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Over the past few years, bicycling has gained popularity in Philadelphia and throughout the rest of the country. In fact, the chief of staff in the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities reports that cycling is up 150 percent since 2000, according to the most recent census, with around 10,000 Philadelphians who report cycling to work nearly every day.
One would think that more bicyclists on the roads would mean more car accidents involving bicycles, right? Wrong. Interestingly, a study from Oregon showed that when the number of bicyclists or pedestrians on any given road is doubled, the crash risk for each individual walker or cyclist is reduced by a third.
This is because drivers are more likely to watch for cyclists and pedestrians when they see more on the streets, the executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia explained. The chief of staff in the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities agreed. Accident statistics from cities throughout the country have also supported this conclusion.
Additionally, the chief of staff said that cyclists are also being more careful while they are on the roads. He said it’s not just risk-taking men on bicycles anymore, people of all demographics are choosing to use a bicycle to get around, and they are doing so in a safe manner.
Even so bicycle and pedestrian accidents can and do still happen in Philadelphia. Further, pedestrians and cyclists are no match for a powerful motor vehicle, so the injuries are often catastrophic.
Our firm represents people who have been injured in bicycle or pedestrian accidents. To find out more about our practice, please visit our Philadelphia Bike Accidents page.
Source: News Works, “Company brings safety for Philadelphia cyclists,” Elizabeth Fiedler, Sept. 17, 2012