How Dangerous is Bicycling in New York?

Bicycling has become increasingly popular over the years. Many prefer cycling to work and around town as their preferred mode of transportation, while others enjoy cycling on the weekends as a fun way to stay active. Whatever your motivation may be for enjoying cycling, it’s difficult to ignore the sheer number of people who lose their lives or become seriously injured while cycling in New York and most places across the United States.

In 2018, 857 bicyclists lost their lives in traffic accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTS). Many more bicyclists got injured, from broken bones to light bruising. Many of these accidents go unreported. Despite data showing that road cycling can be dangerous, we don’t have enough information to determine the cyclist mortality rate per mile traveled.

Cycling regularly has many health benefits, including strengthening muscles and cardiovascular health. When you compare the benefits to the risks, how dangerous is road cycling, really?

What are the Benefits Versus Risks of Cycling?

Bicyclists enjoy many physical and mental health benefits. It’s an easy way to get fresh air and exercise, which can do wonders for a person’s mental state and physical well-being. According to Harvard Medical School, cycling can improve how you balance, walk, and climb stairs. Some other top physical benefits of cycling include:

• Aerobic exercise: bicycling is an excellent exercise for your heart, brain, and blood pressure. Aerobic exercise triggers the release of your body’s “feel-good” chemicals or endorphins.
• Muscle strengthening: When you’re cycling, you’re getting a full-body workout as you engage the muscles in your legs, abdominals, and arms to keep the bike in motion.
• Prevents stiff joints: Unlike walking or running, road cycling is a low-impact form of exercise that’s easy on the joints. For those suffering from pain and stiffness in their bones, cycling might help.
• Longer life: According to a recent study, commuting to work by cycling is linked to a lower risk of serious disease, increasing the likelihood of living a longer life.

The risks of bicycling can be deadly at times, but some factors increase the chance of being fatally hurt in an accident. According to the NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts report for bicyclists, some of the most threatening risks of road cycling include the following:

• Alcohol use: Alcohol use was involved in 37% of crashes resulting in bicyclist fatalities in the most recent data for 2017.
• Urban areas: Most bicycle crashes resulting in fatalities occurred in urban areas (75%) rather than in rural areas (25%).
• Rush hour: The most dangerous time of day for bicyclists on the road is between 6 p.m. and 8:59 p.m. when traffic is heavy as people drive home after work.

Various studies have analyzed the risk of fatal traffic crashes compared to the benefits of physical activity that road cycling can deliver. When Dr. Walter Willet, a Harvard Professor of epidemiology and nutrition, was asked about recent research reports detailing the benefits versus the risks of road cycling, he said,

“This study is important because it confirms, with a much larger sample size, previous findings from other countries. Moreover, it shows the benefits strongly outweigh the risks.”

Cycling in the U.S. is more dangerous than in other parts of the world where it’s a primary form of transportation. Countries like the Netherlands have the infrastructure and laws in place that make road cycling much safer. As cities in the U.S. increase the number of bicycle paths, separate cycle tracks, and bicycle parking areas, the benefits will continually outweigh the risk of road cycling.

How Can We Lower the Risks of Road Cycling?

There are ways to minimize the risk of danger when road cycling. The key is to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings, so you spot a potentially hazardous situation before it’s too late. Also, by focusing on what you can control to ensure a safer ride, you can lower the risks of road cycling.

Avoid Cars

Road cycling with cars is what makes the activity so dangerous. While you can’t always avoid cars, there are things you can do to reduce your vulnerability. Before riding, search for an alternate route that avoids heavy traffic and dangerous intersections. While the course might be longer, if you’re cycling around less traffic – it can be more enjoyable.

Choose the Proper Equipment

Everyone knows that wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the risk of brain damage in a cycling accident. In addition to safety equipment, bicyclists need to choose the proper bike and gear for road cycling. For example, having wider tires can help protect from road surface irregularities that cause crashes. By selecting the appropriate equipment and bike fit for road cycling, your ride becomes much safer.

Slow Down

Cycling fast is one of the main joys of the sport. But the faster you go, the easier it is to lose control, and the more dangerous it becomes. Instead of focusing on your speed when road cycling, find a route with more inclines to get your full cycling fitness reward. That reduces your exposure to risk and still supports your cardiovascular health.

Call Trusted Bicycle Accident Lawyers in New York

With a sensible and responsible approach, the dangers of road cycling can be reduced significantly. However, even with the most sensible precautions, there are still risks of severe injury when bicycling.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries while road cycling, the bicycle accident attorneys at The Barnes Firm want to help. Our attorneys have decades of combined legal experience handling bicycle-related accidents that can be put to work for you. With a proven track record of success, you can be confident in partnering with The Barnes Firm to help with your accident claim. To schedule a free consultation with a bicycle accident attorney at The Barnes Firm, complete an online contact form or call our office today at (800) 800-0000.

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Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

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