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It’s not surprising that in most accidents involving bicycles and cars, the bicyclist often gets the worst of it. We’re seeing more bicycle-car accidents lately because cycling has become more popular.
In 2020, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported over 5,000 bicycle crashes. This is a big concern for public safety in Florida because our roads aren’t very safe for cyclists.
Why Are Florida Roads So Dangerous for Bikers and Pedestrians?
A recent article in U.S. News and World Report ranked Florida as the third most dangerous state for bicyclists and the worst for bicycle deaths. This could be because of several reasons:
- Road conditions that make cycling risky
- Roads that are too wide for pedestrians and cyclists
- Old infrastructure
- Careless drivers
- Distracted drivers
- Drivers with poor vision
- Tourists who aren’t familiar with the roads
- An older population
- Construction and roadwork
- A lack of bike lanes and sidewalks friendly to cyclists
All of these factors combined make Florida a not-so-friendly place for bicyclists.
Causes of Most Bicycle Accidents
- Drivers not paying attention
- Failing to yield to cyclists
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Not following traffic laws
- Making unlawful turns
- Bicyclists getting hit by car doors
- Cars pulling out of side roads
Driver negligence and mistakes are usually to blame for these accidents.
Florida’s roads weren’t designed with pedestrians or cyclists in mind. They’re wider now, with higher speed limits, but there aren’t many bike lanes to keep cyclists safe.
More people are biking, with a 65 percent increase in bike commuters over the past few years, but there are also more cars on the road. This has made cycling in Florida more dangerous, even though cars have become safer.
Tips for Safe Biking in Florida
To stay safe, cyclists should be careful and follow the same rules as drivers. Some tips for safe biking include:
- Always wear a helmet
- Wear bright, visible clothing
- Make sure your bike has reflectors and lights for low visibility or nighttime riding
- Keep both hands on the handlebars
- Use a bike that fits you
- Plan your route and know where you’re going
- Be cautious at intersections and in heavy traffic.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is an auto accident attorney in St Petersburg. She focuses on personal injury, car accidents, and bicyclist injuries. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your situation.
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