Bicycle Accidents
Motorists, Please Help Prevent Accidents: Look Closer for Bicycles and Motorcycles
It is Bay State Bike Week in Massachusetts, a time to focus on safety for cyclists. During this week, cyclists are hard to miss as they gather at large events in Boston, Cambridge and across the state.
But the daily reality is many Massachusetts cyclists are far less visible to drivers, spending the majority of their time riding alone or in small groups. And when drivers get behind the wheel, they usually pay attention to other motor vehicles and pedestrians at crosswalks. But bicyclists and motorcyclists tend to get lost in the scenery, which can lead to bicycle accidents and motorcycle accidents.
We do not make this observation alone. We join many others, including the Transport for London (TPL), which manages a complex transportation network that includes buses, railway, underground trams and more than 900 miles in roads. It also manages a popular cycle hire service, which allows visitors and residents to rent bicycles 24 hours a day from docking stations around the city.
TPL has gained an Internet following in recent years with its “Think!” campaigns, asking members of the public to test their awareness of what they are viewing. We encourage you to watch one eye-opening video below. Others can be found at http://www.awarenesstest.co.uk/.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47LCLoidJh4
We suggest that you watch for changes or unique placements on the screen. But even with this warning, many people have to be told how the scene changes. The message: we should all take a closer look as we travel among others in our daily lives.
Motorists should take a closer look on the roadways to make sure they see bicyclists and motorcyclists. Doing so will prevent motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents and save lives.
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Helmets Protect Bicyclists of All Ages
Bay State Bike Week is a good time to remember safety for Massachusetts bicyclists, motorists and all who travel the roads.
Motorists can commit to being vigilant in looking out for bicyclists this summer and slowing down. Bicyclists can ask whether they have taken all possible safety precautions.
These safety precautions must include bicycle helmets. Bicycle helmets are 85- to 88-percent effective in mitigating head and brain injuries in bike crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Nearly 70 percent of all fatal bike crashes involve head injuries, according to NHTSA figures. But only about 20 to 25 percent of all bicyclists wear helmets.
Individual states govern whether bicyclists must wear helmets. California was the first state to pass a bicycle helmet law in 1986. Twenty five years later, 21 other states have adopted laws aimed at cyclists under age 16. Fourteen states have no helmet laws, though the NHTSA recommends states adopt legislation.
Massachusetts requires helmets be worn by those 16 and younger while operating a bicycle or traveling on one as a passenger. Helmets must be approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Adults in Massachusetts and other states should not wait for the law to require them to wear helmets. In 2006, 773 bicyclists were killed and another 44,000 were injured in traffic crashes across the country. Children 14 and younger accounted for 98 of those fatalities, making this one of the most frequent causes of injury related death for young children. But the other 675 bicyclists were older and many of them could have also benefited from the protection of a bicycle helmet.
Click here for more information about bicycle helmet laws from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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Two Bicycle Recalls To Watch For As Weather Warms
By Sam Segal
After months of high snow banks, Massachusetts residents are eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring, when they can return to outdoor activities like gardening and bicycle riding.
If you’re a cyclist, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a few bicycle recalls you may want to note before the warm weather comes.
Felt Bicycles Recall
Felt Bicycles has recalled their model 2011 F3, F4, F5, and F75 bikes due to a problem with the bicycle fork (the part of the frame that connects the handle bars to the front wheel and allows for steering and balance). The forks on these defective bikes have a danger of breaking, causing the rider to possibly lose control, have a bike accident and suffer personal injuries.
Owners of these Felt bicycles are instructed to stop using the defective bikes immediately and contact their local dealer (866-433-5887) to receive a free inspection and repair.
Novara Fusion Bicycle Recall
REI has recalled their Novara Fusion bicycles with serial numbers U95Y07321, U96Y28393, and sequentially from U96Y28876 – U96Y29128 due to a problem with the bicycle fork. The forks on these defective bikes have a danger of separating from the alloy steerer tube, causing the rider to possibly lose control, have a bike accident and suffer personal injuries.
Owners of these REI bicycles are instructed to stop using the defective bikes immediately and contact their local dealer (800-426-4840) to arrange for a replacement fork to be installed free of charge.
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The Facts About Cycling Safe in Massachusetts
Cycling is one of the most efficient, healthy, and environmentally-friendly modes of transportation in Massachusetts. Every day, Massachusetts cyclists take to the streets for their work, commute, recreation, and exercise.
This growing population of cyclists has not gone unnoticed, and local authorities have increased bike lanes and parking throughout the Commonwealth.
New laws have also been passed to protect cyclists by expanding their rights and responsibilities on Massachusetts roads.
With the tragic death of another Boston cyclist, the bicycle lawyers at Breakstone, White, and Gluck want to take a moment to review the current state of Massachusetts Bike Law (G.L. c. 85, § 11B).
