Archive for Bicycle Safety

64-year old man killed in Placentia collision Friday evening, as SoCal’s awful August just keeps getting worse.

August 30, 2025 / / One comment

This awful August just keeps getting worse.

My News LA is reporting that a man was killed riding a bicycle in Placentia yesterday evening — the 10th fatal Southern California bicycling crash we’ve learned about this month.

According to the site, the victim was riding on the 200 block of East Orangethorpe Ave around 5 pm Friday when he was struck by a driver.

The victim, identified only as a 64-year old man, was taken to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries.

There’s no word at this time on how the crash occurred, or who may have been at fault. But at least the driver remained at the scene.

A street view appears to show bike lanes on Orangethorpe, along with two traffic lines in each direction and a center left turn lane.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Traffic Bureau of Placentia Police Department at 714/993-8157.

This is at least the 39th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in Orange County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

39-year old man killed riding bicycle in Santa Ana Wednesday night; driver arrested for DUI

August 28, 2025 / / 4 comments

Please, not another one.

For the ninth time this month, we’ve learned about yet another person killed riding a bicycle in Southern California.

According to a press release from the Santa Ana Police Department, a man was killed by an alleged drunk driver while riding in the city Wednesday night.

The victim, identified as 39-year old Wilmington resident Andrew Rodriguez, was crossing Grand Ave at Fairhaven Ave when he was struck by a southbound driver around 11:35 pm.

Rodriguez died at the scene, despite the efforts of officers and paramedics. The driver, 26-year old Santa Ana resident Vanessa Anahi Picenavalos, was arrested for DUI.

The intersection is controlled by a traffic signal; there’s no word on who may have had the right-of-way. There’s no bicycle infrastructure in any direction

Anyone with information is urged to call Santa Ana Police Detective K. Briley at 714/245-8215, or the Traffic Division of the Santa Ana Police Department at 714/245-8200.

This is at least the 38th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in Orange County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Andrew Rodriguez and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , , ,

Man riding bicycle killed by driver in Twentynine Palms Monday afternoon, 8th SoCal bicycling death reported this month

August 26, 2025 / / No comments

A bad month for Southern California bike riders just keeps getting worse.

For the eighth time this month, we’ve learned that someone was killed riding a bicycle, this time in Twentynine Palms.

According to a press release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department reposted by a local radio station, the victim was struck by a driver while riding on the 5100 block of Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms around 12:51 pm on Monday.

Investigators report the victim, who has not been publicly identified, was riding north on Adobe while weaving in and out of the northbound lanes. He was struck by the driver, presumably head-on, after swerving onto the southbound side of the road.

He died at the scene, despite the effort of bystanders and first responders to perform CPR.

The driver remained on scene and cooperated with investigators, and is not believed to have been under the influence.

Adobe is a four lane mostly rural roadway with a center turn lane; there are a handful on businesses on the west side of the road the victim may have been attempting to get to when he was killed.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station at 760/366-4175, or anonymously at 1-800/782-7463 or at wetip.com.

This is at least the 37th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in San Bernardino County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones. 

 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

13-year old Michael Smith killed by speeding hit-and-run driver in South LA last month; ghost bike installed tomorrow

August 20, 2025 / / 3 comments

This is what keeps me up at night. And what really pisses me off.

Because not only did the police, city and news media fail to inform us about yet another fatal hit-and-run, but the victim was a kid just out for a bike ride.

Here’s what we know so far about the needless death of Michael Smith, courtesy of a press release from Streets Are For Everyone.

The loved ones of Michael Kejuan Ramaun James Smith, Streets Are For Everyone, community members, and members of SAFE Families will host a Ghost Bike Memorial event to honor and remember Michael Smith, who was struck and killed by a speeding driver on July 22nd, 2025.

Michael was riding his bicycle on 83rd Street, headed toward Main Street to pick up a friend for a bike ride. He was struck and instantly killed by a speeding driver who was allegedly traveling at 75 MPH on a residential street. The driver fled the scene but was later arrested and has since been released on bail.

Michael, who would have celebrated his 13th birthday on September 16, was a radiant and compassionate child who loved riding bikes. He was also an entrepreneur, running his own ice cream truck since the age of seven, with dreams of growing his business and future.

The intersection is controlled with a traffic light, but are no bike lanes on either street.

This is at least the 36th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 14th that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County; this was also the seventh we’ve learned about in the City of LA.

Six of those seven Los Angeles victims lost their lives riding in South LA.

Michael Smith was the 12th SoCal bike rider killed by a hit-and-run driver since the first of the year — fully one third of everyone killed riding a bicycle in Southern California this year.

But at least this time, they — allegedly — caught the heartless coward who left Michel to die in the street.

If you want to attend the ghost bike installation tomorrow, here is the information from the press release. If you do, ask Councilmember Price why we continue to all this to happen in South LA.

