Bicycle commuters push pedals instead of pistons for any number of reasons, including exercise, environmental concerns, high fuel costs or simply for a little extra adventure during the morning (and evening) rush. Perhaps another reason to ride your bike to work in Chicago is CTA's 75-cent fee hike for the El.
As the popularity of biking-for-transportion increases, however, so does the accident rate. Biking to work can be an invigorating way to start the day, but it's important to remember the vulnerability of bikers in a car-dominated society.
An 11-year University of Colorado study of bicycle injuries treated at Denver's trauma center shows a spike in chest and abdominal injuries, while helmet use did not increase as hoped, between 1998 and 2009, as reported by USA Today. While chest injuries rose by 15 percent, abdominal injuries tripled and more than one-third of the 329 injured cyclists included in the study suffered a "significant" head injury.
The best protection is to bike defensively, wear a sufficient helmet and make sure motorists can see you. It also helps to know the city's safest bike routes (an online Chicago bike map can be accessed here).
But accidents do happen, so it pays to have the law on your side before consulting a Chicago personal injury lawyer, if necessary. That means being able to prove that you followed the rules of the road and took proper safety precautions (Active Transportation Alliance).
The Active Transportation Alliance also provides detailed information for cyclists on what to do after a crash, not only to protect yourself legally but also for insurance purposes. The goal is to get to where you're going safely, with just enough adventure to make the journey worthwhile.
- CPSC, McDonald's Release National Survey on Bike Helmet Usage (FindLaw)
- Bicycle Safety Promoted By Two Federal Agencies (FindLaw)
- Chicago Injury Lawyers (FindLaw)
