Florida is home to a large number of bicyclists. Many people rely on bicycles to get them to work, school, and other places. With miles of beautiful scenery, year-round sunny weather, and gorgeous coastlines, it’s easy to understand why so many Floridians choose to hop on a bike instead of getting behind the wheel. Unfortunately, Florida is among the most dangerous states in America for bicyclists.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that many more people are choosing to travel on two wheels instead of four, with the number of Americans who bike to work increasing 62 percent over the last decade and a half.

Unfortunately, the number of bicycle accidents has also gone up. The GHSA also reports that bicycle fatalities have jumped 16 percent in just two years. Even worse, this rise in bicycle accidents ends a 30-year period of declining bicycle fatality rates.

Florida Leads the Nation in Bike Accidents

When it comes to bicycle accidents, Florida and California lead the nation in fatal bicycle accidents. In California, 338 bicyclists were killed between 2010 and 2012. Florida was just behind – with 329 fatal bicycle accidents in the same period. In 2012 alone, the number of fatal bicycle accidents in Florida skyrocketed from 37 to 120.

Currently, Florida’s bicycle accident fatality rate is three times higher than the national average, according to the Economist. Those familiar with the MacArthur causeway, a road with six traffic lanes and a single narrow cycle path, may have observed how treacherous the roadway can be for cyclists.

Statistics on Bicycle Accidents

The GHSA report reveals other sobering statistics. One of the biggest revelations to come out of the study is the high number of injuries and fatalities in which the cyclist was not wearing a helmet. An overwhelming 88 percent of injured bicyclists in 2012 were not wearing a helmet at the time of their accident.

The study also revealed that men are much more likely to be killed in a bicycle accident, with an astonishing three-fourths of all fatal bicycle accidents involving an adult male.

Alcohol also played a big role in fatal crashes, with more than a quarter of all adult bicycle accidents involving an intoxicated cyclist.

Ways to Keep Bicyclists Safe

Although bicycle-related deaths only represent two percent of all vehicle fatalities, safety experts believe this number is still too high. They stress the importance of cyclists wearing helmets and other safety gear, such as reflective clothing. Bicyclists can also stay safer by observing all traffic rules and watching out for motorists. The study also stressed that motorists need to watch out for cyclists and give them plenty of room on the road.

According to the GHSA report, the best way to keep cyclists safe on the road is to separate them as much as possible from motor vehicles. Because comparatively few cities have the resources to construct dedicated bike paths, most communities must turn to alternatives for improving cyclists’ safety. Several ideas include:

Creating bicycle lanes in existing vehicle lanes or on road shoulders



Installing “bike boxes” – designating spaces in a lane at intersections that reduce the number of accidents caused by motor vehicles making a right turn into a bicyclists on the right



Use traffic signals that include an advanced green light for bicyclists



The GHSA report acknowledges that the majority of American roads were constructed during a time in which far fewer people rode bicycles. As people have become more environmentally conscious and interested in a healthier lifestyle, however, the number of bicyclists has increased.



If you have been injured in a bicycle-related accident, you have important rights, including the right to compensation for your injuries. Safeguard your rights by speaking to an experienced bike accident lawyer about your case. You should not have to shoulder the burdens caused by another’s negligence. Your lawyer can help you explore your options.