In many cities across the United States, many people are turning to bicycling for health and as a primary method of transportation. Sadly, this means that there are more bicycles on the roadways, and that has led to a rise in the number of bicycle collisions.
According to the NHTSA, there were 6,568 bicycle crashes in Florida that resulted in 148 deaths and 6,175 injuries. In the first quarter of 2019, there was preliminary data reporting 1,695 bicycle crashes statewide. These crashes resulted in 40 deaths and 1,588 injuries. Broward County had 726 bicycle crashes in 2018 alone. These crashes cause 9 fatalities and 696 injuries.
Tampa Bay Newspapers report that a woman was critically injured riding a bicycle in a crash with a garbage truck.
The accident happened at about 7:30 a.m. on May 23rd on Gulf Boulevard in Madeira Beach.
44-year-old Julie Henning was riding her bike northbound inside a designated bike lane over the John’s Pass Bridge along Gulf Boulevard.
38-year-old John Leppert was behind the wheel of a Madeira Beach garbage truck crossing northeast on Gulf Avenue heading towards 129th Avenue West.
After crossing the base of the bridge, Leppert was unable to stop the garbage truck. Henning struck the passenger side of the garbage truck and was ejected from her bicycle.
Henning was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and suffered from critical injuries. She was transported to Bayfront Hospital.
Bike Accidents on the Rise in Palm Beach and Broward Counties Statistics show an alarming surge in bike accidents and injuries in South Florida. The Sun-Sentinel (Dec. 7, 2013) – using data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and other safety experts – has reported on the increase of cycling crashes in Broward and Palm Beach Counties from 2009 to 2012. The...
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