Bicycling Safety in Stockton
Bicycling has become a favorite mode of transportation in many cities nationwide. In California, the weather makes it all the more inviting. However, some cities are more dangerous than others for bicyclists. Stockton, in particular, is dealing with this problem by utilizing a plan to increase safe passage for bike riders in the city. The goal is to reduce the number of bicycle accidents.
Stockton’s Plan to Increase Bicycle Rider Safety
After a concentrated planning process, the City of Stockton has developed a Bicycle Master Plan to construct separate bike paths on some residential streets and incorporate bike boulevards where bicyclists and motorists will be road sharing. By constructing connections between neighborhoods and popular destinations, it is hoped that riding bicycles will become safer and more enjoyable. Since more than half of the trips taken by local residents are a maximum of three miles away, it only makes sense to take advantage of opportunities to expand areas where bicycle riders can enjoy this form of travel.
Why Is Bicycling in Stockton Being Addressed?
Unfortunately, Stockton has some problems with making the city safe for bicyclists. One problem is geographic barriers such as freeways, railways, and waterways. While seven bicycle and pedestrian bridges are around the city, none are directly dedicated to bicycle riders.
Stockton Bicycle Accident Statistics
The California Office of Traffic Safety provides rankings for California cities and counties representing the number of injuries and fatalities due to motor vehicle collisions within a year. In 2015, there were 2,271 injuries and deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents. Bicyclists represented 131 of those who died or were injured in collisions, which placed Stockton fourth out of 15 similarly sized cities. Breaking it down further, 21 of the deaths and injuries were children 15 or younger, placing Stockton as the city with the highest number of injuries or fatalities in this age group.
Bicycle Accident Injuries
A bicycle rider, because of his or her lack of protection in a collision with a motor vehicle, can be seriously injured. Some of the more common injuries are as follows:
- Facial or eye injuries: These may range from contusions to fractures of the face or teeth. Eye injuries may also occur.
- Head injuries: Injuries to the head can range from concussions to traumatic brain injuries, requiring extensive hospitalization.
- Chest injuries: Fractured ribs or punctured or a collapsed lung may result.
- External injuries: Road rash, contusions, and lacerations are common.
- Abdominal injuries: Injuries of this type may cause internal bleeding and affect any of the organs in the abdomen, including the liver or intestines.
- Spinal injuries: Injuries of this type can damage vertebrae, discs, ligaments, or the spinal cord. While many of these types of injuries can require extensive medical treatment and recuperation, injuries to the spinal cord itself can cause partial paralysis (paraplegia) or complete paralysis from the neck down (quadriplegia).
Personal Injury Lawyer in Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Stockton. Bicycle accident injuries can be severe, resulting in high medical costs and other expenses. When your accident was caused by a negligent driver, you may be able to recover compensation to pay those bills. For free, friendly advice, call me at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. You can contact me using my online form at AutoAccident.com if it is more convenient.
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