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Call Us (866) GO-SEE-SAM
Dec 7, 2021
With COVID-19 lockdowns in place throughout much of the country, many Americans were unable to visit gyms, yoga studios, and other fitness venues in 2020 and much of 2021. As a result of such closures throughout the pandemic, many people turned to bicycling. In fact, a surge in demand for bicycles led to product shortages as well as increased prices for consumers.
With so many people taking up bicycling, the number of bicycle-related accident injuries and deaths increased sharply throughout the U.S. as well as the world.
Below we will take a look at some bicycle accident injury statistics from the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll also review how to file a personal injury lawsuit in the event that you are injured by another’s negligence in a bicycle accident.
While the pandemic has provided many with an opportunity to enjoy bicycling, it has also led to a significant increase in injuries. Let’s look at some important statistics related to COVID-19 pandemic bicycle-related injuries and fatalities:
Los Angeles was one of the cities to reportedly experience a substantial year-over-year growth in bike trips as well as cyclists throughout much of 2020. Although approximately 1% of the Los Angeles population reported biking to work before the pandemic, the total volume of cycling trips in May 2020 was 93% higher when compared to May 2019.
The increase in bicycle trips was recorded through users of the fitness app, Strava. In addition to Los Angeles, Houston, Portland, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York saw major surges bicycling during the pandemic.
Additionally, the NPD Group confirmed that from January through November 2020, $4.9 billion worth of bikes were sold in the U.S. In Aril of 2020 alone, sales of traditional bikes, indoor bikes, parts, helmets, and other accessories grew a combined 75% to $1 billion compared to 2019.
In September 2021, the Pew Research Center published an article outlining some new “safe passing” laws enacted by state legislators in an effort to protect cyclists. Bicycle safe passing laws establish a “passing standard” for motor vehicle drivers when safely passing a bicyclist. California, for example, established a safe passing law in 2013 mandating that motor vehicle drivers “shall not overtake or pass … at a distance of less than three feet.”
With the surge in bicycling throughout the pandemic leading to an increase in injuries and fatalities, many states enacted safe passing laws to protect cyclists. Some of the states to enact such laws for the first time included New Jersey and North Dakota.
Additionally, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Virginia further enhanced already established bicycle safe passing laws.
According to Ken McLeod, policy director for the League of American Bicyclists, a cycling advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., people are enthusiastic about new and enhanced safe passing laws.
“The biking community is very supportive of these laws,” McLeod told Pew. “Even if there’s not going to be a lot of proactive enforcement, it educates drivers and provides a sense of justice for victims and helps in civil lawsuits.”
McLeod also noted that the increase in distracted driving as well as speeding by motorists during the pandemic has been a major concern for the cycling community.
“It’s really one of the number one things we hear from people who have biked in the past and decided to stop. They’ve seen so many drivers texting or the vehicles have gotten so large that they feel it’s just unsafe,” McLeod said. “People are really worried.”
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident by another’s negligence – whether a car, truck, or motorcycle driver – filing a personal injury civil lawsuit may help you recover various types of financial damages.
Some common damages that may be obtained through a bicycle accident injury lawsuit include:
Dordulian Law Group’s (DLG) bicycle accident lawyers are available 24/7 for free consultations and to answer any questions you may have about filing a claim. There is never any fee until we successfully recover a maximum damages award for your bicycle accident injury.
DLG’s attorneys have helped injured victims like you recover more than $200 million in settlements and verdicts.
To speak with a bicycle accident lawyer, contact DLG today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM.
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