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Despite safety gear and awareness campaigns, fatal bike accidents continue to rise. Between 2016 and 2018, California recorded over 400 bicycle fatalities. Whatโs even more concerning is that nationally, the three-year death rate was higher than it has been since the mid-2000s.
Californiaโs Bicycle Accident Fatality Statistics
Biking has increased in popularity in this state thanks to fitness cycling and the rise in bike shares. However, along with the increased miles traveled by bikes comes a sobering statistic: Between 2016 and 2018, more bicyclists lost their lives in traffic crashes in California than during any consecutive three-year period in the previous 25 years. Fatal bike accidents have occurred more often in Los Angeles County.
During this three-year timeframe, 455 bicyclists were killed in California, which means approximately 3.9 fatalities per million people, according to data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Across the nation, while fatal accidents were lower than in past decades, the numbers have recently started to increase. Between 2016 and 2018, 2,516 bicyclists died as a result of a traffic accident, at a rate of 2.6 per million people. This was the highest three-year fatality rate since the mid-2000s.
Causes Of The Bike Accident Fatality Rise
What is causing the upsurge in bicyclist fatalities? While traffic researchers and analysts differ on the reasons, it can largely be attributed to several factors:
- A sustained rise in how much Americans are driving.
- The prevalence of distracted driving.
- A significant consumer shift toward big trucks and sport utility vehicles.
- More bikes on the road.
As more people return to their regular work routines, the number of commuters traveling to work by car and bike is increasing. Bike-share programs are widely utilized, and with the onset of rideshare programs, more cars are driving around, making frequent stops, and waiting for pickups.
Smartphones Contribute To Accidents In California
Using smartphones while driving has contributed to incidents of distracted driving and traffic fatalities. A study by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that โmidblockโ collisions, which occur between intersections where drivers are traveling at higher speeds, typically cause more significant injuries to bicyclists.
In midblock crashes, the driver didnโt see the victim before they hit them, often because of distracted driving. Noticing anything while paying attention to a smartphone is difficult, especially if it is a bicyclist that the driver was not expecting to be there.
With more drivers opting for larger trucks and SUVs as their preferred mode of transportation, many struggle to see bicyclists due to the larger blind spots of these vehicles compared to their smaller counterparts. These types of vehicles also sit higher off the ground, making their point of impact to a bike rider more severe. Whereas a car might hit a biker in the leg, a large truck or an SUV may cause a more significant injury by hitting them in the chest or head.
Gender And Bicycle Accident Fatalities
Men are at a higher risk of losing their lives in a bicycle accident than women, just like in other types of fatal traffic accidents. From 2016 to 2018, the ratio of men to women who died in a bicycle accident was almost 8:1. California census figures reveal that men are twice as likely as women to get to work on a bike.
Decreasing Bike Accidents And Fatalities
Industry professionals suggest that various measures can help reduce the number of bike accidents and fatalities. One fix is lowering speed limits. The chances of dying in an accident if hit at 20 miles per hour are much lower than if hit at higher speeds. Studies show that with each increase in speed above 20 mph, the risk of fatality or serious injury rises significantly, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
Another critical factor in reducing cyclist fatalities is investing in the necessary infrastructure. Roads need to be designed so motorists, mass transit users, bicyclists, and pedestrians can navigate their commute safely.
One NTSB study calls for more separated bike lanes and utilizing well-marked intersections. Industry leaders state that more bike riders, coupled with good infrastructure, can increase bike safety. Perhaps because when more bicyclists are sharing the roads, drivers notice them and are more mindful behind the wheel.
Dave Snyder, executive director of the California Bicycle Coalition, states that many California cities have made notable improvements to infrastructure in recent years, making safer roads for cyclists. Although these changes need to spread, Snyder believes that creating safer networks of bikeways that protect bicyclists from high-speed traffic may encourage more people to ride their bikes as well as help decrease injuries and fatalities from accidents.
Technology is another way that may help reduce fatalities when it comes to bike accidents. The NTSB report encourages cyclists to use reflective gear and wear bike helmets that meet federal safety standards. In addition, automobile technology is assisting in the quest to decrease bike accident fatalities with sensors to help drivers detect people or objects in their blind spots, as well as in front of or behind them.
However, field professionals warn that drivers should not rely solely on these vehicle safety systems while overlooking the need for infrastructure improvements. Utilizing both of these tools may be necessary to achieve a positive impact on reducing fatalities.
Reach Out To Our California Bicycle Accident Lawyers
When drivers are distracted by their phones or fail to pay attention, the results can be serious injuries or even fatalities. Many of these accidents are preventable, and if another driverโs negligence caused the crash, injured victims may be eligible to seek compensation under the law. If a bicycle accident caused by another motorist has left you with significant injuries or even caused someone you love to lose their life, reach out to our California bike accident attorneys to explore your legal options.
We have years of experience serving injury victims in California, including San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, Sherman Oaks, and the surrounding areas. Our personal injury lawyers help clients pursue accountability from at-fault parties in a wide range of personal injury claims. Contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 or fill out our โDo I Have A Case?โ form here for a free case assessment.
