Idaho Law Blog
As could be expected, with the rise in bicycling, there has been a corresponding increase in injuries. A recent study showed that this increase even in the number of adult bicycling injuries between 1998 and 2013. Pocatello, Idaho has seen its own tragedies when it comes to bike riding when a well known and beloved physician in the area was seriously injured. One study involved data gathered from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and combined with U.S. Census information. The study showed that the increase is, in part, the result of increasing injuries in cyclists that are older than 45 years of age. This comes as no surprise given that cycling in that age group is becoming more and more popular.
The increase in injuries to older riders is substantial. When one compares 1998 and 1999 to 2012 and 2013, an increase in cyclist injuries was 28%. When looking at age groups, those injured in an accident who were over 45 increased from just 23% to 42% of the total injured riders. Worse, the hospitalizations involving this older group of riders increased from 39 % to 65%. One analyst has surmised that the speed of these bicycles is in large part responsible for the more severe injuries and the higher number of hospitalizations.
Bicycling safely in the United States is a challenge, but it can be done safely. For instance, many communities are embracing bike lanes on roads as well as off street paths and biking trails. Bicycling is a way to help the environment as well as staying healthy and fit. One just needs to be careful about where they bike, use brightly colored clothing and employ hand signals to indicate turns. We live in a beautiful area that is conducive to bike riding. Keep doing it only be safe.
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