In order to avoid bike accidents in Santa Monica, California, cyclists must be prepared to maneuver quickly. Although the city only has 90,000 residents, it has become one of the most famous resort towns in California and attracts tourists from around the world to its beautiful ocean scenery. With so many people from out-of-town, not everybody knows the streets as well as the locals. This creates potential hazards everywhere you bike.

If you're a cyclist in Santa Monica, you need to have advanced steering skills so you can maneuver quickly and avoid obstacles. Here are a few steering tips that will reduce your risk of being in a bike accident:

Slippery Areas: You should always do your best to avoid terrain that will cause your bike to lose control. Slippery areas such as gravel, ice, leaves, oil, or painted surfaces can often pose a danger as they are difficult to steer on. If you find yourself on this type of surface you should avoid braking or accelerating as both could cause you to slide out of control and lead to a bike accident.

Small Obstacles: If you are riding in Santa Monica with little room to maneuver, you can still avoid small obstacles that might lie in your path by using the rock-dodge maneuver. This steering technique is great for avoiding small bike accidents as it is simple and effective. To complete this maneuver, you just need to turn your handlebars one way before correcting your balance by turning them to the other side; this allows your wheel to wrap around the object before continuing on.

Quick Turns: Many cyclists in Santa Monica have a tough time making quick turns to avoid bike accidents. However, a simple trick you can practice in a parking lot will make all the difference. The best way to make a rapid change of direction is to first twitch your handle bars the direction way of where you want to turn. This will cause your bicycle to lean into your turn, at which point you can twist your handlebars the correct direction and the bike will pull around much quicker than otherwise possible.

Observation: The most important aspect in turning is to KNOW where to turn. If you aren't constantly watching what is happening in front of you and around you then you will be surprised when something comes in your way. However, by looking ahead and preparing yourself for obstacles, you'll avoid any potential bike accidents before they ever become a threat.

Santa Monica is a great place for cyclists to ride with plenty of bike paths and bike lanes. However, a bike accident can happen at any time. In fact, there were 94 accidents in 2006 including one fatal collision. By improving your steering ability and constantly observing your surroundings, you'll make the roads a much safer place for you to bike.