Bicycles, Parts, and Accessories
Welcome to BicycleWorldUSA.com. Although riding bikes is a favorite activity (as it should be) for many people, it is a fact that bike riding can also be dangerous. Although precautions are being taken by many people to reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries that are caused from bike wrecks, the number of accidents is still high.
The NHTSA estimates that the number of fatalities in bike-related crashes has reduced about six percent in the past 10 years, while the number of bike injuries has decreased by more than 25 percent in the last decade. Despite these encouraging numbers, it is also believed that only about 10 percent of all biking crashes are recorded, so it is difficult to tell the validity of these numbers.
Because there have been more than 850 deaths per year due to bicycle crashes, it is safe to assume that there certainly are risks involved with bike riding. Bicycle crashes account for two percent of all traffic-related fatalities, even though bicycle trips only account for one percent of all trips.
Despite this, bicycling remains a healthy alternative to driving for many people. While rules and guidelines that have been instituted in the last several years have helped improve rider safety, there have also been bike parts added to some bikes in an attempt to make them safer. Officials urge that everyone understand these rules and laws in order to decrease the probability of accidents occurring.
Many states have instituted laws that require bike riders to wear helmets. Although this law does not necessarily make better bike riders, it does do a lot to protect those who choose to ride without protecting their heads.
The use of these helmets can be pointed to as one of the biggest reasons for the drop in the number of injuries and fatalities among bike riders. Even though a bicycle helmet is not officially one of the bicycle parts, in actuality it is one of the most important bicycle parts a person can have.
Another thing that has led to a more safe riding experience for bike riders are increased numbers of bicycle lanes. By establishing bicycle lanes where there previously were none and by making sure that motorists see and recognize these lanes, traffic safety coordinators and engineers have done a lot to help decrease bicycle-related accidents on roads.
It is somewhat difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for the decreases in the number of fatalities and injuries to bike riders over the course of the last several years. Because there is no significant data that tracks the frequency at which people ride or that tracks the areas in which people ride now compared to 10 years ago, it is hard to come up with definite and accurate numbers.
Studies have found that many of the fatalities that occur can easily be avoided. Many of the accidents occur due to the inattention of either the rider or the driver. Many states have adopted awareness campaigns that encourage drivers to be on the lookout for bike riders and for bike riders to do the same for drivers.
If drivers will especially pay attention to bicycle accessories, like reflectors on bicycle tires at night, the number of auto-bicycle crashes would significantly decrease. Regardless of whether people are riding mountain bikes, road bikes or BMX bikes, a little extra caution can go a long way.
While many people have started to install bike racks on their cars and only ride in areas where there is no traffic to be safe, this does not have to happen. However, people need to always be careful and drive and ride defensively.
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