National Bike Month

Every May, the League of American Cyclists (LAC) sponsors National Bike Month. The campaign was first established in 1956 to showcase the benefits of cycling and to inspire newcomers to give it a try. Biking has many advantages for both a person’s physical and mental well-being, but it also comes with some of its own unique risks. To ring in this year’s National Bike Month, we have put together some helpful safety tips below!

Cycling Stats

According to the National Safety Council, or NSC, the number of preventable cycling deaths has grown by 53% over the last decade. There were 902 fatalities in 2014 and 1,377 deaths in 2023. Years of research show that bicycle-related fatalities usually peak in the warmer months, beginning in July, and holding high until October. The NSC’s report shows that of the 1,377 bicyclist deaths in 2023, 937 died in motor vehicle crashes and 440 in other types of incidents.

Here are some other important facts from the federal agencies like the NSC and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding preventable cycling injuries and deaths:

• Bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 60% and brain injury by as much as 58%.
• As of this February, 21 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 200 localities have enacted bicycle helmet-use laws.
• According to the CPSC, there were over 405,000 emergency department-treated injuries associated with bicycles and bicycle accessories in 2023.
• People of all ages sustain non-fatal bicycle-related injuries, but 9- to 19-year-olds experience the highest rate. Individuals aged 30 to 39 years sustain the second and third-highest rates of
• Individuals aged 55 to 69 years old sustain the highest rate of fatal injuries.

Safety Tips for Drivers and Cyclists

According to the NSC, there are roughly 80 million bicyclists sharing the road with motorists, so it is equally important for everyone to be cautious and to follow safety recommendations. Here are some useful examples to familiarize yourself with:

• Always wear a helmet that fits properly and is free from damage and/or cracks. Get a new helmet after being involved in a collision or taking a tumble.
• Ride the appropriate size bicycle; when a bike is too big for the rider, it is far harder – and more dangerous – to maneuver.
• Make certain the bike is properly assembled.
• Ride with one person per seat, with both hands on the handlebars, unless you are signaling to other road users that you are about to make a turn.
• Cyclists should always wear protective equipment that also makes them more visible to others on the road, like bright clothing during the day and reflective gear at night. It is also a great idea to have a white front light and a red rear light, as well as reflectors on the bicycle.
• Carry all items in a backpack or strapped to the back of your bicycle.
• Tuck and tie your shoelaces and pant legs so they do not get caught in the bike chain.
• Plan your route before you go. Whenever you can, opt to take roads with less traffic and slower posted speed limits.
• Drivers should NEVER tailgate cyclists. Always wait until it is safe to pass a cyclist when you are sharing the road.
• Keep an extra eye out for cyclists when you are making a left turn.
• Allow cyclists some extra time when they are traveling through an intersection.
• When the situation calls for it, drivers should give bicyclists the right of way.
• When you are backing up, pay attention to cyclists in your path. Children on bicycles can be especially difficult to see, so double and triple check!
• After parking, make sure the coast is clear before opening your door and exiting the vehicle.

Should You Talk to a Lawyer?

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP, some of the most common injuries that cyclists sustain are lacerations, contusions, abrasions, dislocations, fractures, strains, internal injuries, concussions, and other types of traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs. Because of how vulnerable cyclists are to sustaining major bodily injury in accidents involving motor vehicles, it is always a good idea to speak with an attorney about recovering damages to help cover medical bills and lost wages. At Galfand Berger, our attorneys have decades of experience representing injured victims. To learn more, please contact a representative online now.

Recently, we resolved two matters in which our clients suffered injuries because their bikes were improperly assembled by a retailer.  Learn more here.

We wish all our readers a happy and safe National Bike Month!

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP, Representing Injured Victims Since 1947

Contact the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.