Infrastructure and Safety Programs Reduce Bike Accidents in San Francisco

by

John Bisnar

San Francisco is known around the world for its excellent weather, beautiful sights, and unique culture. Beyond that, it is often recognized as one of the premier cycling cities in the United States. San Francisco has gone through great lengths to ensure the city is safe for cyclists, and has been able to reduce the number of bike accidents on a regular basis.

In 2006, the California Highway Patrol reported 347 bike accidents in San Francisco. While the numbers are seemingly high, they are lower than other major cities in California such as Los Angeles and San Diego. San Francisco also has the highest percentage of residents who commute to work on a bicycle for a city over 500,000 in the United States, which inevitably increases the total number of bike accidents.

Since San Francisco is the second most densely populated area in the United States, cycling not only encourages physical activity, but also decreases traffic levels. Over 40,000 residents cycle to work on a regular basis, which is made possible with the city’s system of bikeways, bike paths, and public transportation.

The city has over 40 miles of bicycle lanes, 23 miles of bike paths, and 82 miles of signed bike routes that allow cyclists to avoid the dangers of heavy traffic, while at the same time, reducing the chances of a bike accident. Cyclists have access to the major bridges in the area–the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge–while also being allowed on the commuter heavy rail train (Caltrain), ferries, and most buses.

There are many activities planned in San Francisco for cyclists throughout the year, including Bike Month and Bike to Work Day. Schools encourage youth rides, with popular after-school programs and recreational centers also supporting bike races and triathlons throughout the summer. Bicycle safety classes are available in order to minimize bike accidents and improve the comfort levels of new cyclists on the road.

Regardless of the infrastructure and safety programs in San Francisco, cyclists will continue to face the possibility of being in a bike accident on a regular basis. While many bike accidents are avoidable through defensive riding, there are also many factors that might be outside of your control.

If you are ever involved in a bike accident in San Francisco and believe you are not at fault, you should contact a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation.

A personal injury lawyer that specializes in bike accidents can assist you in recovering the full compensation the law and circumstances allow.

John Bisnar is the founding partner of the Bisnar Chase personal injury law firm and creator of BestAttorney.com. He is a leader and innovator in law office management, marketing and the creation of the “Client Experience”.Visit

Accidentinjuryattorneyscalifornia.com

or call 888-265-0161.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com