Bicycle Accidents
Donate Old Bicycles to Boston Bikes’ Roll It Forward Program
If you have old bicycles you no longer need, consider donating them to a worthy cause this holiday season.
You can donate your old bikes to Boston Bikes and the Roll It Forward program. Boston Bikes manages the city of Boston’s cycling programs, such as the popular Hubway bike share.
Roll It Forward is one of its projects, which repairs and distributes bikes to low-income Boston residents and children who may not otherwise have access to a bike. To date, the program has distributed over 2,400 bicycles.
In 2013, we had the pleasure of contributing to Boston Bikes and Roll It Forward. We donated bike helmets for their youth bike giveaways. We also attended some of the events to help fit helmets, and we got to see first-hand how much the children love seeing those bikes!
We encourage you to consider this organization if you have a bike you are not using. Donating is easy. You can choose among several locations in Greater Boston. Landry Bicycles is collecting bikes at its Boston, Natick, Norwood and Westwood stores in December.
In addition, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Landry’s Bicycles in Natick is hosting a meet and greet reception for bike donors. It will celebrate local bicycle-recycling efforts in the area by Boston Bikes’ Roll It Forward, the Worcester Earn-A-Bike and Bikes Not Bombs, another group that, among other things, does great work teaching Boston children how to ride and repair bicycles (and another fine organization that we support!).
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Bicycle Helmet Vending Machines Coming to Boston
Safety is about to get more convenient for Boston cyclists. The City of Boston is bringing bike helmet vending machines here later this month.
Boston is the first U.S. city to offer this service and the goal is aimed largely at helping riders of the Hubway bike share program. The city, in partnership with Alta Bicycle Share, launched Hubway in 2011. Today, there are more than 1,000 rental bikes in Boston and also Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline.
The first bike helmet vending machine will open Aug. 26 at a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. It will be attached to a Hubway bike station. Other vending machines will be installed in additional areas.
How Will It Work?
Cyclists will be able to purchase or rent the bike helmets. Cyclists can either buy a helmet or pay $2 to rent a helmet for up to 24 hours (pricing is still being finalized). After that, their credit card will be charged to buy the helmet for about $20 (pricing is still being finalized there too). When helmets are returned, they will be taken to a warehouse for inspection and cleaned before going back into the machines. The helmets were designed by HelmetHub, formed by a group of MIT students as a class project.
Next Step a Boston Bike Helmet Law?
Massachusetts only requires cyclists who are 16 years old or younger to wear bike helmets. But in many areas, they are encouraged for all riders as protection against head injury.
One study reported 80 percent of bike share riders in Boston are not wearing helmets. The study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center researchers reported the same figure for Washington D.C. Riders who owned their own bikes wore helmets about half the time.
The City of Boston has worked to encourage bike helmet use by subsidizing helmets for $7.99 and making them available at stores throughout the city. City officials announced a few months ago that their long-term goal is to pass a bike helmet law for Boston, which would require cyclists of all ages to wear helmets in the city.
Our Bike Helmet Donations for Children
The Boston bicycle accident lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck have over 90 years combined experience representing injured cyclists. We are proud supporters of the Boston cycling community. In 2013, we donated 1,000 bike helmets to children through programs such as Mayor Menino’s Boston Bikes Roll It Forward, CYCLE Kids of Cambridge, the Somerville Kiwanis Club and Winter Hill Community School and the Dedham Bike Rodeo.
If you have been injured in a cycling accident, it is important to learn your rights. For a free legal consultation, contact us at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Donates 175 Helmets to Somerville Bike Safety Day
Bike Safety Day in Somerville is always a great way for children to kick off a summer of safe bicycle riding. This year, Breakstone, White & Gluck was pleased to participate, donating 175 helmets to the Somerville Kiwanis Club for distribution to children from the Winter Hill Community School. Over 130 children were fitted for helmets that day and the school was given the rest to give students individually as needed.
Above photo includes: John Welch, Winter Hill School Re-Direct Officer; Somerville Police Officer MaryAnn Manfra; David Blumsack, Somerville Kiwanis Club Event Organizer; attorney David White of Breakstone, White & Gluck; George McLean of the Somerville Kiwanis Club; Nancy Bushnach of the Somerville Kiwanis Club and Ellen O’Brien of the Somerville Kiwanis Club.
