Cycling is a popular mode of transportation and recreational activity for many Americans. More and more cyclists are heading out onto the road alongside cars and other vehicles. And for good reason, as it’s one of the best ways to get exercise, see the sights, and reduce our carbon footprint. As the number of Americans who take up bicycling increases, so does the risk of an accident. For nearly a decade, the number of bicycle accident deaths declined. However, recent studies in Arizona show that while crashes and injuries are down, fatalities are historically high. As you would expect,

Bike Safety in Arizona   Bike Safety and Laws According to Arizona State law, cyclists have the very same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Respect for the rights of ALL road users will help you feel good about yourself and avoid accidents too. Most crashes between motorists and cyclists happen at intersections. Most often, when the motorist is at fault, it is because they failed to yield the right-of-way to the cyclist. This usually happens when you turn left in front of a cyclist, or pull out from a stop sign or driveway into a cyclist’s path. Arizona Bicycle Laws ARS 28-644

Partner Frances Lynch will be speaking next week in Maui about bicycle collision cases to the  Western Trial Lawyers Association. Riding a bike can be fun and one of the best forms of exercise but when a collision occurs, it can result in serious injury and death. Almost all serious bicycle collisions involving autos are right-of-way violations where a motor vehicle fails to yield to the slower bicycle. Cyclists are not always the easiest to spot and while these collisions are seldom intentional, they usually can be traced to the driver’s negligence in not paying attention. One of

Pima County sponsors a number of different bike safety classes including classes designed specifically for children and university students. All classes are conducted by L.A.B. League cycling instructors, and free bike safety items such as helmets, bike lights, and u-locks are often included with participation. See the schedule for Bike Safety Classes.

The Pima County Department of Transportation's (PCDOT) Bicycle & Pedestrian Program will offer mountain bike classes, mechanics, women's mechanics, and Bicycle Information for Kid's Education classes. Instructors certified through the League of American Bicyclists will lead the courses, most of which are limited in space. Call 724-BIKE (2453) to find out more about the classes and to sign up. Participants must bring their own bikes. The following is the class schedule, provided by the PCDOT: Get Back on Your Bike classes: an easy 2-hour ride where we get you set up and read