And why no one is telling us about it.

Ghost Bike Memorial Details

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025

Time: 4:30 PM

Location: Intersection of 83rd Street & Main Street, South Los Angeles

Who:

Ellen Atwater, Michael’s Mother, and other family members
Councilmember Curren D Price Jr.
Damian Kevitt, Executive Director of Streets Are For Everyone
Pastor Patricia Strong-Fargas, Co-Chair, Faith for SAFEr Streets
John Jones III, Founder of East Side Riders
Members of SAFE Families
Friends and community members

In addition to the ghost bike, 13 white doves will be released in honor of Michael, who would have turned 13 years old next month.

Update: My News LA reports the crash occurred around 2:55 pm. Michael died after being taken to a hospital. 

Photo courtesy of SAFE

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , , ,

Man collecting recyclables on a bicycle killed in early morning in South LA hit-and-run; 5th South LA bike rider killed this year

August 18, 2025 / / One comment

Seriously, not another one.

For at least the fifth time this year, someone has been killed riding a bicycle in South Los Angeles.

And for the fourth time, the driver fled the scene; perhaps the only reason the other driver didn’t was he was too injured to drive away.

According to multiple sources, the victim was killed while collecting recyclables with his dog early Monday morning in the Broadway-Manchester neighborhood.

The victim, who was identified only as a man in his 50s or 60s, was apparently riding on East 95th Street when he was struck by a driver crossing on San Pedro around 1:20 am.

He died at the scene.

The driver fled the scene; there’s no description of the suspect or their vehicle at this time.

According to Fox11, the crash left food, wheels and a recycling cart strewn across the intersection. The station reports that friends and relatives of the victim gathered near the scene afterwards, describing him as a “nice guy who never caused any trouble.”

The victim’s dog was following behind his bicycle, and wasn’t hurt in the collision. He was taken in by a volunteer group.

There is a bike lane on San Pedro, but nothing on 95th. The intersection is controlled only with a stop sign on 95th; it’s unclear if it would have be lighted at that hour.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the LAPD’s Southeast Division.

This is at least the 35th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 13th that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County; this was also the sixth we’ve learned about in the City of LA.

And he was the 11th SoCal bike rider killed by a hit-and-run driver since the first of the year

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and their loved ones. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Bicyclist dies two days after rural Hemet collision; 10th SoCal bike rider killed in past 30 days

August 12, 2025 / / No comments

Things clearly aren’t getting any better out there.

For the 10th time in the past 30 days, someone riding a bicycle in Southern California has been killed by a driver, this time in Hemet.

According to the Hemet Police Department, the victim died two days after suffering what initially appeared to be moderate injuries in a collision Friday evening.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was riding east on Hemet’s Lincoln Avenue when he was struck by a motorist traveling north on Soboba Street around 6:08 pm.

The victim was taken to a local hospital, where they died on Sunday.

The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Police don’t suspect they were under the influence.

The crash occurred at a rural intersection controlled with four-way stop signs, with no form of bicycle infrastructure in any direction.

Anyone with information is urged to call Hemet Police Corporal Christian Coley at 951/765-2400, reference file #2025-05320.

This is at least the 34th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fifth that I’m aware of in Riverside County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and their loved ones. 

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , ,

Man walking bicycle killed crossing Long Beach street Wednesday evening; 8th SoCal bike rider killed in last 16 days

August 8, 2025 / / No comments

I just can’t.

For the eighth time in the last 16 days, someone riding a bicycle has been killed in Southern California, an average of one every other day.

Or in this case, just walking a bicycle across a Long Beach street.

Multiple sources are reporting that a man was walking east across Pacific Place near Wardlow Road with his bike, when he was struck by a northbound driver around 6:07 pm Wednesday.

He was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Police don’t believe speed, impaired driving or distracted driving contributed to the crash.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was reportedly walking outside of a crosswalk at the time of the crash. That’s legal under California law as long as it’s safe to cross; it could have looked that way to the victim before he started across the four lane street.

There’s also no word on which side of Wardlow he was on, or where he was in relation to the intersection. However, there is an A Line train station and bus stops north of Wardlow; it’s possible he was walking his bike to the station when he was struck.

Unfortunately, with the limited information we have at this time, there’s no way to know what really happened, or why. Hopefully, we’ll learn more soon.

The Long Beach Post reports that Pacific is one of the city’s most dangerous streets.

Pacific Avenue, which becomes Pacific Place at Wardlow, has been among the city’s deadliest streets in recent years, recording nine deaths in vehicular collisions since 2020, most of them being pedestrians.

City officials are redesigning the street to slow traffic and enlarge spaces for bikers and walkers.

