Mayor Mike McGinn is speaking out about bicycle safety, saying that lowering speed limits may make Seattle streets safer for everyone. "We need to start thinking about each other's frustrations, each other's concerns, and how we can help make it easier to get home safely," McGinn says.
A member of The Cascade Bicycle Club, Craig Benjamin says speed is often the killer, which is why he hopes lawmakers will make it easier to lower speed limits.
"House Bill 1217 is to give cities the freedom to lower the speed limits on non-arterials to 20 mph," Benjamin says.
It is now possible for cities to reduce speed limits, yet it is a very expensive process.
"The data on this is really powerful," says McGinn. "A
collision between a car and individual at 40 miles per hour, there is about an 80 percent chance of death; 30 mph, 50 percent, 20 mph, 5 percent chance."
Benjamin doesn’t believe every city would react to the speed limit change, only the streets that make sense or are often affected by accidents.
"Twenty miles per hour is the magic number. Your chance of dying if hit by a car, you start dropping below 5 percent and your chance of a collision is significantly lower."
Reducing speed is just one option bike advocates say. Other possible changes include more speed bumps, signage and education.
"It's really sad that people have to die in order for people to start paying attention, but as a city we have a long way to go," says Benjamin. "We've fallen way behind what other cities are doing in terms of allowing people to ride their bikes safely and allow people to walk and drive safely."
Bicycle Accident Statistics
In the United States, every year there are about 900 bicycle accident deaths. Of the reported deaths in 1999, 29% were under the age of 16. Emergency rooms saw 51,600 bicycle -related injuries in 2008. Intersections are particularly dangerous, accounting for 35% of bicycle accidents. These accidents not only affect people’s lives, but take a toll on the economy in general. Injuries and deaths from bicycle accidents alone cost over $4 billion a year.
If you have been the victim of a bicycle accident, contact
personal injury attorney Chris Davis today to schedule your free consultation, (206) 727-4000.
Category: Bicycle Accidents
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