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.