Each year there are over 600 bicycle fatalities in the United States, and over 50,000 injuries which result from a bicyclist and a car colliding. Although the numbers have actually gone down through the past few years—a seventeen percent reduction since 1998—there are obvious risks associated with riding a bicycle in traffic. When you consider that bicyclists account for one percent of all trips in the United States, yet bicycle fatalities represent just under two percent of all traffic fatalities, you can see that riding a bicycle among the much bigger, much heavier cars, can be a dangerous proposition.

Almost ninety percent of all bicyclists killed are male, eighty percent of those injured are male and sixty-five percent of those killed are between the ages of 25 and 63—with an average age of bicyclists involved in a crash being approximately thirty-one. The risk of riding a bicycle varies widely depending on the time of day, the rider’s level of experience, the area the bicyclist is riding in, whether there is alcohol involved, however the health benefits of riding a bicycle on a regular basis do somewhat offset the risks.

The Perception Motorists Have of Bicyclists

The majority of people who travel only by car tend to believe, at least to some extent, that cyclists are a rather reckless group who take their lives into their hands every time they hit the streets, and don’t fully recognize the obvious dangers. The truth is, the occasional irresponsible bicyclist who throws caution to the wind, winding in and out of traffic and ignoring pedestrians and traffic laws is the exception rather than the rule.

Most cyclists are alert and respectful of the cars and pedestrians who share the road with them, and use caution and good judgment when they ride through traffic. More public education could go a long way in dispelling the misperceptions people have toward bicyclists, and more care and less distractions on the part of automobile drivers could greatly reduce the incidence of auto-bicycle accidents and fatalities. Most cyclists know to watch out for the distracted, negligent or reckless driver, not to mention swinging car doors and jaywalking pedestrians—not to mention road hazards—but it’s simply not feasible to anticipate every single possibility.

Where Do Most Bicycle Accidents Occur?

Although the majority of bicycle accidents happen in those cities with the highest populations, college towns, especially those in California, rank higher than their population would suggest. Many college students use bicycles as their primary mode of transportation; it’s healthy, it allows them to quickly get from one class to another, and it saves money—something most starving college students appreciate.  Almost seventy-five percent of all accidents involving a cyclist occur at an intersection or in a personal driveway, which suggests that cyclists and auto drivers are fully cognizant of the rules associated with high traffic situations.

How Drivers Can Help Reduce Accidents

Drivers must first and foremost realize that bicyclists are entitled to the exact same rights—and have the same responsibilities—as auto drivers. Drivers need to drive at safe speeds and exercise caution in city situations when traffic is heavy. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phone use or consulting a map while driving, and should be especially alert for bicycle riders before they back out of a driveway, make a turn in an intersection, or open their door into oncoming traffic.

If you have been the victim of an auto-pedestrian accident you have likely suffered serious injuries. Contact a Mississippi personal injury lawyer from our law firm to discuss your case.