Bicycle accident injuries can be incredibly serious, even in an accident that does not appear all that significant from the outside. You do not have to get hit by a car that runs a red light, for instance, to suffer substantial injuries or even pass away.
A recent accident in California underscored this possibility. The tragic accident took the life of an 11-year-old boy.
Tragedy has struck Team California, as a 19-year-old cyclist who raced with the team recently died in an accident during a training run.
The young man was planning on participating in an upcoming race, the Redlands Bicycle Classic. He was training for it on the course, riding behind a Honda sedan. The California Highway Patrol says that the car's driver then attempted a U-turn, cutting him off and running into him. Speeds are unclear at this time.
Los Angeles frequently ranks among the worst cities for bicyclists to commute. The city is bad enough with cars, as you can tell any time you try to drive through the 405. However, bicyclists have less protection than motorists, and they are more susceptible to serious injury when there is an accident.
In 2014, LA Weekly reported on the most dangerous streets for bicyclists in Los Angeles. Although officials have made efforts to make city streets safer for bicyclists, numerous accidents still happen every year on certain intersections. It is vital for bicyclists to be safe when they ride down these streets, but motorists also have a responsibility to ensure there is enough room for everyone to reach their destinations safely.
Two cyclists in California's Santa Clarita Valley lost their lives in quick succession when they were both hit by cars in recent days.
One of the crashes happened on Friday, March 1. A woman was riding her bike when a car hit her. She was 61 years old when she passed away. The 50-year-old woman who was driving that vehicle did not get hurt.
One thing that you hear drivers say when complaining about cyclists is that those cyclists should not be on the road in the first place. Those roads were designed with cars in mind, they claim.
Let's just put an end to this right now. Let's stop saying it and stop using this flimsy excuse.
The most serious bicycle accidents are those leading to head trauma and injuries. In some cases, these are just exterior injuries, such as lacerations, bruises and even fractures. In other cases, they are interior injuries, which are often brain injuries.
Though some brain injuries can happen with very little exterior damage due to the violent movement of the brain inside the skull -- even with a helmet on -- many cases involve both types of damage. The ramifications are serious and the medical bills can be extensive.
You know that cyclists and drivers should share the road. Cyclists have every bit as much of a right to that space as any car. They need a safe space to ride.
That doesn't mean they get it, unfortunately. Any cyclist can tell you plenty of stories about angry, impatient drivers, near misses, accidents and other such incidents. They happen constantly. Cyclists often bear the highest level of risk because they have the least protection in a crash.
Whether you use your bike to commute to work, achieve your fitness goals or make a living, it is an integral part of your life. Due to the frequency with which you bike, it is essential for you to know about bicycle safety statistics.
When you are aware of the inherent risks of bicycling, you can take steps to be a safer cyclist. Here are some key numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Safety Council and 2012 National Survey on Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behaviors.
Cyclists need to be aware of the risks that they face whenever they ride around traffic. They can never let their guard down. Even places that feel relatively safe can lead to serious injuries in accidents.
For instance, a recent crash happened in Pacific Palisades, California, near the West Pacific Coast Highway. It appears that a car overturned in a parking lot and hit a cyclist. The traffic on the road itself was allowed to continue unimpeded, but the Los Angeles Fire Department did have to respond to the incident and found that the cyclist had critical injuries. They quickly rushed that cyclist to a medical center for emergency treatment.
News cycles come and go. If a few bicycle accidents happen in a short period of time, you start to feel like cycling is more dangerous than it's ever been before. You wonder if you should look for a new hobby or a new means of transportation.
But what do the statistics tell you? Just how dangerous is cycling in California?
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