Now that the weather is warming up, many people may be anxious to get outside and enjoy the fresh spring air. Bicycling is not only a sport but also a common mode of transportation for citizens throughout Illinois. Since it does not use any gas, it is also considered to be environmentally friendly. Whether it is for exercise or getting to and from work, bicyclists can run the risk of getting into an accident. Due to their lack of protection and smaller size, if cars or trucks hit them, the consequences can be devastating. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 857 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2018. Even if they do not prove fatal, a bicycle accident can cause serious injuries that can have lasting effects. Although there are ways a bicyclist can avoid a crash, it is hard to control the actions of motorists. In some cases, a negligent driver may be held responsible for a bike accident.

Safety Matters

In order to avoid a bicycle accident, there are certain precautions a bike rider can take. A few of the most important safety measures include:

The warm weather has finally arrived in Illinois. Along with that warm weather comes warm weather activities. One of the most popular is bike riding. Many people take advantage of the summer months to commute to work or as an alternative to hitting the inside of the gym. Unfortunately, the warm weather also brings an increase in bicycle accidents and injuries.

According to national statistics, there are more than 700 people killed in bicycle traffic accidents each year. Another 50,000 are injured. And although you may think that the most vulnerable age group to bicycle accidents are children, the average age of bicyclists who are killed is 45. Additionally, most fatalities occur between the hours of 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. So how can bicyclists protect themselves from being in a bicycle accident?

Wear Brightly-Colored Clothing

Spring has officially arrived and that means more outdoor activity for Illinois residents. One of the most popular outdoor activities is bicycling, both for pleasure and fitness. Many cyclists also use their bikes as a primary vehicle for getting around in the warm weather months. And although bike riding offers many health and pleasure benefits, it can also be dangerous trying to maneuver around busy city streets and suburban roads which are often populated with distracted and impatient vehicle drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 736 people killed while riding bicycles last year, an increase from 2015 when 726 people were killed. Another 44,000 bicyclists were injured. The average age of cyclists killed is 45-years-old, and 88 percent of victims were male. Not surprisingly, more than 70 percent of fatal crashes occurred in urban areas

How Can Cyclists Stay Safe?

Recently, Chicago had the honor of being named the best bicycling city in the United States. The city takes the top spot thanks to Divvy, now the largest bike-share system in North America, along with the addition of 148 miles of protected bike lanes since 2011. The many bike paths and walking trails both within and outside of the city also contribute to Chicago’s reputation as a pedestrian-friendly, walkable urban garden. Unfortunately, with so many cyclists and pedestrians on the streets, pedestrian and vehicle accident rates continue to be a source of tragedy.

Walking and Biking in the City Still a Dangerous Proposition

So far this year, Chicago has seen the first bike-share program accident fatality in the nation, and at least five other cyclists have been killed in auto accidents. A recent report indicated that yet another cyclist, a student at Northwestern University, was killed in an accident with a cement truck, bringing that total even higher. One prominent University of Chicago doctor was killed in a collision with a car while jogging early this summer.

There have been specific laws put into place to help protect bicyclists while they are riding alongside other moving vehicles on the road over the years in the state of Illinois.  Although Chicago has the reputation of being a bike-friendly state, accidents may still occur regularly which is why bike laws are important to be aware of. As recent as 2014, Illinois was among the top states for bicyclist fatalities. Statics like these have led to changes in the bike-related laws.

Earlier this year a law was signed in and will officially take effect January 1, 2017, in response to the number of bicycle-related injuries and deaths in the state of Illinois. House Bill 5912 went through a series of actions and was filed February 11th, 2016, followed by signature into law on August 12th by Governor Bruce Rauner. Before this law goes into effect, there are details that drivers in Illinois may choose to be aware of.

The short description of the law that will begin early next year is bicycles now have the right of way when driving on the road with other drivers. Although there are changes to the way drivers must treat bike drivers, when riding your bicycle on Illinois roadways, you still must obey the same traffic laws, signs, and signals that apply to motorists and cars. In the simplest terms, the right of way means that one person has the right to go ahead of another and that cyclists shall be granted all the rights of vehicle drivers.