There’s a number of accessories out there that can either prevent injury, protect you in the case of, or both. While a lot of them require a small outlay of money, in the end — your safety and protection is worth it. Learn more here about how these accessories can prevent bicycle accidents and injuries.
Bicycling, as both a mode of transportation and of recreation, is on the rise across the country. But with this growing popularity comes a growing number of injuries and deaths due to bicycle accidents.
Recent data that illustrates the danger includes:
- In 2012, 726 people died in bicycle crashes with motor vehicles nationwide; 49,000 were injured.
- The total cost of bicycle crash injuries and deaths totals approximately $4 billion per year.
- Bicyclist injuries between 2001 and 2011 increased by 8.9%.
Statistics on the age, gender, and location of bicycle crashes are enlightening as well:
- In 2012 the average age of bicyclists killed in accident with vehicles was 43 years old.
- 88% of people killed in bicycle crashes were male.
- 69% of fatal bike crashes occurred in urban areas; 30% occurred between 4-8 p.m.
- 24% of bicyclists killed in crashes had Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 g/dL or higher.
When a bicycle crash results in injury, the data illustrates clearly that collisions with vehicles is the greatest danger to bicyclists:
- In 2012, nearly one third of injury bicycle crashes happen in a collision with a motor vehicle;
- 17% of injuries occurred when the bicyclist fell;
- 13% happened in a bike crash caused by uneven or unrepaired roadways;
- 13% were due to rider error or inattention.
It’s a fact that cyclists are getting more and more hate from drivers these days. Unfortunately, most of what gets yelled at cyclists in the moments after a near-miss is absolutely, 100% incorrect. Things like…
As the weather warms, more people take their bicycles on the road, for commuting to work, helping the environment, exercise, recreation, and to save on automobile expenses. As bicycling gains in popularity, also on the rise is the likelihood of a crash with a car, truck, or other vehicle – and, so often, these crashes result in serious injury or death to the cyclist involved. In sharing the road with bicyclists, motorists can do a few simple things to make everyone's journey safer. Click here for tips on how to avoid common errors that drivers sometimes make that can result in serious injury or death.
Did you know that some cities do not require bicyclists to wear helmets? There is no state law mandating their use, either. This is surprising, due to statistics showing that “helmet use has been estimated to reduce head injury risk by 85 percent,” according to the Bicycle Safety Helmet Institute, a volunteer advocacy group. Go here to learn how helmets protect you, and why you should never get on your bike without one.