Bicycle accidents – particularly when they involve motor vehicles hitting riders – can have catastrophic if not deadly consequences. While factors like driver (or possibly even other riders’) negligence may be to blame for many bicycle accidents, some recent studies have found that having bike lanes on particularly busy roads may be the key to:
- Reducing the incidence of bicycle accidents
- Improving the safety of everyone traveling on the roads
- Ultimately, saving lives.
In this two-part blog series, we will highlight some interesting findings of studies regarding the benefits of bike lanes, specifically as they can improve the safety of commuters on busier roadways in urban areas.
Although such findings may eventually inspire the addition of more bike lanes throughout Denver and other busy Colorado cities, if bicycle accidents do end up taking place and hurting riders, injured people can rely on a Cederberg bicycle accident attorney at Cederberg Law to help them hold the negligent parties responsible so they can get the compensation they likely deserve.
Safety Benefits of Bike Lanes: Adding Bike Lanes Reduces Bicycle Accidents & Rider Injuries
As many as 50 percent of all bicycle accidents could be prevented on highly traveled roadways when bike lanes are added and riders use these lanes.
A number of different studies conducted by transportation regulators, researchers and safety experts have underscored the safety benefits of adding bike lanes to highly trafficked roadways, especially in cities in which there are a lot of motorists commuting on a daily basis.
The following are just some of the fascinating findings of these studies (only some of which include studies by the New York Department of Transportation and the American Journal of Public Health):
- As many as 50 percent of all bicycle accidents could be prevented on highly trafficked roadways when bike lanes are added and riders use these lanes (instead of riding between cars in traffic).
- While bike lanes can reduce the incidence of people riding on sidewalks and, therefore, increase the risk of pedestrian versus bicycle accidents by as much as 80 percent, the incidence of pedestrian injuries in bicycle accidents can be reduced by nearly 30 percent.
- Bike lanes tend to increase the number of riders on the roadways, but they do NOT result in any increases to the number of bicycle accidents that take place on these road. In fact, the incidence of bicycle accidents decreased by as much as 34 percent when bike lanes are added to highly traveled roads.
- Interestingly, the addition of bike lanes seemed to make motorists in passenger vehicles more attentive to complying with basic traffic laws when driving. Specifically, motorists are far less likely to speed on roads that have bike lanes, and the general flow of traffic seemed to improve on these roads.
For our continued discussion of the benefits of bike lanes, be sure the check out the conclusion to this blog series that will be posted soon.
Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer at Cederberg Law: We Are Here For You
Have you or someone you love been injured in a bicycle accident or any traffic accident? If so, it’s time to contact a Denver bicycle accident lawyer at Cederberg Law.
To meet with us at no cost or obligation to you, call us at 303-499-0449 or email us using the form at the side of the screen.
In addition to offering free initial consults and contingency fee options, our lawyers make hospital visits to ensure that you have access to the legal support you need – whenever you need it.
