Chico Promoting Bicycle Safety
The city of Chico has been making many different safety improvements for local cyclists over the last few years. Recent projects that have benefitted area bikers include extensive construction on Esplanade as well as experimental bicycle lanes implemented in the downtown area. Now, local officials are trying to cut down on the number of serious bicycle accidents through a billboard campaign promoting bike safety.
The Campaign
The campaign is funded by the Butte County Public Health Department and includes billboards all over the city of Chico. The signs are strategically placed in areas with high bicycle traffic and include short, effective slogans and imagery to help both cyclists and drivers remember to do their part to avoid severe accidents. Signs include billboards advising cyclists to obey traffic laws as well as ones that focus on reminding drivers to allow cyclists ample right-of-way.
Bicycle Accidents in Chico
According to data reported by local police, there have been 3,036 traumatic auto accidents in Chico over the last decade (2008-2019). Out of these, just over 18 percent (551) involved a cyclist. This is more than double the rate of nearby Redding, for which bicycle collisions only made up eight percent of accidents.
Bicycle collisions in Chico tended to involve slightly less severe injuries than crashes overall with a fatality rate of around .73 percent and a severe trauma rate of 7.99 percent. In comparison, the fatality rate for all accidents was 1.35 percent, while the severe trauma rate was 8.96 percent.
What Causes Chico Bicycle Accidents?
According to the data, Chico bicycle accidents are most often caused by a few specific traffic violations. The most common primary causal violations of Chico bicycle collisions are listed below next to the number of accidents caused:
- Driving/Biking on the wrong side of the road, 154
- Right-of-way violations, 133
- Disobeying traffic signs and signals, 85
- Improper turning, 62
Altogether, these violations caused over two-thirds of serious Chico bicycle/vehicle collisions. Less common violations included tailgating, speeding, DUI, and malfunctioning or missing lights.
Bicyclist Injuries
Cyclists aren’t protected by the safety features that vehicle occupants enjoy. Furthermore, they are less able to brace themselves for the impact of a fall than pedestrians. These factors mean that cyclists are very vulnerable and can easily sustain serious or fatal injuries during a crash. Some of the injuries that cyclists commonly suffer during accidents include:
- Spinal trauma
- Internal injuries
- Chest trauma
- Bone fractures
- Lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries
All of these can have a major impact on your life and are likely to require an extensive recovery period.
Calling an Attorney
Accident injuries can be extremely expensive, and crash survivors are often left wondering how they will be able to move forward with their lives when they are facing medical debt, lost income, and other serious issues. In order to recover these damages, it’s important to reach out as soon as possible to a Chico personal injury lawyer and get advice about filing a personal injury claim. By doing so, you ensure that you are taking the right steps toward claiming the compensation you deserve.
Other Blogs from Chico Personal Injury Lawyer, Ed Smith
- Highway Crash in Chico Puts One in Hospital
- Defining a Chico Personal Injury Lawyer
- Trucking Accident On Chico Highway
Chico Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Chico personal injury lawyer. If you’ve suffered serious injuries in an auto accident, please call me as soon as you can to receive free, friendly advice. To reach me, dial either (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400.
I’ve worked with people in Chico for 38 years, and have helped them obtain fair compensation through settlements and verdicts. Find out more about my practice from my clients themselves by visiting the below online profiles:
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