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April Crash Report

The recent April Crash Report Card published by the City of Springfield says:

The numbers of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycles on our roadways are increasing, which is overall a positive development for our community. However, on the down side, most motorists have not yet realized that they also must adapt to having these alternative forms of transportation on our roadways.

What would be a good way to alert motorists that they are not the only road users? To alert them the the presence of bicycles, how about sharrows?

The data from the report card show:

[T]hrough April 30, 2009, 16 bicyclists have been hit by motor vehicles, of which 13 sustained injuries. In the same time period in 2008 there were only 6 bike crashes. Throughout the year of 2008, a total of 71 bike crashes were recorded.

Pedestrians are also being hit in increasing numbers this year, according to the report card data.

The document offers this advice for motorists:

Motorists need to develop safe practices, such as:

  • Before making a right hand turn, always check your right mirror and blind spot for bicycles approaching on your right, and check cross streets for pedestrians and bikes that may be entering the street.
  • Before making a left turn, check for on-coming motorcycles and bikes, and check the street for pedestrians walking in the crosswalk to your left before you turn. Motorists must yield to pedestrians whether they in or out of marked crosswalks.
  • Always be extra alert when there is on-street parking, for pedestrians and especially children, who may step out between parked cars.
  • After parking your vehicle, turn your head and check the street for bicyclists that may be approaching from the rear before you open your car door. Checking the car mirrors will not suffice.

These tips for motorists also let bicyclists know where and how they should be riding in these circumstances. For more on where to ride, read “Drive Less, Live More” (leave a comment if you need a copy; I’ll see that you get one), and/or read Utility Cycling: How to Get Started (same copy as “Drive Less, Live More” without the graphics).

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Comments 2

  1. robert wrote:

    I wonder what % of those bicyclists injuries were bicyclists riding on the sidewalk.

    I would guess at least 90%.

    Posted 20 May 2009 at 12:18 pm
  2. Andy Cline wrote:

    Robert… I’ll bet 90% were riding against traffic, although that doesn’t mean they were not also on the sidewalk.

    Posted 20 May 2009 at 12:47 pm