Bicycle accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries and deaths throughout the U.S. Like pedestrians, bike riders are much more prone to suffer catastrophic injuries and be killed in crashes with motor vehicles. This vulnerability, coupled with the dramatic rise in reckless driving has led to some grim statistics involving bicyclists. For example, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in California alone bicycle accident deaths have increased over 60% since 2010.
Three of the largest cities in the Golden State are working to do something about that disturbing statistic. From providing incentives to promote bicycle safety to implementing dedicated bike lanes for cyclists, each of these cities is taking a unique approach to making biking safer.
San Francisco
San Francisco currently makes the list of the safest cities for bicycle riders every year, usually landing among the top 10. This wasn’t always the case. The city has made vast improvements in bicycle safety over the last few years and currently boasts almost 500 miles of bike lanes.
There are also a wide range of incentives to help cyclists stay safe. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition offers free helmets and lights to cyclists, as well as classes on bike safety and maintenance. In addition, bike riders can take advantage of San Francisco’s bike share program, which allows riders to rent a bike and drop it off at any of the city’s bike share stations.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is taking a two-pronged approach to bicycle safety by focusing on traffic laws and infrastructure. The city has implemented a new law that requires drivers to leave a three-foot buffer when passing a cyclist on the road. This change is meant to give cyclists more room to maneuver and reduce the chances of an accident caused by a driver’s careless passing.
Some cities within Los Angeles County have gone a step further and implemented protected bike lanes that are physically separated from traffic. Currently, several cities and neighborhoods provide bike lanes separated from traffic by pylons and/or concrete barriers. They include Culver City, Downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach. What’s more, an expansion of the protected bike lane network is currently being built throughout the county.
San Diego
San Diego is also taking steps to create a safer infrastructure for cyclists. The city has created bike lanes that are fully separated from other traffic lanes and has designated areas where cyclists can access facilities, such as bike-share stations. Plus, it is acting to reduce bicycle accidents involving pedestrians by enacting a law that requires cyclists to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
Attorney J.J. Dominguez of The Dominguez Firm noted, “Effective bike safety measures are sorely needed. But right now, bicycle accident injuries and deaths are happening at an alarming rate. These aren’t just statistics, these are people’s lives at risk.” He continued, “Anyone who’s been injured or lost a loved one in a bike accident should take legal action against those responsible. They need to speak with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer right away. Making sure people pay for driving recklessly around bike riders can also help send a clear signal that there are consequences for such aggressive behavior. That could help discourage other drivers from doing the same,” he concluded.
As things stand right now, many people who would gladly use their bikes as a form of transportation don’t do so because of legitimate safety concerns. By working to improve cycling infrastructure and changing the current car-centric mindset in most U.S. cities, we could get those people to change their minds in the next few years. But for that to happen, much work still needs to be done.
