Reports also show that male cyclists, age 20 and older, accounted for 74% of all bicyclist deaths in 2012; followed by males younger than 20 at 14%; female 21 and older at 10%; and females younger than 20 at 2%.

Helmet Use

Of these fatalities, more than two-thirds of bicyclists were not wearing helmets. Much like how a seatbelt can be a life-saving device in motor vehicle accidents, helmets are effective in reducing head injuries in bicyclists.

Alcohol Use

Despite the connection of biking with a healthy lifestyle, the report states a large number of fatally injured bicyclists have blood alcohol concentrations of 0.08% or higher. More than 1 in 4 adult bicyclists killed in 2012 was alcohol-impaired.

Bicycle Safety

There are many actions that may be taken, for both parties, to reduce the number of bicyclist/motor vehicle collisions resulting in injuries or fatalities.

– Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle;

– Ride on trails and/or marked bicycle lanes;

– Be extra vigilant when approaching intersections; and

– Decrease motor vehicle speeds around bicycles;

If you or someone you know has suffered personal injury because of a bike accident, please contact us at Beattie Law Firm. We have a staff that is qualified, passionate and proven in winning cases like these.