In the first part of this multi-part series we took a look at some of the statistics concerning fatalities that occur as a result of collisions involving bicyclists and motorists. Those statistics boiled down to this: about two people per day are killed in these types of bicycle accidents in America. Fatalities are obviously the worst-case scenario for bicyclists. But, the reality is that there are far more incidents that occur in which a bicyclist does not die in a collision, but is instead severely injured. Here, in Part II of this series, we will take a look at some of those injury statistics.
Between the years 2008 and 2014, the injury numbers fluctuate a bit. But, there is a general range of the number of incidents, from as low as 48,000 in 2011 to as high as 52,000 in 2008 and 2010. So, it appears to be safe to say that approximately 50,000 bicyclists suffer injuries in accidents involving motor vehicles in any given year.
Why are these numbers so consistent? Why aren’t the number of bicyclist injuries dropping year over year? These are questions that both bicyclists and government planning officials may need to examine in order to attempt to make changes that will result in fewer bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles. But, it seems fairly obvious that motorists can do their part by being aware of bicyclists who are entitled to share the roadways.
Unfortunately, motorists don’t always keep up their end of the responsibilities. Whether it is distracted driving, drunk driving or flat-out disobeying traffic laws, motorists are responsible for a great deal of bicycle accidents every year.
Source: Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, “Pedestrian and Bicyclist Crash Statistics,” Accessed June 25, 2016
