Bicycle Accidents
In 2014, over 700 people were killed in bicycle/motor vehicle accidents, that’s 2 people every day. Over 50,000 people were injured in bicycle accidents in 2014, according to a report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Bicycle accidents are not just small children learning how to ride a bike, its adults cycling to work or getting around town that motorists also need to watch out for on the road. The NHTSA did a study to figure out the trends and statistics with bicycle related injuries and deaths.
- The average age of bicyclists killed in crashes with motor vehicles continues to increase, climbing to 45 years old in 2014, up from 39 in 2004, 32 in 1998, and 24 in 1988.
- 88 %of those killed were male.
- 71 % of bicyclist fatalities occurred in urban areas.
- 20 % of bicyclist fatalities occurred between 6 and 8:59 p.m.
- 19 % of bicyclists killed had blood alcohol concentrations of 0.08 or higher.
- In 35 % of the crashes, either the driver or the bicyclist had blood alcohol concentrations of 0.08 or higher.
- Just two states, Rhode Island and Vermont, reported no fatalities in 2014.
Texas Bicycle Laws
In the state of Texas, bicyclists have the same rights and duties as motorists. Meaning that if you are riding a bike in the street you have to follow traffic signals just like someone driving a car or truck.
However, if you are riding a bike on public streets the law recommends that you stay near the curb, or edge of the road and travel in the same direction as other traffic.
Texas is one of the leading states in bicycle fatalities. That is why state legislation has passed laws meant to keep bicyclists safe when traveling near other motor vehicles. The following are all the state bike laws for the state of Texas:
- Obey all traffic signals and signs
- A person operating a bicycle slower than the flow of traffic must ride as near as practical to the right curb or edge of the roadway.
- Riding against traffic (wrong-way) is illegal in all 50 states.
- A bicyclist on a one-way roadway with two or more traffic lanes may ride as near as practical to the left curb edge of a roadway.
- Riding side by side so long as it does not prevent the reasonable flow of traffic.
- Bicyclists riding side by side on a striped roadway must be in a single lane.
- Bicyclists riding at night are required to equip their bicycles with a white light front lamp visible from at least 500 feet and a rear red reflector or red lamp visible from at least 500 feet.
- A person may not use a bicycle to carry more persons than the bicycle is designed or equipped to carry.
- Bicyclists must maintain at least one hand on the handlebar while operating the bicycle
- A bicycle in motion may not be attached to a streetcar or vehicle on a roadway
- Bike must be equipped with brakes
- Like a motor vehicle, bikes too must yield to pedestrians
Cycling Towards Better Health
Why do so many people choose a bicycle as their means of transportation? Pedaling your way around town brings a lot of health benefits than just sitting in a car seat while waiting for traffic to clear. The Better Health Channel believes that 2-4 hours a week of cycling is the benchmark goal to improving your health.
Cycling is a great form of exercise because it is:
- Low impact
- A good muscle workout
- Fairly Simple
- Good for Strength and Stamina
Riding a bicycle is easy, and like the old saying goes, “once you learn you never forget.” Cycling is an aerobic activity so that means your heart, blood vessels and lungs all benefit from this form of exercise. Imagine your cardiovascular system is a highway and good aerobic exercises prevent traffic from building up so your blood doesn’t need to slow down and flows freely. Fast food consumption is know to be the cause of multiple car pileups that slow down or block traffic. Better Health Channel wants to help encourage people to bike more and improve their health through fitness. Some of the benefits you can gain from a regular cycling are:
- Increased cardiovascular fitness
- Increased muscle strength and flexibility
- Improved joint mobility
- Decreased stress levels
- Improved posture and coordination
- Strengthened bones
- Decreased body fat levels
- Prevention or management of disease
- Reduced anxiety and depression.
Jeff is Here 4 You!
If you or a loved has been injured in a bicycle accident Jeff is here 4 you! Davis Law Firm is here 24/7 to listen to your call. Our team of legal representatives offer free consultations, so there is no risk in reaching out to us. Don’t suffer another day and contact us today!