The event is hosted annually by the Somerville Kiwanis Club and was held at the Winter Hill Community School playground on June 22. Children who registered in advance came out with their bikes for a free inspection, helmets and reflectors. Children and parents then had to test out their new skills on bike safety obstacle courses.
As part of the event, children registered their bikes with the Somerville Police Department and were given fingerprinting kits.
The helmet donation was part of Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe, launched this year. To date, our firm has donated over 900 helmets and is on track to donate 1,000 by the end of summer.
Our Boston lawyers have donated helmets to children in need through these programs: Boston Bikes’ Roll It Forward program, CYCLE Kids in Cambridge, Boston Cyclists Union and the Dedham Bike Rodeo. Bikes Not Bombs of Jamaica Plain was given a monetary donation to support its youth programming.
Above: Attorney David White of Breakstone, White & Gluck of Boston.
Below: Somerville Police Office MaryAnn Manfra.
Attorney David White to Speak at Boston Cycling and Health Expo about Insurance for Cyclists
Attorney David W. White of Breakstone, White & Gluck will speak this weekend about how cyclists can purchase accident coverage to protect themselves from injuries and lost wages. White will speak at the Boston Cycling and Health Expo at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Westin Boston Waterfront. His talk is free and open to the public.
Cyclists often ride around with small amounts of coverage because they are unaware of how easy and relatively affordable it is to purchase extra coverage through their Massachusetts auto insurance policies. Drivers in Massachusetts are required to carry auto insurance, but they often carry very little and in some cases, none at all. If a cyclist is hit by a driver with inadequate insurance, he or she may be left without the compensation that is needed to fully recover and pay for medical expenses, bills, and the physical injuries.
White will talk about two ways cyclists can protect themselves by:
- Purchasing adequate amounts of Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist coverage
- Purchasing adequate Medical Payments coverage
Want to learn more before the event? Read our article, What Every Massachusetts Bicyclist Needs to Know About Car Insurance.
White will review the key parts of a Massachusetts auto insurance policy and explain the different options for cyclists to obtain compensation for injuries, including their own health insurance and no fault benefits. He will also discuss medical liens that health insurance companies may place on a personal injury case.
Cyclists who do not own cars may still be able to benefit from coverage if they live in a household with a car.
About Attorney David W. White
White is a Boston personal injury lawyer who has specialized in bicycle accident cases for over 25 years. He is a past president of the Massachusetts Bar Association. He is a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education programs and other events.
About the Boston Cycling and Health Expo and MassBike Bike Night
The Boston Cycling and Health Expo begins Friday and will host vendors from throughout New England who offer cycling, sports equipment and services aimed at healthy living. It starts at 2 p.m. Friday at the Westin Boston Waterfront at 425 Summer Street. It is also open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two notable events: MassBike will host its Bike Night and Fashion Show on Friday, starting at 6:30 p.m. Then on Saturday, the expo will start with a group bike ride around the City of Boston.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Booth
Breakstone, White & Gluck will have a booth and we invite you to stop by. Our lawyers and staff will be demonstrating how to use the firm’s new Boston cycling app. The smart phone app provides users with safety tips from our lawyers, an easy way to store your health insurance information and tools to gather information at the scene if you are in an accident. We will also be sharing pictures from our work donating youth bike helmets to Boston Bikes, Cycle Kids, Bikes Not Bombs and other organizations this spring. Learn more.
Bike Helmets in Boston
If you were in Boston last week, there is a good chance you saw a few cyclists. It was Bay State Bike Week and cyclists came out strong for events and group rides.
While many cyclists were wearing helmets, a new report says not all are. According to the City of Boston Cyclist Safety Report, from 2009 to 2012, cyclists were wearing helmets in less than 50 percent of incidents responded to by Boston Emergency Medical Services (Boston EMS).
Women wore helmets in 60 percent of incidents while men wore them in 43 percent.
Overall, the city reports 72 percent of cyclists citywide are wearing helmets.
Cyclists who wear bike helmets reduce their risk of head injury in a cycling accident by as much as 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The city’s report shows bike accidents in Boston have increased from 2010 to 2012. The Boston Police Department reports a 2 percent increase while Boston EMS reports 9 percent. Nine cyclists died in accidents, including five in 2012. Ridership has also increased over this time as the city expanded infrastructure and launched the Hubway bike share program, making hundreds of new bikes available for short-term rentals.
