As a cyclist, one of the things that bothers you most is that drivers don’t seem to watch out for you on the roads. Even when you’re obviously using the lane, it can be hard to avoid drivers who think they have the right of way and don’t need to give you enough space.
If you’ve ever fallen off your bike or gotten hit, then you’re likely one of the people concerned about deaths on bicycles. The truth of the matter is that traffic fatalities have increased, and cyclists are the group hit hardest by the increase. The total number of deaths rose by 12.2 percent in 2015, a shockingly high number.
There are some reasons for this increase to consider. First, there are more cyclists on the roads, which means there are more people at risk of getting hit. Second, motorists aren’t always looking for cyclists, making them more likely to become victims in a crash.
Most cyclists who are killed are 45 years of age on average. Around 85 percent are men. Interestingly, around 72 percent of cyclist deaths do not happen at intersections. They’re more likely when a driver is pulling out of a driveway, opening a door into traffic or otherwise moving in a way that does not take the cyclist into consideration. Alcohol also played a role in around 37 percent of the cyclist fatalities, with both drivers and cyclists using alcohol.
These are just a few things to think about if you cycle often. A crash can be avoided, but they’re on the rise. Be cautious when you ride.