Cyclists Deaths Are At An All-Time High In California

People are becoming more aware of a motor vehicle’s impact on the environment and are turning to bikes. The nation’s infrastructure, for the most part, hasn’t been designed to handle cyclists. Every year, hundreds of bikers die or are injured from preventable accidents while biking around their city. Many cities rely on drivers to be aware and share the road. However, with every accident, the evidence mounts that the current infrastructure isn’t compatible.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, you need a bicycle accident attorney in San Francisco. At Allegiance Law, we understand bicyclists are at the mercy of motorists. While most drivers are mindful on the roads, accidents can happen. When they do, you have very little protection against a giant metal motorized vehicle careening towards you. As you recover from injuries, you often miss a fair amount of work, watch the medical bills pile up, fight with insurance companies, and hope this incident doesn’t bankrupt you in the end. Allegiance Law is here for you. Let us take the burden off your shoulders and secure the compensation you deserve. Call today.

Bike Fatalities at a 25-year High

Biking is rising in popularity in California. Bike sharing, fitness cycling, and the environmental conscience are swelling the roads with move bikes than ever. It is becoming more and more apparent that the infrastructure in cities is not compatible with the trend. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,

• 455 cyclists have lost their lives on California roads
• Nationally, bicycle fatalities are at a rate of 2.6 per million people

Why are bicyclist deaths the highest in California? Some factors may be:

• A rise in motor vehicles
• A sharp increase in distracted driving
• Larger vehicles on the road as drivers opt for sport utility vehicles

What can be done to protect our cyclists?

Oakland Wins Grant to Fund Protected Bike Lanes

With the death toll at such a high rate in California, relying on motorists is not enough. Oakland’s Department of Transportation has received $30 million in state transportation grants to fix its infrastructure.

Bike lanes and other safety improvements will be made. There are plans to create a system of greenways similar to Berkeley’s bike boulevards. Also, traffic signals will help bicyclists’ cross major thoroughfares.

Streets that will see improvement are:

• 85^th Ave between San Leandro St to Bancroft Ave
• Foothill Blvd, Arthur Street, and Plymouth Street between 64^th and 79^th avenues
• Hamilton Street, Rudsdale Street, D Street, and Royal Ann Street between 69^th and 105^th avenue
• 81th Avenue will also see improvements between San Leandro Street and Bancroft Avenue

Officials hope to make the streets safer and more inviting for cyclists.

Here When You Need Us

The new improvements will take years to develop, temporarily making the roads more difficult to navigate during construction. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, please call Allegiance Law today, your bicycle accident attorneys in San Francisco, California. Contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 415-404-6395.

Posted in Bicycle AccidentTagged San Francisco bicycle accident attorney