Many travel to Florida to enjoy our excellent year round climate. And riding a bike is just one of many great activities people engage in every day to enjoy our excellent year round weather.
However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Florida bike riders are at risk. Florida was recently named the deadliest state in the country for bike riders. That dubious distinction was earned as a result of the tragically high number of bike riding related deaths each year in Florida. Indeed, 11.1% of all pedestrians, and 17.4% of all bicyclists, killed in accidents across the country, die in Florida.
Miami has made a concerted effort over the past years to improve its standing in the biking community. In 2008, Bicycling magazine named Miami one of the three worst cities for cyclist in the country. But just two short years later, the same magazine lists Miami as one of the country's "rising stars" in the biking community.
Even with the concerted improvements by our local leaders to improve the overall quality, and safety, for biking here in South Florida, tragedy still strikes. Earlier this year, a cyclist was killed in Key Biscayne after being struck by a speeding motorist.
While our local officials should be applauded for their efforts in improving South Florida's status as a desirable destination for the biking community, the data suggests that more still needs to be done to ensure that our streets are safe for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
At Alvarez & Barbara, LLP, we handle accidents involving cyclists and motor vehicles. These cases often involve insurance coverage issues that need special handling. If you or a loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact us today for a free consultation regarding your case and insurance coverage.
