Is Riding a Motorcycle in Los Angeles Unsafe?

The popularity of motorcycles is on the rise in the U.S. Although they may not be as common as cars on the roads, the trend is still going upward. California is considered a place where motorcycling is quite common. People love to ride bikes there. Similarly, in Los Angeles, people are crazy for motorcycling. You can find many biker enthusiasts there.

The County of Los Angeles offers beautiful landscapes, scenic attractions, urban settings, and numerous roads and highways. The infrastructure, along with nature, is at its peak. All these factors significantly contribute to making motorcycling a popular form of transportation. Additionally, motorcycles are often considered a luxury for long-distance road travel and adventurous pursuits.

Riding a motorcycle naturally comes with certain risks and threats, whether you ride in Los Angeles or anywhere else in the world. However, certain particular conditions can create a difference. Though popular, riding a motorcycle in Los Angeles can be a little riskier than usual due to certain factors.

Considering the facts and stats, they suggest that Los Angeles is comparatively a dangerous county compared to others in the state of California. As per the stats provided by Berkeley, the number of deaths and severe injuries in motorcycle accidents is the highest in Los Angeles compared to other counties in California. So, there is a reason why Los Angeles is considered unsafe for bike riders.

Being the largest and most populous county in the United States, Los Angeles also has the busiest roads. The roads and freeways are mostly full of heavy traffic and cars. The greater the number of road users out on the road, the more road accidents will occur.

Even a small mistake while riding a motorcycle in Los Angeles can cost you big in terms of injuries. You may not get enough time to recover from emergency braking. Sharp corners, intersections, and highways are some of the most common spots where most accidents occur in LA.

Another major aspect why Los Angeles, particularly California, is dangerous for motorcycle riders is because of lane splitting. California is the only state in the U.S. that legally permits riders to split lanes. There are other states as well that only allow lane filtering under certain conditions.

Well, lane splitting can be beneficial to overcome road congestion and increase the flow of traffic. But, overall, it can be very dangerous for motorcycle riders to ensure their safety. When done at higher speeds, lane splitting can become a reason for severe or even life-threatening injuries.

On the other hand, the weather usually remains moderate, warm, and sunny. However, riding a motorcycle in the rain can become an issue as riders aren’t used to it.

Overall, Los Angeles may not be the safest county in California for motorcycle riders, but with better traffic laws and responsible riders, the place can be made much safer for bikers. Always follow the traffic rules, wear a DOT-approved helmet, and full safety riding gear if you want to keep on enjoying riding a motorcycle in Los Angeles, California, or anywhere.