America is going green. As Americans embrace alternative transportation to reduce pollution and their carbon footprint, they've increased their bike mileage. In fact, the number of trips made on bikes more than doubled to 4 billion in 2009. In some communities, bicycle-commuting rates have increased by nearly 500%. When more people take to bicycles, there is a greater risk of biking accidents. Although the number of fatalities from bike crashes has declined by just over 3%, the number of injuries has risen by more than 11%. California, along with Texas and Florida, led the nation in bicyclist fatalities. The number of injuries and fatalities are perhaps surprisingly low considering a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported nearly half of bicyclists surveyed never wear a helmet when bike riding. According to that same study, most bicyclists (29%) are injured by motor vehicles. The other most frequent causes of injury to bicyclists? Falling, roadways/walkways in disrepair, rider error, collision, and dogs crossing bicyclists' paths.
In some areas, it is inherently more dangerous to “share the road” because there is no infrastructure, such as bike lanes, to reduce risks to bicyclists. What are states doing to reduce bicycle accidents? Some cities have become certified by the League of American Bicyclists as Bike Friendly Communities, meaning the city has taken steps to encourage people to bike and provide a safe, accommodating atmosphere to do so. Other states have addressed cyclists via legislation. The California Vehicle Code subjects bicyclists to the same provisions applicable to motor vehicles. California law also governs how bicyclists must operate and equip their bikes. However, some motorists, and bicyclists themselves, either do not know of or do not understand the biking laws, contributing to accidents. Per the California Highway Patrol, when bicyclists are at fault in a collision with a motorist, it is most often due to biking on the wrong side of the road. When motorists were at fault, it was most often because a motorist did not yield the right of way. This reflects either ignorance of the applicable bike laws or blatant disregard of those laws.
The infrastructure is shifting into place, and laws are being implemented. Yet, bicycle accidents are more prevalent than ever. Only education and law enforcement will make roadways safe for bicyclists and countless others who share the road. Until then, one can't help but wonder if Mark Twain got it right when he said, “Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live.”