Due to the unseasonably warm weather, citizens in Michigan are riding their bikes more than ever. Though winter weather usually causes Michiganders to put their bikes away in favor of public transportation or cars, many of them are using their bicycles to travel to work, to work out, and just for fun.
As much fun as being able to ride bikes in December is, it is just as dangerous. This is because many bicyclists tend to share road space with automobiles, which causes the danger of bike riding accidents to extremely increase. Bicycle collisions with cars are even more likely during rush hours, between 3:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M., when the majority of commuters are heading home. In fact, 27.2% of fatal and serious bicycle crashes took place between 3:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. in Michigan, in 2012. Also, 21.8% of fatal and serious bicycle crashes took place between 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. and 18.5% between 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, becoming involved in a bicycle crash in Michigan has a higher percentage of happening than national statistics for youths ages (5-15). In fact, the likelihood of children getting into bicycle accident is 32.4% compared to 26.8% in other parts of the nation. That means nearly one-third of all young people in Michigan are involved in a bicycle crash, one-fourth of which (25.3%) are fatal/serious. Also, men are involved in 81% of all fatal bicycle crashes in Michigan.
These statistics are more then scary enough to warn Michiganders of the importance of bicycle safely. By paying attention to traffic, avoiding roads during peak hours, and by practicing bicycle safety procedures such as wearing protective gear, citizens of Michigan can avoid becoming bike crash statistics themselves. People or Michigan need to be aware that drivers of cars don't always pay attention to bicyclists or even slow down for them. Therefore, to avoid being hit by cars and facing serious bodily harm or even death, bicyclists need to take every precaution to cycle safely. Society Today should be more careful on the road, exclusively when there is a biker in front of them.
If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident while riding a bicycle, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in handling auto accidents including bicycle collisions. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.