The stakes are high in cycling accidents, as cyclists have little protection when hit by a vehicle. The cyclist often suffers severe, catastrophic, or fatal injuries in these accidents. When a vehicle driver was mostly or entirely at fault for the bicycle accident, the injured cyclist can seek compensation to pay for all financial, personal, and emotional losses.
Requirements for Cyclists in California
California state laws mandate that bicyclists have:
- Reliable, fully functional brakes
- Handlebars that do not reach above the rider’s shoulders
- The ability for the rider to support the bike with one foot safely on the ground
- A lamp or headlight for riding after sunset
- Reflectors on both pedals as well as one on the rear of the bike