Cyclists often have questions about changing laws in Massachusetts and how these changes affect their rights and obligations. Here are some of the most common questions Massachusetts cyclists have, linked to a brief summary of the answers:
What roads can I ride my bicycle on in Massachusetts?
Can I ride my bicycle on the sidewalks in Massachusetts?
Do bicyclists have to stop at red lights?
Do bicycle riders have to use hand signals?
Can cyclists ride next to each other?
Where can I park my bicycle?
Do I need lights on my bike?
Do I need reflectors on my bike?
What should I do if I am injured while riding my bike in Massachusetts?
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Time to Think Back to School Safety
Heading back to school is always a big event, no matter how old a student is. Students look forward to meeting new teachers, starting new classes and being reunited with friends.
But all this activity brings safety concerns. Yet if parents, teachers and students recognize the risks and work together, the Back-to-School season can be an enriching time. Here are some tips to keep your children safe:
Playgrounds. Each year, more than 200,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for falls on the playground. The goal is to implement preventative measures in your playground and make it as safe as possible if falls do occur.
Start by inspecting playground equipment for any defective or broken parts.There should be a 12-inch depth of wood chips, mulch or sand. Mats should be made of safety-tested rubber or fiber material to prevent head injury if a child falls.
Drawstrings on Jackets and Sweatshirts. Many pieces of fall clothing come with drawstrings. Most people think nothing of these until a child endangers himself or a classmate, often unknowingly.
Prevent a dangerous situation where a child gets strangled. Remove drawstrings on hoods. Cut drawstrings from the waist or bottom of jackets, coats and sweatshirts to three inches.
Loops on Window Blind Cords. Visit your child’s classroom to ensure it’s a safe environment. Look at the windows to see if they have blinds with a long cord. If there are blinds with cords, this is a safety hazard. A child could strangle himself when the teacher’s not looking or swallow the plastic piece at the end of the cord.
Bikes. Many students ride their bicycles to school. It’s important for drivers to watch out for them, but parents also need to educate students on how to avoid bike accidents. The first rules is bike helmets. Massachusetts has a mandatory bike law for minors under 16. Beyond the law, bike helmets prevent and reduce head injuries should your child take a fall.
To learn more about school safety, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission web page, “American Goes Back to School Program.”
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Massachusetts Bicyclists Can Protect Themselves With Car Insurance
If you’re a bicyclist, you know safety’s first. Knowing the rules of the road and riding defensively are the best ways to protect yourself from harm. But you must also think finances in case of personal injury. Between lost wages and medical costs, the bills can add up fast. Even if a motorist’s involved, their car insurance may not cover all your expenses.
There’s good news. You can protect yourself financially in a bike accident with a few changes to your own car insurance. The two smartest things a cyclist can do are:
- Purchase adequate amounts of Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist coverage
- Purchase adequate Medical Payments coverage
These coverages are affordable. In fact, you can access up to $100,000 of Medical Payments coverage for just $71! Read on as Boston personal injury lawyer David White shares his advice to cyclists for keeping safe and protecting their wallets.
Click here for full article.
Mass Commuter Challenge and Bay State Bike Week Remind Us to Pay Attention on Roads
Commuters across the state have been pedaling their way to work, the grocery store and other destinations all week as part of Bay State Bike Week and the Mass Commuter Challenge.
Commuters pledged to step out of their cars from May 17-21 and pedal 175,000 miles to workplaces from Worcester to Boston to Plymouth and across the rest of Massachusetts.
The challenge was organized to promote a healthy, non-polluting and sustainable means of transportation. Breakstone, White & Gluck supports this mission but hopes the Mass Commuter Challenge also highlights another important point: that as more bicycles take to the road, drivers and bicyclists must be more aware of each other for safety’s sake.
There are far too many bicycle accidents taking place on the roads today. In 2008, 716 bicyclists were killed across the country and an additional 52,000 were injured in traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA numbers show that 69 percent of bicycle accidents occured in urban areas and 28 percent of accidents occured between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. The majority of the accidents occured in June (9 percent) and September (12 percent).
What Drivers Can Do to Improve Safety
The laws have changed significantly in the last year. Drivers have many more responsibilities to avoid injuring bicyclists. The first step is to be aware that you need to check twice for a cyclist. When overtaking cyclists, you cannot turn right unless there is adequate room, and you must yield to on-coming cyclists when turning left. When passing, you must do so at a safe distance. And remember to pay attention even after you turn off your motor vehicle’s engine. Under Massachusetts bike safety laws, motorists and their passengers can be fined up to $100 for opening car and truck doors in the path of a bicyclist.
A final tip: Put down that cell phone and concentrate on the road!
What Bicyclists Can Do to Improve Safety
Bicyclists can remember that bright colored reflective clothing and helmets save lives. Massachusetts only requires individuals age 1 to 16 to wear helmets, but we advise adults to wear them as well to avoid head injuries. Cyclists must obey the same rules as automobiles when on pubic ways. One of the biggest causes of accidents to cyclists: traveling the wrong way on a one-way street.
