Brentwood, California, was recently rated a Bronze level bicycle friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists. The city of 40,000 is certainly deserving of the award, as it continues to put bicycling first in all its engineering efforts. However, you still need to take caution while riding your bicycle in Brentwood, because unexpected obstacles could always cause a bike accident.

In July, 2008, two bicyclists were seriously injured on the popular Mandeville Canyon Road, a 5 mile stretch of twists and turns with no traffic lights. A local resident who had an issue with the growing popularity of the route for cyclists decided to slam on his brakes in front of two riders, causing them to crash into the back of his car.

While cyclists are often helpless in such a situation, defensive riding tactics could provide an escape route. Here are three ways you can bike safer in Brentwood, California:

Know Your Limits -- While it is true that you are safer when you can keep up to the speed of traffic, it is also dangerous to bike beyond your ability. Some cyclists might be able to go much faster than you and still safely maneuver around obstacles. However, others cannot. Don't
push yourself out of your comfort zone while riding. If you don't feel safe while biking, it usually means you aren't.

Choose a Safe Route -- You shouldn't always choose the same route on a bicycle as you would on a car. By avoiding the main roads, school zones (during busy times), and areas with poor visibility, you'll decrease your chance of being involved in a bike accident.

Ride Defensively -- While you must understand and follow the rules of the road, you also need to need to pay attention to your surroundings. Bike accidents often occur with the cyclist having the right of way. You can avoid the possibility of a bike accident by staying out of blind spots and giving cars in front of you a lot of room on a downhill.

Although bike accidents aren't a common occurrence in Brentwood, you still need to be careful while riding. The city has accommodated for cyclists by building trail bridges and bicycle underpasses while also ensuring clean shoulders and bike lanes, but nothing can guarantee your safety at all times.

If you do get in a bicycle accident in Brentwood, California, you need to contact a personal injury lawyer. An attorney specializing in bike accidents can assist you in recovering the full compensation the law and circumstances allow.