North Carolina Department of Transportation estimates that 20 bicyclists are killed each year in the state while riding their bicycle. About 960 bicycles are involved in accidents with other motorists. Watch for Me NC is a campaign designed to bring awareness to bicycles and pedestrians on the road. The NCDOT sponsors the campaign. With so many cyclists getting back out on the road, it is important to know when accidents are more likely to occur.
Watch for Me NC discovered these statistics about bicycle accidents:
- Over 50 percent of the accidents involving bikes occur in intersections. About 25 percent of accidents involve a car or truck that is turning.
- More than 50 percent of crashes of bicycles and cars involved cyclists who were under the age of 30.
- Male bicyclists were involved in over 80 percent of the crashes.
- The most crashes occurred between May and September, when the weather is the best for cycling.
- Although more cyclists ride on the weekend, three-quarters of the crashes occurred on weekdays and more crashes occurred in the late afternoon.
- On the weekends, more crashes happened between noon and 4 p.m.
Know the rules to stay safe
Cyclists have the responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and to know the rules of the road. In general, cyclists should follow the same rules that other motor vehicles do. Safety equipment is required for riding at night, but during the day, wearing bright clothing and a helmet can help you stand out and protect your head in case of a fall. Make sure to signal when turning. Making eye contact with a driver beside you can ensure that they see you.
If you suffer injury in an accident while riding your bike, you might want to speak to a lawyer about your situation before moving forward with the insurance company. It can be difficult to show that a car was responsible for injuries if the vehicle did not collide with the bike. Cycling accidents can be just as debilitating as motorcycle accidents.
