Skill 1. Control your bike
Beginning Cycling
A good introduction to everyday bicycling from the League of American Bicyclists, the nation’s oldest bike advocacy and education organization. Useful if you’re new to bicycling and also if you’d like to improve your skills and confidence.
How to Fit a Bicycle
Good short article from one of the authors of the Commute Orlando website.
Bicycle Safety Tips for Adults
This video from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows how to safely “drive,” fit and maintain a bicycle.
Night Lights
This video by League of American Bicyclists Education Director Preston Tyree demonstrates how different lights and reflectors make bicyclists more visible at night.
ABC Quick Check – Bicycle Safety
This video with bike safety instructor Dan Gutierrez shows how to check the main parts of your bike before you ride.
Skill 2. Share the road
Bike-related laws in California
This summary of bike-related sections of the California Vehicle Code covers the rights and responsibilities of a bicyclist.
Skill 3. Make yourself visible
Rules of the Road
A comprehensive index of basic rules of the road from the League of American Bicyclists.
The Rights and Duties of Cyclists
On-the-road video footage of League of American Bicyclists-certified instructors demonstrates basic bicycling principles and techniques.
Avoiding the Door Zone
This video shows where to ride to avoid colliding with an open car door.
Skill 4. Respond to hazards
Bike Crash Scenarios and How to Avoid Them
A clear explanation of the five most common types of bike-car collisions, including diagrams.
Skill 5. Protect your head and hands
How to Choose a Bicycle Helmet
Tips and a video on choosing the right helmet, from REI.
Other resources
Commute Orlando
One of the very best websites for understanding how to use your bike safely and confidently for everyday transportation. Includes great graphics and videos to help you understand how crashes happen and how to avoid them. Although created for bicyclists in Orlando, Florida, much of the information is useful for California bicyclists.
Bike safety education throughout the U.S.
The League of American Bicyclists searchable index helps you find bike safety courses and certified instructors in every state. To locate a League-certified instructor (LCI) in California, check “Instructors (LCIs)”, select “California” and click “Search.” There are more than 250 LCIs active in California.
Spanish-language bike resource guide
Developed by the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition’s City of Lights Program, this Spanish-language guide covers the basics of bicycling, including safe riding, bike maintenance and legal rights and responsibilities.
California Bicycle Coalition
CBC is a statewide advocacy and education organization that promotes bicycling as a way to help create safe, healthy and livable communities. CBC is the creator of BIKE SAFE CALIFORNIA.