Boston Bikes (the office which manages the city’s bike programs) reported a 16-28 percent increase in bike trips over that period. In the city’s report, Mayor Thomas Menino has pledged to decrease the cyclist crash injury rate by 50 percent by 2020.
Bike Helmets in Boston
In Massachusetts, cyclists who are 16 years of age or younger must wear helmets while riding bicycles, under M.G.L. c.85 Section 11B. The helmet must be secured to the cyclist’s head with straps and meet standards established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
But they are important for cyclists of all ages. The Boston cyclist safety report, which was produced by a number of city offices, has a long-term goal of passing a law requiring cyclists of all ages to wear helmets in Boston.
The city has tried to make discount helmets available to riders, launched a $40,000 “Wear a Helmet” advertising campaign promoting helmet usage and plans to install helmet vending machines at Hubway bike share stations. It also stresses helmet usage through its community programming.
In addition, Hubway riders agree to wear helmets as part of their rental agreement. But a study last year revealed many riders are not holding up their end of the deal. In the study, researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reported 80 percent of bike-share users in Boston and Washington D.C. were not wearing bike helmets. By contrast, riders who owned their own bike wore their helmets about half the time.
The study’s author wrote that head injury accounts for about one third of all bicycle injuries and about three-quarters of all bicycle-related deaths.
Bike Helmet Law for Boston?
Boston was one of the first cities in the country to offer bike sharing. It would be leading the way again if it passed a law requiring cyclists of all ages to wear helmets. Massachusetts, the District of Columbia and 21 other states require cyclists under 16 to wear helmets, but there are no states which mandate use by adults, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
There are other cities and towns with laws or ordinances requiring helmets be worn by cyclists of all ages, including Dallas, Texas and Sykesville, Maryland. There is a bill proposed in the Legislature to make Maryland the first state to require cyclists of all ages to wear helmets.
In Washington State, more than two dozen communities have laws or ordinances requiring helmets to be worn by all ages, but there is no statewide law.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Donates 750 Bike Helmets to Youth Programs in Boston
BOSTON, MA – May 16, 2013 – Breakstone, White & Gluck, P.C., announced today that it will donate 750 bicycle helmets to youth in the Boston area, through programs in Boston, Somerville, Cambridge and Dedham.
Attorney David W. White, a member of the firm, said, “We are always looking for ways to give back to the community. This spring we are focusing on preventing head injuries in children by donating helmets where they are needed.”
The firm will donate helmets this spring and summer through these programs: Mayor Menino’s Boston Bikes Roll It Forward program; CYCLE Kids of Cambridge; the Winter Hill Community School in Somerville; the Dedham Bike Rodeo and Bikes Not Bombs of Jamaica Plain.
White said, “This is the first year of our project, and we look forward to expanding it significantly in years to come. Awareness of head injury prevention is critical for the health of our children. We hope that our helmet distribution will help increase safety awareness and prevent injuries.”
Read more about the bicycle safety programs our law firm will support this year.
Bike Month: Time for Massachusetts to Think About Safety
This is National Bike Month, when cyclists gather for events and rides all over the country. In Massachusetts, the busiest time is during Bay State Bike Week, which began last weekend. Cyclists from Boston to Springfield to Cape Cod are being encouraged to pedal to and from work in the name of fitness and reducing traffic congestion on the roads.
But along with the fun, Bike Month is a time to ask ourselves and lawmakers if we can make the roads safer to prevent personal injury to bicyclists.
While Boston has been called a world-class cycling city in recent years, safety advocates say we can do better. This month, the League of American Bicyclists dropped the state’s ranking from third to sixth in its 2013 Bicycle Friendly State Rankings, offering these and other suggestions to state officials:
Safe Passing Law. Adopt a safe passing law with a minimum distance of three feet to address bicycle safety.
Vulnerable Road User. Adopt a vulnerable road user law that increases penalties for motorists that injuries or kill bicyclists or pedestrians.
Cell Phone Ban for Drivers. Pass a cell phone ban for all drivers. Currently, Massachusetts bans all drivers from texting while driving but only bans drivers under 18 from talking on their cell phones and driving.
Bicycle Riders Manual. Create a statewide bicycle riders manual with laws, state bike routes and laws for cyclists.
MassBike, the state’s leading advocacy group for cyclists, has been seeking passage of a vulnerable road users bill that increases penalties for drivers who injure or kill a bicyclist or others defined as a vulnerable road user. MassBike first filed a bill with the Massachusetts Legislature in 2011 and refiled a few months ago for the start of the new legislative session.
Under the bill, drivers found guilty of crimes such as motor vehicle homicide or hurting or killing a person while driving drunk would face double the normal fines if the victim is considered a vulnerable road user.
The bill defines vulnerable road users as “a pedestrian or a person operating a bicycle, handcycle, tricycle, skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates, wheelchair, non-motorized scooter or any non-motorized vehicle, or a person riding a horse.”
Additionally, the bill would require violators to take a traffic class and perform 100 hours of community service related to road safety. There would be special penalties for drivers who harass vulnerable users with their vehicles. Meanwhile, victims would be given guidelines for filing civil lawsuits against drivers who assault or threaten them.
Another bill proposed by MassBike is the Bicycle Lane Bill, which would make it a violation for a car to park or stand in a marked bike lane. Boston and some other communities have bans, but MassBike seeks a statewide ban.
Read about other bills filed and supported by MassBike.
Boston Bike Season Begins: Tips to Protect Yourself
After a long, hard winter, cyclists are finally enjoying a taste of spring weather. All across Massachusetts, bikes are being pulled out of storage, tuned up, and taken back out on the road.
Boston celebrates the return of the nation’s premier bike-sharing program, Hubway, which is celebrating its third season in town. The program has now expanded from Boston to Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline. And today, to celebrate opening day for the Red Sox, Hubway is having a Rolling Celebration ride through the cities.
If you are a Massachusetts bicyclist, now is a good time to review some important rules and regulations, as well as some important insurance tips:
Roads. You can travel on the side of the road or in the middle of the lane. Up to two cyclists can ride abreast in a lane. Many communities also offer designated bike lanes and shared lanes. Turns to the left can, and should, be made from the left-most lane.
Cars. Cars must give you the right of way; they cannot turn left in front of you unless it is safe to do so; they may not make a right turn in front of you if they have just passed you; they must pass at a reasonably safe distance, or wait until it is safe to do so.
Sidewalks. You are allowed to ride on sidewalks outside business districts, unless prohibited by local regulations.
Pedestrians. Remember to give pedestrians the right of way and warn pedestrians you are overtaking or passing them. You should have a bell or horn on your bicycle, and there is nothing wrong with a friendly “Passing on your right.”
Bike Helmets. Helmets are required for cyclists ages 16 and younger in Massachusetts, but they are also an important tool for riders of all ages. Head injuries are among the most serious injuries a cyclist can sustain in a bike accident. In 2009, 630 cyclists died in the United States and 91 percent were not wearing helmets, according to the Insurance Highway Safety Institute.
Bike Lights and Reflectors. If you ride in the dark (one-half hour after sunset or one-half hour before sunrise), make sure your bike has lights and reflectors. You must have a white light facing forward and a red light facing backward. Cyclists must have reflectors on their pedals or reflective material around their ankles. You can have as many lights as you like.
Bike Maps. Bike lanes and bike paths may offer safer travel options. Call your local town or city hall and ask if they produce a bike map so you can plan your route. These two are available online: Somerville Bicycle Map and the Boston Bicycle Map.
Bike Parking. You are allowed to park your bike in a bike rack or anywhere on a sidewalk or road, but your bike cannot obstruct pedestrians or motor vehicle traffic. See this map for Boston Bike Parking.
Bike Accidents. If you are in an accident, the most important step is to obtain medical care, even if you do not initially think you are seriously injured. If you are able, take pictures of the position of your bike and the car at the accident scene. Later, file a report with the local police department. Under the law, you must notify the police for any accident involving serious injury or over $100 or greater in property damage.
Protect Yourself With Adequate Insurance. Believe it or not, insurance on your own car may protect you if you are in an accident. Your car insurance may provide uninsured or underinsured coverage for serious injuries. Read our article, What Every Massachusetts Bicyclist Needs to Know About Car Insurance. Your homeowner’s policy may provide coverage for property damage.
