Biking is an ever growing recreational activity. In fact, for a growing number of people, it’s more than a trend—it’s an actual lifestyle. A whole bevy of blogs have burgeoned over the last few years to promote biking, with motives ranging from trying to make the activity “cool” to advocating more “green” communities.
Watch how a cyclist was affected by his accident
But even though bikes may have lost their nerdy stigma, they definitely haven’t lost their risk factor.
In 2009, almost two people died every single day in a bicycle crash, and over 51,000 were injured badly enough to need hospital care. That number is staggering enough, but when one compares hospital records to police reports, it becomes evidence that only about 10% of bicycle-sustained injuries are actually reported to police. That estimate seems to be corroborated by another number – the total cost of death and injuries in bicycle crashes each year – which totals around $4 billion.
Moreover, the large majority of those dying in bicycle crashes aren’t crazy kids on the road. Most fatalities are, in fact, between the ages of 25 – 64, with only 13% below the age of 16.
Legislatures are starting to respond to this upsurge of bikers. Many communities are planning expansions and re-configurations of municipal infrastructure to allow for safer biking. Others are starting to enact new, more biker-friendly laws, such as “vulnerable user” laws, where drivers must pay a significantly higher amount for hitting a biker (raising the average $750 fine up to sometimes $12,500).
So, if you’re thinking about switching from four wheels to two, or if you already have, be sure to take as many safety precautions as possible and understand that there are experienced bicycle injury attorneys in Utah, such as the ones at Christensen Law Firm, who can help protect your rights as a biker.