Bicycling & Walking statistics in the United States:

The Alliance for Walking and Biking just released their 2010 Benchmarking report that covers statistics for bicycling and walking in the United States. Statistics that jumped out were:


Bicycling and Walking Levels
• 9.6% of all trips are by bicycle (0.9%) or foot (8.7%).
• 3.3% of commuters nationwide are bicyclists (0.5%) or pedestrians (2.8%).
• Residents of the largest U.S. cities are 1.8 times more likely to walk or bicycle to work than the national average.
• From 2000 to 2007, the number of commuters who bicycle to work increased by 42%.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
• 13.1% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. are bicyclists (1.8%) or pedestrians (11.3%).
• In the 51 largest U.S. cities, 4.8% of trips are by foot and 0.8% are by bicycle, yet 26.5% of traffic fatalities are pedestrians and 3.0% are bicyclists.
• Seniors are the most vulnerable age group comprising 9% of walking trips and 4% of bicycling trips, yet accounting for 19% of pedestrian fatalities and 9% of bicyclist fatalities.

Funding for Bicycling and Walking
• States spend just 1.2% of their federal transportation dollars on bicycling and walking. This
amounts to just $1.29 per capita.

Public Health and Bicycling and Walking
• While bicycling and walking levels fell 67% between 1960 and 2000, obesity levels increased by 241%.
• Between 1966 and 2001, the number of children who bicycled or walked to school fell 68%, while the percentage of obese children rose 367%.
• In general, states with the highest levels of bicycling and walking have the lowest levels of obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), and diabetes and have the greatest percentage of adults who meet the recommended 30-plus minutes a day of physical activity.

In conclusion, the number of people participating in cycling has increased but so has the number of incidents. Cycling Safety

• Lookout for them (drivers) before they look out for you.
• Recumbent cycling flags on your recumbent bike or trike
• Helmet
• Bright colors (clothing)
• Ride on bike paths when possible
• Obey the laws of the road

Have fun, be safe!

City of Los Angeles to study "How to Protect Cyclist"

The City of Los Angeles announced that they will be launching a study on how to better protect cyclist. Cyclist have been advocating for better laws to assist with their protection during commuting, training and leisure cycling. I hope this includes two wheel recumbent and recumbent trike riders as well.

More people are turning to alternative forms of transportation and cycling is one that is gaining in participation (along with recumbent riding). With this increase, roads are crowded with cars, buses and cyclist all vying for a share of the road. Sounds like the tour de France but with no barriers.

Los Angeles city council voted to pursue this study which is a major step for cycling advocates. Items of interest for the study include creating more bike lanes, road improvements, a cyclist bill of rights and increased protection by police officers.

This is all good news for cyclist but after reading the comments there is also a shared view that cyclist also need to be accountable for their actions. One of the most commented issue was "cyclist stopping at red lights". The second was following all the laws of the road. If cyclist are going to ask for a bill of rights, the laws must be followed by all in order for the all sides the ability to share the road.

Phsyician Convicted for deliberately injuring cyclist

On Monday November 2, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Scott T. Millington ordered the 60 year old Doctor to be jailed immediately after Deputy District Attorney Mary Stone asked for Thompson to be jailed immediately, calling him a flight risk and a safety threat to all cyclist.

This court case stems from the incident in 2008 where Dr. Thompson deliberately slammed on his brakes in front of two cyclist. One cyclist was thrown into the back wind shield of the car and the other was thrown over the car. Bot sustained injuries from the accident.

Dr. Thompson had a prior incident with cyclist four months earlier but the cyclist were not injured. There has been growing tension between cyclist and motorist in this particular stretch of highway. Dr. Thompson was convicted of mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon and other charges. Sentencing will be on December 3rd where the Doctor could face up to 10 years in prison.

Full story here

Be Safe

To Stop or Not Stop

"If there weren't cars, we wouldn't need stop signs", says Andy Thornley of SF Bicycle Coalition. A recent article on MSN Slate discussed current bicycle laws and how in DC right now there seems to be a trend of stricter enforcement meaning people are actually receiving tickets. Yikes!

There seems to be two groups of thought here, the "vehicularists" and "facilitators." Proponents of "vehicular cycling" believe bikes should act as cars: occupy full lanes, stop at red lights, use a hand signal at least 100 feet ahead of a turn. Facilitators, meanwhile, say we should change the laws and the environment to recognize the innate differences between bikes and cars basically meaning adding more bike lanes and trails.

Safety is always the number one priority for both and how we get there I hope does not distract from the combined advocacy that these groups bring. I want more trails and also to be able to ride on the road but I know I must follow those laws as well. Here is the full article for your interest and let us know what you think.

http://www.slate.com/id/2232555/pagenum/all/#p2

Keeping it bent,


Michael