Other Massachusetts Bicycling Resources
MassBike
What to Know About Cycling in Boston
Boston Bikes
City of Cambridge Police Page on Bike Safety
Somerville Bicycle Committee
Boston’s Hubway Bike Share Expanding into Cambridge
Boston’s Hubway bike share program is about to push beyond city limits, with an expansion over the Charles River into Cambridge and other communities starting as early as this week.
The Boston Globe reports the first of 24 new bike kiosks may start arriving in Cambridge this week and should operational by the second week in August. Somerville is slated to receive 12 stations with four planned in Brookline. The city of Boston launched the program in the summer of 2011. It now has 600 bikes for 61 stations and will add 11 new stations. With the expansion, the Boston region will have more than 1,000 public bikes available, The Boston Herald reported.
In Cambridge and Somerville, bike stations will be added at major squares and areas in between. In Brookline, new stations are coming to Coolidge Corner, Town Hall and the Brookline Village MBTA stop.
In Boston, new stations will be placed in Allston, Charlestown, Dorchester and Roxbury. Next year, Hubway may expand into Jamaica Plain, as well as Newton and Arlington, officials told The Boston Herald.
The expansion comes after a first year in which Hubway exceeded all expectations. It has seen twice as many trips and paid subscribers as planned. Over 360,000 individual bike trips have been taken since its start and this summer, tourists and commuters are taking about 2,000 bike trips per day.
The program is operated by Alta Bicycle Share in partnership with Boston Bikes, an initiative of the City of Boston. It is partially funded by the Federal Transit Administration. Outside Boston, each community and Alta Bicycle Share work together on securing grants and sponsorships to fund each bike station, which can cost $50,000.
The program offers Annual Membership for three seasons, which can be purchased online for $85. These members receive a key to unlock bikes for use. Rides under 30 minutes are covered under the membership fee; longer rides incur additional fees. Others can purchase short-term Access Passes for 24 hours or three days.
The Hubway reported few bike accidents resulting in injury during its first year. The program reported no bike accidents requiring ambulance response and only two bike accidents overall. The program’s contract requires riders to wear helmets to protect themselves in bike accidents. It encourages this by making helmets available for purchase when you buy a membership. It also has a network of retailers throughout the city who offer discounted memberships.
Related:
- Hubway, turning 1, is about to expand, The Boston Globe.
- Hubway expansion to bring another 400 bikes to roads, The Boston Herald.
- The Hubway.
- What to know about cycling in Boston, Breakstone, White & Gluck.
Bay State Bike Week Starts Monday; How to Participate as a Cyclist, Pedestrian or Driver
Bay State Bike Week starts Monday, May 14 and runs through Sunday, May 20. The annual celebration features several days of activities and educational programs throughout Massachusetts.
MassCommute Bicycle Challenge
Each year, one of the most anticipated events is the MassCommute Bicycle Challenge. For this one week, employees, students and others participate in teams to see who can pedal the most miles in the name of reducing traffic congestion, helping the environment and making time for fitness. Click the above link for information on how to participate.
Massachusetts Bike/Walk Summit on May 17
One event to watch this year is the Massachusetts Bike/Walk Summit on Thursday, May 17 at the State House. The event is co-sponsored by MassBike and WalkBoston, which seek to pass the Vulnerable Road Users Bill. If passed, the bill would increase fines for motorists who kill or injure vulnerable users. The term “Vulnerable Road Users” would include pedestrians, a person operating a bicycle, handcycle, tricycle, skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates or non-motorized scooter.
The bill was filed in January 2011 and is now in the Joint Committee on Transportation. MassBike has until June 1 to persuade legislators to advance the bill. The bill is supported by WalkBoston, Massachusetts Public Health Association, Conservation Law Foundation, Boston Cyclists Union, and Transportation for Massachusetts. Click the above link for information on how to participate.
Other Events
Bay State Bike Week will feature events and activities for all ages throughout the state, from Boston to Worcester to western Massachusetts. Most events are open to the public for free and are a great opportunity to learn more about cycling and the growing opportunities in Massachusetts. Click the above link for the full calendar.
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