For more information about events in Boston and the Springfield area, visit www.masscommuterchallenge.org or www.massbike.org.
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Boston Bike Safety Gets Much-Needed Attention During Summit
Boston bicycle safety has markedly improved over the past two years with several new safety initiatives, including the creation of new bike lanes, publication of the city’s first biking map and installation of hundreds of bike racks.
But Boston bike safety is back in focus this month after three bicycle accidents within the city, including one fatal bike accident that claimed the life of a 22-year-old cyclist and another causing serious personal injuries.
“The biggest problem compared to other cities I’ve ridden in … whether people are biking, walking or driving around the city, everyone has this ‘me first’ attitude,” David Watson, executive director of the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition, recently told the Boston Metro newspaper. “That’s a huge issue – changing the way everybody thinks.”
We applaud Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino for calling the city’s first Bicycling Safety Summit after the accidents to provide bicyclists and city officials a chance to discuss ways to prevent bicycle accidents in Boston.
The reality is that both drivers and bicyclists need to take responsibility for co-existing with each other, along with walkers. This means education, especially considering the fact that the laws governing bicycling were amended by the Massachusetts legislature in 2009. Drivers still need to learn their new responsibilities when overtaking cyclists, when turning, and when opening doors in traffic.
For anyone thinking about enjoying the city on two bicycle wheels this summer, we encourage you to register for one of the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition’s upcoming bike safety classes on May 6 or May 19 at City Hall. The move could save a life.
Our firm supports cycling programs and bicycle safety in Massachusetts. We are proud supporters of MassBike, the Northeast Bicycle Club, the Charles River Wheelmen, Bikes Not Bombs and the New England Mountain Bike Association.
Massachusetts Changes Laws to Increase Bicycle Safety, Reduce Bicycle Accidents
Good news for Massachusetts bicycle riders! Legislative changes have finally come which help protect bicyclists, and which place greater requirements on drivers of cars and trucks to prevent injuries to bicycle riders.
Bicycle riders are at risk when riding on the road for a number of reasons. First, motorists are often not looking for bicycles when driving; they are looking for larger vehicles, such as other cars or trucks, and they often simply fail to see bicycles (and the same is true, or course, for motorcycles). The risk is magnfied because cyclists are largely unprotected from serious injury if there is a crash.
The new law targets the most common types of accidents, and places new, explicit requirements on drivers to prevent these accidents. These are some of the most common accidents:
- Drivers try to pass a bicycle when there is not enough room
- Drivers cut back into the lane where the bicycle is operating, cutting off the cyclist
- Drivers overtake cyclists, then turn right, right in front of them, cutting them off
- Drivers fail to recognize that bicycles are traveling to the right of traffic–which is perfectly legal–and turn left in front of them, failing to yield the right of way
- Drivers fail to recognize the cyclists passing them on the right, and move to the right or turn to the right without checking blind spots or mirrors
- Drivers and passengers fail to recognize approaching bicycle riders, and open their doors directly in the path of the bicyclist
The new laws, which are part of Chapter 525 of the Acts of 2008 (click for full text of enacted statute), prohibit all of these acts, and create fines for drivers who fail to follow the law.
Hopefully the new legislation will help reduce the incidence of serious injury and wrongful death caused by collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles.
For more information on the legislative changes, please see our article, Good News for Bicyclists in Massachusetts: Important Changes in Massachusetts Statutes Favor Cyclists–Drivers Must Use Greater Care.
Information
What the New Bicycle Law Means for You: A Practicle Guide. MassBike
Bicycle Accidents on Rise Around Nation
Rising gas prices have led to an increased in bicycle use around the country. Unfortunately, that trend has led
to an increase in bicycle accidents as well.
Statistics are not available for the current year, but bicycle traffic is up dramatically in Massachusetts
metropolitan areas. In other areas, there is an increase as well. For example, in one California city, bicycle traffic was up 14% but accidents increased by 40%. Fatal accidents in Chicago and New Jersey were also noted to be
significantly increased this year.
The most recent crash statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Authority (NHSTA), through 2005, indicate that the highest rates of injury are in the 10-19 year old range, but the highest rate of fatalities is in males 35-54. Death rates were approaching historical highs in 2005. The most common causes of bicycle accidents are left-turning vehicles which fail to yield the right of way, and vehicles which overtake a cyclist, and then turn in front of the cyclist.
In a city like Boston, where bicycle transportation has historically received little attention from transportation officials, Mayor Menino has promised to make Boston more bicycle-friendly. This means the city will be adding more bike lanes to major streets. But Boston has a long ways to go, if the ratings from Bicycling Magazine are any indication. Boston has been rated the worst city for bicycling for three years. Mayor Menino’s promise is to move Boston to the “Best” column for cyclists.