Besides scoters, cycling has become an increasingly popular way to move around Westwood. Students often use bikes to travel between campus buildings, nearby apartments, and recreation areas around UCLA. While biking offers a convenient and environmentally friendly option, the growing number of riders has also led to more collisions between cars and bicycles.
Many of these accidents occur near recreation facilities and outdoor spaces where bike traffic is highest. Riders leaving sports complexes, fitness centers, or nearby parks often merge directly onto busy streets that are already filled with vehicle traffic. When drivers are not expecting cyclists to appear suddenly, dangerous situations can develop quickly.
One common cause of collisions is drivers failing to check for bicycles before turning. When a driver makes a right turn at an intersection or driveway, they may focus on other vehicles and overlook a cyclist approaching in a bike lane or along the edge of the road. Because bicycles are smaller and quieter than cars, they can be easy to miss during quick glances.
Speed differences between vehicles and bicycles also create risk. Cyclists traveling downhill or moving quickly through an intersection may surprise drivers who assume they have more time to turn or merge. Misjudging the cyclist’s speed can lead to sudden impacts.
Layered on top of that, speeding in parking areas near recreation spaces present another hazard. Drivers quickly pulling out of parking lots may focus on vehicle traffic while overlooking cyclists riding along the curb. At the same time, cyclists may assume they are visible when in reality a driver’s view is blocked by parked cars or landscaping.
These kinds of drivers are typically the type to be easily distracted and not very aware of their surroundings. Both drivers and cyclists sometimes rely on phones for navigation, messages, or music. Even a few seconds of inattention can cause someone to miss an approaching rider or vehicle.
An essential key for nighttime cyclists is that they need to be using proper lights or reflective gear. Streets near UCLA can remain active well into the evening, particularly around gyms and sports facilities. When lighting conditions are poor, visibility becomes a major concern for both riders and drivers. Injuries from bicycle accidents can be severe because riders have very little protection compared with people inside vehicles. Head injuries, fractures, and road rash are common outcomes even in moderate speed collisions. Protective equipment like helmets can reduce the severity of some injuries but cannot prevent every risk.
California law requires drivers to share the road with cyclists and provide adequate space when passing. However, many drivers are unfamiliar with these rules or underestimate the vulnerability of riders traveling alongside them.
As cycling continues to grow in popularity around UCLA, awareness from both riders and drivers will remain an essential part of keeping Westwood’s streets safer for everyone. For people injured in bicycle accidents, understanding what happened and who may be responsible can feel overwhelming. Evidence such as witness statements, roadway conditions, and traffic patterns can all play a role in determining liability.
Attorney Kamelia Jalilvand has experience helping injured individuals navigate situations where multiple factors contributed to an accident. Her approach focuses on carefully reviewing the circumstances surrounding a collision so injured cyclists and drivers alike can better understand their legal options.