fisherbikefreak
04-01-2004, 03:01 PM
Did you know that riding no handed is against the law? I never would have thought about it until I started researching bicycle safety materials for work. More interesting facts you should know as a cyclist.
An informed rider will live to ride tomorrow - so I say at least! :etard:
__________________________________________________ ______________
According the to Minnesota Department of Public Safety in 2002 our state had:
909 - :hit: Total bicycle crashes [Bicycles are subject to the same traffic laws as motor vehicles, but bicycle crashes are reported to DPS only if they involve collision with a motor vehicle]
853 - were injured (369-minor, 412-moderate and 79-severe injuries)
493 - (54%) of crashes occur during rush hour periods (6-9am, 3-9pm)
[In the Crash Facts book they list in three hour intervals. 3-6 and 6-9 pm -- I figured rush hour traffic goes beyond 6pm so I had to include crashes that happen in the 6-9pm time period.]
7 - Cyclists were killed
Age distribution of those killed: 1 was >4 yrs old, 1 was 10-14, 2 were 45- 49, 1 was 55-59 and 1 was 75 or <
- Gender of those killed - One female and six male
For those injured or killed in bicycle crashes 62 percent were 15 years old or older (IMHO old enough to be more cautious)
Most crashes occurred because either the cyclist or a motorist failed to yeild the right of way.
__________________________________________________ _______________
You all get the idea - Even though as cyclists we enjoy the thrill of speed and death defying jumps and tricks we are not immortal. Please take a few minutes and educate yourselves about bike safety along with tuning up your bike for the season. Here are a few links that will help you on your way to a Phd in bike safety.
Minn. Department of Public Safety - Bike Safety http://www.dps.state.mn.us/patrol/safety/bikesafety/index.htm (http://www.dps.state.mn.us/patrol/safety/bikesafety/index.htm)
Minn. DPS 2002 Crash Facts Book - Direct link to the bike section
http://www.dps.state.mn.us/OTS/crashdata/2002CFacts/CF02-7Bicycle.pdf (http://www.dps.state.mn.us/OTS/crashdata/2002CFacts/CF02-7Bicycle.pdf)
Minn. Safety Council - Bike Safe Bike Smart
http://www.mnsafetycouncil.org/bicycle/index.htm (http://www.mnsafetycouncil.org/bicycle/index.htm)
Minn. Department of Transportation - Bike Laws and misc other bike stuff
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/sti/bike.html (http://www.dot.state.mn.us/sti/bike.html)
I am sure there are many more sites for Minnesota bike safety, if you know of any please add them.
I just want to add that I do work for the Dept. of Public Safety and that I did not send any of my figures through our statistician. So these are accurate as far as my marketing and communications background go, but it would be wise to check out the 2002 Crash Facts for yourself. The 2002 stats were used because we have not yet released the 2003 facts. It takes time to compile all of this data... our statisticians are busy busy busy!
Hope everyone has a great riding season. See ya on the trails - when they open!:banana:
Sean McD :laugh:
An informed rider will live to ride tomorrow - so I say at least! :etard:
__________________________________________________ ______________
According the to Minnesota Department of Public Safety in 2002 our state had:
909 - :hit: Total bicycle crashes [Bicycles are subject to the same traffic laws as motor vehicles, but bicycle crashes are reported to DPS only if they involve collision with a motor vehicle]
853 - were injured (369-minor, 412-moderate and 79-severe injuries)
493 - (54%) of crashes occur during rush hour periods (6-9am, 3-9pm)
[In the Crash Facts book they list in three hour intervals. 3-6 and 6-9 pm -- I figured rush hour traffic goes beyond 6pm so I had to include crashes that happen in the 6-9pm time period.]
7 - Cyclists were killed
Age distribution of those killed: 1 was >4 yrs old, 1 was 10-14, 2 were 45- 49, 1 was 55-59 and 1 was 75 or <
- Gender of those killed - One female and six male
For those injured or killed in bicycle crashes 62 percent were 15 years old or older (IMHO old enough to be more cautious)
Most crashes occurred because either the cyclist or a motorist failed to yeild the right of way.
__________________________________________________ _______________
You all get the idea - Even though as cyclists we enjoy the thrill of speed and death defying jumps and tricks we are not immortal. Please take a few minutes and educate yourselves about bike safety along with tuning up your bike for the season. Here are a few links that will help you on your way to a Phd in bike safety.
Minn. Department of Public Safety - Bike Safety http://www.dps.state.mn.us/patrol/safety/bikesafety/index.htm (http://www.dps.state.mn.us/patrol/safety/bikesafety/index.htm)
Minn. DPS 2002 Crash Facts Book - Direct link to the bike section
http://www.dps.state.mn.us/OTS/crashdata/2002CFacts/CF02-7Bicycle.pdf (http://www.dps.state.mn.us/OTS/crashdata/2002CFacts/CF02-7Bicycle.pdf)
Minn. Safety Council - Bike Safe Bike Smart
http://www.mnsafetycouncil.org/bicycle/index.htm (http://www.mnsafetycouncil.org/bicycle/index.htm)
Minn. Department of Transportation - Bike Laws and misc other bike stuff
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/sti/bike.html (http://www.dot.state.mn.us/sti/bike.html)
I am sure there are many more sites for Minnesota bike safety, if you know of any please add them.
I just want to add that I do work for the Dept. of Public Safety and that I did not send any of my figures through our statistician. So these are accurate as far as my marketing and communications background go, but it would be wise to check out the 2002 Crash Facts for yourself. The 2002 stats were used because we have not yet released the 2003 facts. It takes time to compile all of this data... our statisticians are busy busy busy!
Hope everyone has a great riding season. See ya on the trails - when they open!:banana:
Sean McD :laugh: