May is known as "National Bike Month". As we enter the long awaited summer months, safety organizations around the country use National Bike Month as an opportunity to promote awareness about the dangers of bicycle accidents and how to ride more safely. Check out these statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and League of American Bicyclists.
- In 2012, 49,000 cyclists were injured and 729 were killed in motor vehicle accidents.
- Bicycle accidents have seen an upward trend:
The number of fatal crashes rose 6% from 2011 to 2012. - More than 66% of deadly accidents occur in urban areas, and 40% happen at intersections.
- In urban areas such as New York City, the number of bicycle commuters has nearly doubled in the past twenty years.
Recommendations for how Bikers can help make a difference in Bike Safety in your community:
- Wear a Helmet and high-visibility clothing
- Ride Safely and set an example for others: Obey traffic signs, signals and lane markings; signal all turns; and follow local laws.
- Ride as a vehicle on the road; always travel in the same direction as traffic.Keep your Bike well maintained
- Practice Defensive Riding: be acutely aware of the traffic around you
Recommendations for how Motorists can help make a difference in Bike Safety in your community:
- Yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals.
- Respect designated bicycle lanes
- Allow at least three feet clearance when passing a bicyclist on the road.
- Watch out for bikers before pulling out from a parking space or plaza.
At Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group - Gore, we encourage everyone to get involved in National Bike Month. Even if you do not ride, you probably know someone who does. To learn more about your rights after being injured in an accident, call attorney Jennifer Gore-Cuthbert at (404) 436-1529 today!