Maybe they should hurry.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to call Detective Efrain Pineda of the Long Beach Police Department’s Collision Investigation Detail at 562/570-7355.

This is at least the 33rd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 12th that I’m aware of in Los Angeles County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Man on bicycle killed by driver while riding on I-5 in National City; 7th SoCal bike rider killed in last 15 days

August 6, 2025 / / One comment

For God’s sake, make it stop, already.

For the seventh time in just over two weeks, someone riding a bicycle has been killed on the mean streets of Southern California.

Or a freeway, in this case.

According to multiple sources, a man on a bicycle was killed when he was struck by a driver while riding on southbound Interstate 5 in National City around 1 am Wednesday.

The Times of San Diego places the location near the mouth of the Sweetwater River, while other sources locate it near the Mile of Cars.

The victim, who has not been publicly identified, died at the scene.

The driver remained following the crash, and cooperated with investigators. Police do not believe that person was under the influence, while a toxicology report for the victim is pending.

There’s no word at this time whether the victim was riding in the traffic lanes or on the shoulder of the freeway. There’s also no information on why he was on the freeway, or whether it is legal in that area; generally, bicycles are prohibited from limited access highways in California if there is an alternate route, which would seem to be the case here.

Anyone with information is urged to call the CHP San Diego Area at 858/293-6000.

This is at least the 32nd bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the seventh that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , ,

Update: 20-year old surfer Kolby Aipa dies three days after Huntington Beach ebike crash; grandson of legendary “surf royalty”

August 6, 2025 / / 6 comments

As if the news hasn’t been bad enough lately, now we’re learning that the grandson of a surf legend has died following an ebike crash.

According to the Daily Pilot, the victim, identified as 20-year old Huntington Beach resident Kolby Aipa, died three days after he was struck by a car that had been towing him on PCH.

The crash occurred around 10:08 p.m. Saturday night, near Seapoint Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach.

Aipa was taken to UCI Medical Center suffering from critical injuries, where he was placed on life support. His family’s business posted online that he died Tuesday afternoon.

Surfer writes that Aipa was heir to “surf royalty,” the grandson of legendary surfer, board shaper and surfing coach Ben Aipa, a member of both the Surfing Walk of Fame and Surfers’ Hall of Fame. He was the inventor of the groundbreaking Sting surfboard design.

According to the magazine,

Following in his strong surfing lineage, Kolby was an up-and-coming surfer himself. He was sponsored by the clothing brand AVVA, Dakine, Cobian footwear, and others. He was a member of the Huntington Beach Board Riders club…

A memorial paddle-out for Kolby is being planned; stay tuned for more information.

There’s no word on why Aipa was being towed by a car, which was driven by people he knew. However, it’s possible that his ebike battery had died, and he was being towed rather than pedaling a heavy bike.

Or it could have just been an ill-advised stunt.

According to a crowdfunding campaign in his honor,

Kolby always had a way with touching the lives of whoever he met. His acts of kindness and caring was his gift of Aloha to friends and strangers alike. To everyone that reads this…pass his Aloha on. So, how Kolby treated you, treat others in that same way…

In this you are continuing his legacy of Aloha.

As of this writing, the campaign has raised nearly $69,000 of the $75,000 goal.

This is at least the 31st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the just the third that I’m aware of in Orange County.

Update: According to My News LA, Aipa was holding onto a Toyota Tacoma pickup being driven south on PCH — a practice known as skitching — when the driver somehow lost control of the truck, leading to their collision.

There should be no need to point out how dangerous that can be. 

My deepest sympathy and prayers for Kolby Aipa and his loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , , ,

Ebike rider killed by San Diego MTS Blue Line trolley in Chula Vista early Monday afternoon

August 4, 2025 / / 2 comments

The deadly toll affecting bike riders on Southern California streets continued in Chula Vista Monday afternoon.

Although this time, the killer wasn’t in a mobile vehicle.

It was a San Diego trolley.

According to multiple sources, the victim was riding an ebike across the Blue Line tracks near Moss Street and Industrial Blvd, when they were struck by the operator of a northbound trolley operated by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, or MTS, around 12:44 pm.

According to a witness, the victim was thrown “at least” seven or eight feet into the air by the impact of the crash. Afterwards, investigators focused on what appeared to be a backpack worn by the victim, as well as the shattered pieces of the bike.

There’s no word at this time about the identity of the victim, or whether the crossing gates were working at the time of the crash.

As the witness, Caleb Reyes, told San Diego’s NBC7, always look both ways before crossing any kind of street, pathway or railroad track.

And never, ever ignore railroad warning signals or ride around lowered crossing gates, regardless of whether you think the train has stopped or the danger has passed.

Because there’s a good chance you might be wrong.

This is at least the 30th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the sixth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and their loved ones.

Category: Injuries and Fatalities / Tags: , , , , , , ,
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