Safety and Education Committee Report
Bike Stat
Bicycle Accident Statistics
The U.S. DOT recently published The National Bicycling and Walking Study: 15-Year Status Report (May 2010). The good news is bicycle usage is up (150%) and fatalities are down (19%). This report listed bicycle fatalities (in 2007) to be 700. Unfortunately, this number is only for fatalities involving motor vehicles on the roadway. The National Safety Council figure for 2007 (from hospital records) was much higher (7128) and included the accidents occurring off road (bike paths, parking lots, and trails) or without motor vehicle involvement. The DOT acknowledges their numbers do not reflect all risks and are subject to under-reporting problems. The difference between these two numbers indicates that most bicyclist collisions occur off the roadway (or are not properly recorded) and John Forrester (Effective Cycling) may have used these numbers when asserting that bike paths are more dangerous than public roadways.
None of these numbers consider operator behavior, physical conditions, or truly reflects the risk faced by most recreational riders. Bicyclists weren’t wearing a helmet in 95% of fatalities and were breaking the law in four out of five (80%) accidents. Riding against traffic (contra-flow) was the leading cause of collisions and were especially vulnerable when using sidewalks (and bike paths) at roadway crossings and driveways. Time of day was also a significant factor. About a third of bicyclist crashes occur between the hours of 5 pm and 9 pm; about a third of bicycling fatalities occur between 6 pm and midnight. An additional 5 percent of crashes occur at dusk.
One’s exposure to risk can be greatly reduced by their actions. Wearing a helmet is obviously important; obeying the law and (predictably) riding on the road are proven to be safest. Proper lighting is required after dark and blinking lights (front and rear) will alert others of your presence even during the day. Riding in a group establishes a bigger “presence” and gets a lot more respect from motorists. Plan ahead and clearly indicate your intentions far in advance. When faced with the unexpected; people often get angry and make mistakes. Wearing Hi-Viz clothing (vest?) alerts motorists of your presence further away and gives them more time to think.
A recent newspaper article told about the author’s recent hit and run bicycle accident. In the article he admitted to “freelancing” while riding and apparently he collided with a motorist that was equally irresponsible. He did manage to locate the damaged motor vehicle and intends to prosecute its owner but it seems presumptuous to expect the protection of the law when breaking it.
Nothing is without risk; no matter how careful you are the uninformed will criticize your risky behavior. In these cases it might be appropriate to point out that the same number of people die each year bicycling and from falls in the bathroom. Maybe you could also offer them a helmet for use when “Nature calls”.
Bill Fisk - Safety and Education
Safety and Education Coordinator
Archive Safety Articles
Which Foot Down?
Preparing For Rain
Stopping in the Roadway
Encountering Animals
Why I Commute by Bike
Save Time Commuting by Bike
Your Bike and Knee
You Can be Too Far Right
Wrong Way Cyclists
Choosing the Right Tire
Don't Scare the Slow Guy
Using Your Front Brake
How Safe is Bicycling?
How Safe is Your Helmet?
Making Left Turns
Where on the Road Do You Belong?
Rumble strips on the Shoulder
Safer Without Helmet?
Impaired Drivers
Take Your Body to its Limits
HB-1203
Protecting your Bike
Helmet Mounted Headlights
Tire Pressure
My Helmet is White
Does Your Bike Have Lights?
Be Careful Who You Trust
Law Enforcement
See and be Seen
Thanks Ray LaHood
Beware the Silent Car
Problems Grow