Many communities have launched initiatives to create bicycle lanes and bicycle paths in order to help prevent bicycle accidents. Bicycle paths are usually in parks and green spaces and in many cases bicyclists share the paths with pedestrians but not with cars. These paths allow even less experienced bicyclists to ride in an area without any car traffic. Bicycle lanes, on the other hand, allow bicyclists to share the road with vehicles by creating a separate space on the road for bicyclists. These lanes are for bicyclists only and ensure that drivers of other vehicles know to expect bicyclists in that area of the road.
As bicycles become more popular for transportation and recreation, many communities are considering additional bicycle paths and bicycle lanes. However, can these initiatives help prevent South Miami bicycle accidents? Some people believe so, noting that bicycle paths and lanes keep car traffic and bicycle traffic apart, ensuring that much larger passenger vehicles cannot collide with bicycles as easily. Bicycle paths and lanes also ensure that bicyclists of all experience levels have a chance to hone their skills before sharing the road with traffic.
Not everyone agrees that bicycle lanes and paths will reduce the number of South Miami traffic accidents involving bicycles. Some argue that bicycle lanes, for example, do not keep bicycles far enough away from cars. In many cases, cars can easily move into bicycle lanes and still cause serious South Miami bicycle accidents. And, of course, bicyclists often bicycle along city streets to get to bicycle paths. Since there are so many streets and relatively fewer bicycle-only lanes and paths, bicyclists still need to spend a considerable amount of time sharing road space with larger vehicles.
It is important to note that bicycle lanes and paths alone will not prevent South Miami car accidents involving bicycles. Bicyclists still need to take precautions to prevent accidents. Even in bicycle lanes, for example, bicyclists need to watch out for cars, stay visible, and be prepared for traffic that does not share the road correctly. On bicycle paths in parks, bicyclists are at risk of South Miami pedestrian accidents and collisions with in-line skaters as well as others who are sharing the path. Staying alert and anticipating any hazards can help prevent these mishaps.
While bicycle lanes and paths help bicyclists share urban spaces more safely, they cannot replace common sense and good bicycle skills. Whether a road has a bicycle lane or not, motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians all have a role to play in keeping South Miami safe.
If you have been injured in a South Miami bicycle accident, contact the Flaxman Law Group to arrange for a free accident consultation to discuss your case. The legal team at the Flaxman Law Group has decades of experience in South Florida personal injury law and are ready to put their dedication and experience to work for you. Your initial consultation costs nothing and comes with no obligation; it is a way for you to learn the facts about your options and your case, so that you can make the right decision for you.