Spring Tune Up for ONLY $39.95 We have been charging $39.95 for a basic tune up for as long as I can remember.  All of our costs have gone up over those years, but we just never thought about needing to raise our selling price.  We now realize that we just have to raise it.  But we are giving you one last chance.  Bring in every bike and tell all your neighbors to bring their bikes in during May.  No one else in all of Southern California has a $39.95 tune up, so even call your relatives in West LA and Orange County.

Save On Origin 8 Data Station  The new computers for bicycles are super easy to program and use, and give you tons of great data.  Go wired or wireless and get even more fun per mile.  We made a great buy on these new computers and we're passing the savings on to you.  While they last: Wired Origin 8 Data Station    MSRP  $24.99     SPECIAL   Only $16.99 Wireless Origin 8 Data Station  MSRP  $39.99  SPECIAL   Only $29.99   SAVE  $10.00

Mother's Day Means Nirve Beach Cruisers Everybody's Mom will be feeling the love if they get a super cute new Nirve Beach Cruiser for Mom's day. To make the deal, we will throw in a FREE Lift off basket on every new Nirve Beach Cruiser during May

He is a Real Booger - Our New Iguana Sadly, our long-time shop mascot, Chunks the Iguana, was pirated while basking in the sun behind the shop one day.  Since Bumstead's wouldn't be the same without a prehistoric looking lizard hanging around the shop, we acquired a new mascot and the name is Booger.  Come in and visit Booger and see if you can tell how we decided on the name.