Florida is a great place to take part in outdoor recreation activities like running, swimming and biking. As much fun as these activities are, however, they are not without their risks. In fact, the Sunshine State has been ranked as the number one most dangerous place for bike riders in the country.
According to a recent study, Florida has the highest rate of fatality per capita for bicyclists. There are a few reasons why Florida is especially dangerous, including the way the roads are designed. Because it is such a large state with much of its housing spread out across suburban areas, many of the roads are built for speed and efficiency. This allows for motorists to get to work more quickly and spend less time commuting. Unfortunately, it also means that many roads are unaccommodating to bicyclists.
Serious injuries common in bike accidents
Many bicyclists are injured or killed by motorists who fail to see them. When a driver is traveling at a high rate of speed, even a small collision can be fatal to a bike rider, who lacks protection. When cars collide with bikes, often the bicyclists are thrown off and may suffer severe head injuries when hitting road surfaces.
State officials in Florida are attempting to reduce the risks to its bicycling commuters. Last fall, the Department of Transportation passed a law requiring city planners to incorporate pedestrian and bicycle safety measures into their road designs. If the cities can make biking more of an attractive option, more people will use this healthy, inexpensive and eco-friendly way to travel.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida bicycle accident, be sure to meet with an experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.