A recent study titled ‘Bicycle Collisions in Indiana’ conducted by the Indiana University Center for Criminal Justice Research has found a 7% increase in traffic collisions involving bicycles since 2009 and 2010 — even more frightening, of those accidents 9% result in death or serious injury for the rider.
Now new campaigns are being rolled out across Indiana that hope to prevent bike and pedestrian accidents. Many of the campaigns focus on raising motorists’ awareness of cyclists, reminding them to share the roads.
One such campaign is catching traction in Indianapolis. According to the ‘Complete Streets’ program, their message is that ‘projects need to account for everyone using the road.’ This would include adding bike lanes and sidewalks to make Indianapolis streets safer for pedestrians and bicycle riders.
The city of Indianapolis hopes that by 2015 it will have over 200 miles of bike lanes.
The ‘Complete Streets’ ordinance requires that the city measure the program’s success by keeping track of improvements, as well as rates of crashes and injuries. It would also monitor any increases in children riding bikes to school and rates of public transportation use.
But bike lanes aren’t enough to prevent all Indianapolis bike accidents — education is important as well. So, the city is stressing that riders have responsibility, too. Cyclists shouldn’t ride against traffic, should stop at all traffic signals and stop signs, and use appropriate hand signals. Cyclists that break common traffic laws will be targeted by Indiana police and will be ticketed just like any other motorist.
Many new roads that are being constructed in Indiana are already being designed with bikes and public transportation in mind. And many additional bike lanes are being added to preexisting Indiana roads.
‘Complete Streets’ has already been implemented in 300 cities across the nation, adding bus lanes, roundabouts, and public bus stops. Many cities in Indiana are already employing the program including massive efforts in Columbus, Bloomington, and Evansville.
The ‘Complete Streets’ ordinance in Indianapolis will be sent to the Public Works Committee for further review.
Indianapolis Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured while riding a bike due to the negligence of some else, you’ll need the help of an experienced Indianapolis Bike Accident Lawyer. The Injury Accident Attorneys at the Ken Law Office have years of experience fighting for injured cyclist in Indianapolis, Bloomington, Terre Haute, Evansville, and all across Indiana.
Get the money you need after you or a loved one has been injured on a bike. Get an Indiana Bicycle Accident Attorney on your side; contact Ken Nunn today, for a free case review.
Source. Fox59.com, ‘http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-study-traffic-accidents-involving-bicycles-on-the-rise-20120604,0,902253.column?track=rss,’ Kent Erdahl, June 4, 2012.
Source. Fox59.com, ‘http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-program-seeks-to-add-bike-lanes-sidewalks-to-improve-safety-20120604,0,1504502.column?track=rss,’ Joe LePage, June 4, 2012.
Source. WTHR.com, ‘http://www.wthr.com/story/18700085/despite-bike-lanes-not-all-cyclists-obeying-rules-of-the-road,’ Emily Longnecker, June 4, 2012.
Source. Indianapolis Business Journal, ‘http://www.ibj.com/proposal-calls-for-city-road-planners-to-consider-non-drivers/PARAMS/article/34782,’ Chris O’Malley, June 4, 2012.
Although the driver was sadly killed in the wreck, it was amazing that no one else was injured in the out-of-control drive despite the home being hit. That’s not always the case in Indiana car accidents and sometimes unlucky pedestrians end up involved.
Elizabeth Eckland, 29, of Fort Wayne, was hit by a car while crossing the street in the 2000 block of South Anthony Blvd. early Monday morning. Police found her lying in the grass on the side of the road with blood coming out of her left ear.
