Auto Accident Lawyer
For many reasons, people today are turning to their bicycles as a preferred mode of transportation. Some may choose to ride a bike for the many health benefits that it may provide, while others may ride a bike to reduce their carbon footprints. One primary reason for choosing a bicycle, is simply to get from one place to another with greater ease. This is especially the case for people living in urban areas.
There are a number of bicycle friendly cities in action today. Because bicycle injuries may have the ability to reduce accidents suffered by bicyclists, it’s not surprising that many cities have chosen to incorporate bike lanes into their plans. There can be a number of risks faced by bicyclists sharing the road with motor vehicles. When faced with a bicycle accident, consulting with an attorney may be the proper way to determine the best course of action for you.
Top 10 Bicycle Friendly Cities in the U.S.
Many other countries are further ahead when it comes to incorporating bicyclists into their city planning. Most people choose to drive their vehicles from place to place. As a result, the United States has been slower to catch on to incorporate bike lanes into their cities. Some cities have been better at developing bike routes than others, including:
- Chicago
- Atlanta
- Portland
- Detroit
- Baltimore
- Austin
- Minneapolis
- Philadelphia
- Seattle
- San Francisco
People choosing bicycles as a form of transportation is growing in popularity. In 2017 studies conducted by the US Census Bureau, it was found that 900,000 people were commuting to work. Although there is a long way to go for many cities in the country to go to achieve cities that are bicycle friendly, many cities have begin to incorporate bike lanes into their infrastructure.
Bicycle Lanes May Reduce the Risk of Injury
Cities with very little infrastructure to support bicyclists may pose a greater risk for those choosing to commute by bike. Studies have shown that in areas where bike lanes are available to people, the risk of an accident was 90% less. Bicycle lanes can offer a safer way for both drivers and bicyclists to share the road. There are a number of reasons bicyclists may be safer when there is a bicycle lane available to them, including:
- Offers added protection to a bicyclist when there is a lane dedicated for their use.
- Bicyclists feel safer when there is a bike lane available.
- More people are likely to choose bicycles as a mode of transportation, which may decrease the number of drivers on the road.
- Bike lanes can prevent bicyclists from riding too close to parked cars.
- Barriers separating bike lanes can clearly mark where the car and bicyclist can be on the road.
- Reduces the risk of injury
Although there are a variety of benefits, it can be costly for cities to begin developing this type of infrastructure. Despite the number benefits, accidents may still occur. Suffering a bicycle accident can be devastating for a victim. Their lives may be forever impacted. If you have been in a bicycle accident, you may consider speaking with an attorney regarding your legal options, especially if you have been injured.
While some cities have been planned to specifically incorporate bicycle lanes to make for better ease in travel, other cities may do this later down the road. As more people turn to biking in their local communities, bicycle friendly cities are growing in popularity. Not only may this make traveling by bike easier, it may also help to reduce the risk posed to bicyclists who must share the road with motor vehicles. For those who have fallen victim to a bicycle accident, contact a bicycle accident lawyer DC relies on to help collect compensation for the damages you have suffered.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. for their insight into personal injury and bicycle accident claims.