Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. They are at a higher risk of succumbing to road accident injuries as they lack a protective metal cage that shields them from direct impact. Although cyclists make up only one percent of trips in the US, they account for more than two percent of fatal road accidents.
If you or your loved ones have been injured in a bicycle accident by someone else’s fault, you are eligible for compensation. You can get financial aid for your medical bills, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. However, the process of getting compensation can be quite complex.
This is where an expert lawyer, such as Rich Godshall, can be a beneficial ally. Such professionals know the ins and outs of personal injury law and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Let’s take a look at the significance of bike lanes and some statistics when it comes to bike accidents and other safety hazards.
Statistics and Government Measures
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1,000 cyclists die yearly, while another 130,000 are injured due to accidents. Most cyclist deaths occur in urban areas, with 27 percent occurring at intersections.
Death statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2020 showed an increase of nine percent in cyclist deaths from 2019.
Over the years, the government has added bicycle lanes to the highways to improve cyclist safety. These lanes are dedicated to bicyclists and are often marked with stripes or signs to separate them from highways.
Are Bike Lanes Safe?
To evaluate bike lanes’ safety, let us look at their disadvantages and advantages:
Advantages of Cycling Lanes
Bike lanes have provided many advantages to cyclists. Let’s discuss some of these in detail:
- They have improved cyclist safety, and creating dedicated cyclist lanes on highways has reduced the number of cyclist casualties caused by vehicle collisions.
- They have also made commuting by bike more accessible. Bicyclists do not have to worry about traffic and pedestrians when using bike lanes. This has, in turn, encouraged more people to pick up the activity as a hobby or form of transport as it is more affordable.
- Since these lanes are designed for cyclists only, they allow cyclists to ride faster as there are minimal obstacles.
- Bike lanes have fewer stops and trails, allowing greater cyclist mobility.
Disadvantages of Bike Lanes
If improperly designed, bike lanes could pose a safety hazard to cyclists. Poorly implemented lanes increase traffic congestion and make driving more difficult.
- Motorists who drive on bike lanes endanger cyclists. Motorists who use bike lanes to escape traffic congestion are likely to collide with cyclists as these are their designated lanes.
- Some motorists also park their vehicles in bike lanes, creating obstacles for cyclists. This makes it difficult for cyclists to maneuver through the bike lane, which is less wide than the rest of the road.
- Incorporating bike lanes in cities might reduce space for other vehicles. In the long run, this may create traffic congestion, resulting in empty bike lanes but jammed-up motorist lanes.
- Pedestrians might think of the bike lane as a sidewalk extension. When this happens, cyclists have difficulty riding on the bike lanes as they constantly have to avoid hitting pedestrians.
Final Thoughts
Bicycle lane safety ultimately depends on how they are used. If motorists and pedestrians respect bicycle lanes, then they become useful. However, these lanes become a safety hazard if other road users overlook them.
Cyclists should remember that bike lanes do not offer full-blown protection from accidents. They should take additional safety measures such as wearing safety gear, following road rules, and riding within the speed limit.
Regardless of the downsides, bike lanes have proved to be quite effective in improving biking safety. The advantages of bike lanes outweigh the disadvantages, which can often be solved through proper planning and implementation.
