New Bike Path in Sacramento Faces Problems
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer. A disagreement over property easements may be heating up as the city plans to build a new bike path in Sacramento to link Arabella Way to Garcia Bend Park.
Landowners Concerned About Easements
Don Murphy, a local resident, along with eight neighbors, were recently approached by appraisers for the city, wanting those residents to sell easements for the proposed bike path along the river. Murphy, who purchased his property in 1999, objects, saying that he bought the property to hand down to future generations. The deed to his property only states that he is required to grant access for flood control and maintenance.
Money Earmarked for Bike Project
Rick Jennings, a city councilman who represents Greenhaven and the area referred to as the Pocket, is a supporter of the bike trail project. The Sacramento City Council approved $2.3 million this year to buy the necessary levee land. This might not be so easy if the homeowners are unwilling to sell. However, Jennings says it could be several years before any purchases are made since a bike path in Sacramento cannot be built until it has been proven that it would be safe.
Project May End Up in Court
Murphy thinks the purchase of easements may go to court eventually as a case for eminent domain. He says he doubts enough would be offered for him to sell his land, although no offer has been made as yet.
Bicycle Accidents Are Common
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bicycle accidents around the nation resulted in about 1,000 deaths and nearly 467,000 injuries in 2015. The California Office of Traffic Safety reported that the City of Sacramento showed 231 injuries and deaths caused by collisions of bicycle riders with motor vehicles in 2015. Countywide, 620 fatalities and injuries were reported, which placed the county 11th out of the total of 58 counties in the state.
Risk Factors Associated With Riding a Bicycle
Some bicycle riders face a higher risk of an accident than others. Following are some notable risks:
- Most bicyclist deaths occur to those between 50 and 59 years old.
- Men suffer four times more injuries and die at a rate six times higher than females.
- In 37 percent of bicyclist fatalities, either the rider or motorist had been drinking.
- Most bicyclist fatalities occurred outside of intersections and in urban areas.
- Children between ages five and 14 and teens from 15 to 19 accounted for the highest injury numbers.
How Bike Paths Save Lives and Money
Cities that install bike paths report that injuries and deaths drop over 72 percent in the area of the bike path. Adding bike lanes also increases the number of bikers, particularly if they are separated from traffic. This can save money in terms of health care costs and pollution. Building up the city’s infrastructure to include bike paths can return about $24 for each dollar spent. Collisions with motor vehicles and riding in a non-designated area, such as the street, account for the large majority of bicycle-related deaths. Proponents of new bike paths stress safety factors involved in their construction.
Traumatic Injuries Associated With Bicycle Riding
Some of the injuries associated with bicycle accidents are:
- Fracture of the skull
- Concussion
- Brain contusion
- Facial lacerations
- Fractures of the facial area
- Eye injuries
- Dental injury
- Fractures of the upper and lower extremities
- Rib fractures
- Blunt trauma to the abdomen
Related Articles by Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer, Ed Smith:
Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer. Bicycle paths have been shown to be a safer alternative than riding in the street or on sidewalks. However, bicycle accidents can happen anywhere. When you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident caused by someone’s negligent actions, call me at (916) 921-6400 for friendly and free advice. Reach me also at (800) 404-5400 or through my contact form online at AutoAccident.com.
I’ve worked for over 35 years as an injury lawyer assisting residents of Sacramento and Northern California with personal injuries such as brain injuries and wrongful deaths.
Client comments and reviews are found at:
Million Dollar Advocates, to which I belong, accepts membership only from trial lawyers who have won case settlements or verdicts of $1 million.
Go to Verdicts and Settlements on my website to see some of our cases and their results.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/cyclists-cycle-path-traffic-bike-1750975/
:cd [cs 772] cv