Riding a bicycle is a great way to stay in shape, help the environment, and enjoy beautiful weather. It is also very dangerous, especially when riding on the streets of Philadelphia. The city is a difficult place to traverse in a car, on foot, or on a bicycle. That’s why you need to be as safe as possible. Today, a Philadelphia bike accident attorney from Solomon Sherman & Gabay explores the dangers of riding a bicycle in the City of Brotherly Love.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 846 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2019.
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia reports that there were six bicyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes in the city in 2020. As of July 30, 2021, there have already been five bicyclists killed in car crashes this year. There were only two bicyclist fatalities in 2019 and four in 2018.
Even though more and more people are taking advantage of bike-share programs and cycling to work, the dangers they face might not be worth the exercise or the help they are providing to the environment.
Air pollution is one of the biggest dangers cyclists face when riding in Philadelphia. You are not protected from the air around you and you are almost always following behind cars, trucks, vans, and motorcycles breathing in the fumes expelled from their tailpipes. A study conducted in Colorado found that cyclists consume three times more air pollution than drivers.
You are more than twice as likely to die in a bicycle accident than you are in a motor vehicle crash per trip, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC study also found that riding a bicycle in the city is 500 times more fatal than riding in a bus.
Another common danger of riding a bicycle in the city is colliding with a car door that is swung open haphazardly by a driver or passenger. Many drivers and passengers fail to check for oncoming traffic, including bicycles, before opening their car doors. This can lead to the cyclist being thrown from their bicycle and into traffic.
City streets are not the best when it comes to potholes, breaks in the pavement, and other hazards. As such, it can be very dangerous to ride a bicycle in Philadelphia. You will not only have to be on the lookout for pedestrians and motor vehicles, but also potholes, tree roots, and missing curbs so that you aren’t thrown from your bicycle.
Were you injured in a Philadelphia bicycle accident? Did you suffer the tragic loss of a loved one in a fatal Philadelphia bike accident? If so, it’s important for you to consult a Philadelphia bike accident attorney from Solomon Sherman & Gabay at your earliest convenience. Call our office at 215-665-1100, or complete a contact form on our website to schedule a consultation today.