GoKapital Loans not only provides loans to entrepreneurs, but promotes their entrepreneurial focus. Here we explore how that focus extends to promoting safety awareness through taking the time to understand laws and how they impact safety. California’s bicycle helmet law in California for adults, for example, is a growing concern for business owners and commuters alike. Understanding local regulations can protect business interests and personnel.
As stated on their website, GoKapital “is a company, comprised of entrepreneurs who came together to provide financing and other obligations required in order for a business to grow and succeed.” They maintain that their work with businesses is unique. They ask, “What if you had a funding partner who understood you? Wouldn’t it make sense to acquire that service from someone that has been where you are?”
The reality is that most business owners have encountered the issues of needing to balance equipment loans with other expenses. They understand the nature and importance of cash flow; however, simply understanding the nature of a situation won’t allow most businesses to grow into successes. That’s why they seek capital in the form of loans. This is GoKapital’s business; providing financing solutions across a variety of industries and types of businesses.
First, let’s understand that this is not a lecture or “talking down” to the reader. The intention is to provide relevant insight as to what else is going on in California. Especially considering that the law is only a click away. By understanding it we can learn the ins-and-outs of how to run our public lives, be it a business or otherwise.
That said, as of 2018 California law requires all motorcyclists and bicyclists (including passengers) to wear helmets. Proposition 42 was passed by the voters and that new section of California Vehicle Code Law 27802 effectively criminalizes anyone who violates the following rule: “(a) A helmet meeting the specifications set forth in subdivision (b) shall be worn by every person operating or riding upon a motorized bicycle, or upon a bicycle equipped with a helper motor, while the motor is operating.”
The law provides a number of exceptions for certain people and circumstances including conditions in which a person with a disability may not be able to safely wear a helmet, a first offense can result in the issuance of an infraction without a fine, and those using bicycles for work purposes or who cross over sidewalks are not always required to wear them. Exceptions exist for uniformed employees, contract employees, contractors, and more.
In addition to commercial motor vehicle drivers/cyclists, anyone commuting and “sharing the road” for personal uses should be aware of this law (and any other similar measures). The law is not limited to just bicycles; it also deals with “motorized bicycles” and “electric bicycles.” Thus an electric bicycle, and bicycles with motors are also governed under these potentially life-saving laws.
Ignoring any mandatory safety provisions by local, state, or federal government can cause several complications. Being uninformed, now that’s a no-no – but ignorance with knowledge about your rights? That’s adding another level of trouble. For one, any employee breaking the law puts the employer “in the hot-seat.” Employers can be sued for wrongful termination, and they may not get the results they want. This makes having clear internal instructions that require any procedures for monitoring, evaluation, and accountability for violations of written legal policies even more important. However, it’s worth asking why should employers be concerned about prohibiting their employees from violating regulations? Ignoring the law can open the door to other potentially expensive and time-consuming headaches that could bottom-line your business. Most importantly, failing to comply with a safety regulation means that any injuries occurring can be excluded from liability due to the victim’s contributory behavior. This adversely affects financial, ethical, and legal efforts to collect fair compensation from the parties responsible, and rarely favors the business. Insurance can cover these things, but it doesn’t always work out that way. Eventually keeping your business safe is worth avoiding local liability.
For more information on bicycle safety laws, you can visit Wikipedia.