Spring is already here, and that means bicycling season is on in full swing in the state of California. That also means that these bicyclists, both children and adults, must be equipped with the skills necessary to ride safely in California's notoriously bicycle unfriendly streets.

The Golden State has the kind of sunny, year-round warm weather that bicyclists love. California’s congested streets could also use a reprieve from fewer cars and more numbers of people using bikes to get around. Unfortunately, successive governments have paid little attention to improving bicycle infrastructure, increasing training of law enforcement officers in handling bicycle accidents, and training of bicyclists. The result is that bicycling in California is considered a risky activity. It doesn't have to be so. Both bicyclists and motorists must collaborate to make our streets safer for bikers.

Bicyclists must:

Always wear a helmet. Helmets aren't just for children. Adults too must wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet. According to research, bicycle helmets can prevent three out of every four bicycle accident injuries. Most importantly, wearing a bicycle helmet can lower your chances of suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury in an accident. You may not be able to avoid fractures and other injuries if you fall from your bike, but a helmet can cushion your skull from the kind of impact that can cause a long-lasting brain injury. For this however, it’s important that you wear a high-quality, strong, well fitting helmet.

Make sure that the bicycle is in prime condition before you begin riding. Check the air pressure on your tires. Make sure that the brakes are functioning properly.

Dress in a manner that helps you stand out from the rest of the traffic. Wear bright colored clothing. Colors like bright yellow help you stand out from the dozens of cars that you'll be sharing space with. At night, wear reflective clothing. Make sure that your bicycle reflectors are on at night.

If you are a first-time bicyclist, make sure that you have the right kind of training before you begin riding.  Ask at your local bicycle club, or ask other bicyclists for training programs that can help you make a start. California injury lawyers often notice that many bicyclists start riding, hoping to pick up the same skills they used when they biked back in school. There is more to staying alive on a bicycle than having a sense of balance.

A concussion is the most common brain injury in children according to a wikipedia page dedicated to head injuries.  Most of these concussions are caused from a blow to the head during a fall, car accident or sporting event.  If left untreated or if the injured person goes back to a risky activity too soon, it could be fatal.

Second Impact Syndrome happens when a person receives a concussion and then receives another concussion before the first one has time to heal.  A concussion is just a swelling of the brain.  This swelling puts pressure on sensitive areas as it presses against the skull.  A person who receives a second impact to the head, before it has had time to heal could be susceptible to a TBI (traumatic brain injury) or even death.  Young people are especially at risk since their brains are more sensitive to the swelling.

A teenage boy died to to SIS during a football game.  The initial blow to the head happened 3 weeks earlier.  The boy complained of headaches during his time off but was still cleared to play.  The full story can be read at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/sports/17preps.html?hp.

It is important to protect your head at all times.  Buckle up, where a helmet and other safety gear when possible.  If you do receive a blow to the head, make sure you see a physician.  Let them determine when it is ok for you to participate in physical activities again.