Throughout the Bay Area bicycles are a popular mode of transportation. While good for the environment and physical fitness of the rider, they can also be dangerous. This is particularly true when cyclists cross paths with cars or trucks.
While any intersection has the potential to be the site of a collision between a vehicle and a bicyclist, statistically, some locations in the Bay Area are worse than others. Just as there are many potential causes of car accidents, so too are there multiple steps that can be taken to try to reduce the number of such incidents that occur. Modifications to the layout of streets in the Bay Area are one such approach.
Making Dangerous East Bay Intersections Safer
Earlier this month new bike lanes located along Telegraph Avenue opened. The lanes are actually protected by vehicles parked along the street. While the redesign could take some time to get used to-especially for motorists who now park in a dramatically different place-the hope is that it will ultimately make the stretch between 20th and 29th streets, safer. Over the course of the last four years, a total of 66 crashes involving bikes and cars have occurred along the road.
Similarly, a protected bike lane was recently opened on Fulton Street in Berkeley. The change was at least in part due to an incident that occurred last year which resulted in a new mother suffering serious injuries after she was stuck by a car while she rode her bicycle. Here again, the new lane sets bicyclists away from motor vehicle traffic.
The redesign of dangerous roads located in the Bay Area is one step toward reducing the number of pedestrian deaths that occur each year. Alone, it is not enough however. To further avoid such incidents, drivers must be attentive to cyclists they share the roads with.
Know Your Options
At the Bay Area law office of Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer, we understand how important it is for area residents to feel safe while riding their bicycles. We also know that there are multiple intersections throughout the region that are particularly dangerous to these individuals, and how devastating bicycle accidents can be to those who are injured, or lose a family member. People who find themselves in either of these situations may have legal options. For a free consultation, contact the firm online or call [nap_phone id=”LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-2″].
