Cycling is a cost-effective, healthy mode of transportation that offers cyclists and communities many benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health, reduced traffic and less fuel consumption. Cycling itself isn’t necessarily more dangerous than other modes of travel. However, when vehicle drivers don’t share the road safely with cyclists, the consequences can be tragic.

1. Why crashes involving bicyclists are
some of the worst on our roads.
BICYCLE INJURIES IN MARYLAND

2. Is Cycling Dangerous?
Cycling is a cost-effective, healthy mode
of transportation that offers cyclists and
communities many benefits, such as
improved cardiovascular health, reduced
traffic and less fuel consumption. Cycling
itself isn’t necessarily more dangerous
than other modes of travel. However,
when vehicle drivers don’t share the road
safely with cyclists, the consequences can
be tragic.

3. Bicycle Accidents in Maryland
 Approximately 800 cyclists die in crashes with
vehicles every year in the United States.
 Every year in Maryland, there are more than 700
crashes involving bicycles or pedal-cyclists.
 Of those crashes, around 600 resulted in some type of
injury.
 In Maryland, approximately 7 cyclists are killed and 68
suffer serious injuries in collisions with motor vehicles
annually.

4. The Statistics on Bicycle Accidents
 More than 85 percent of Maryland bicycle crashes are
in the Baltimore and Washington Metropolitan areas.
 A little more than half of cyclist fatalities occur
between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
 Nearly three-fourths of these crashes occur outside of
intersections.
 Eighty-five percent of cyclists killed in crashes with
motor vehicles are male.

5. Bicycle Accidents are More Likely to
Result in Injury
A study of bicycle crashes in
Maryland found that 80
percent of bicyclists
involved in crashes with
motor vehicles suffered
injuries. That is double the
injury rate of all crashes in
Maryland.

6. Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
When a motor vehicle strikes a
cyclist, the injuries can be severe.
Common injuries include:
 Brain injuries
 Spinal injuries
 Extensive soft tissue damage
 Fractures
 Internal injuries

7. The Costs of Cyclist Injuries
A large study based on data from 1997 to
2013 found that there were 3.8 million
non-fatal bicyclist crash injuries and nearly
10,000 deaths reported in that period. The
costs were not only staggering ($209
billion for nonfatal injuries and $28 billion
for bike-related deaths), but they were
also rising. Nonfatal injury costs in these
crashes increased by 140 percent from
1997 to 2013.

8. Driver Error in Bicycle Accidents
When the driver of a vehicle makes errors,
the results can be disastrous for a cyclist.
Driver error comes in many forms,
including…
 Speeding
 Failure to give cyclists adequate space
 Failure to signal turns
 Distraction
 Impairment

9. Safe Cycling Tips
To ensure your next ride is a safe one, consider the
following tips…
1) Always wear a helmet.
2) Equip your bike with a light and always wear bright or
reflective clothing at night.
3) Ride with traffic, not against it.
4) Always signal before turning.
5) Ride your bicycle the same way you would drive a
vehicle, observing all the same rules of the road.

10. Sharing the Road with Cyclists
 Always assume a cyclist is nearby, even if you don’t see one.
 If you see a cyclist at an intersection, give them the right of way and
assume they are going to cross your path.
 When passing a cyclist, give them at least three feet of room. If
weather is bad, double that to at least six feet.
 Be cautious when opening your door into a bike lane.
 Slow down when driving near cyclists, particularly if those cyclists are
children.

11. When a Negligent Driver Causes a Cyclist’s
Injuries
As we’ve seen, the injuries suffered
by cyclists in a crash can be incredibly
debilitating and expensive. When a
negligent driver was responsible for
those injuries, they should be held
accountable for the costs of their
mistakes. A personal injury claim
offers injured cyclists a way to receive
compensation for the damages
they’ve suffered.

12. Steven H. Heisler has been fighting for his clients for more than 20 years. He has helped
clients across Maryland get the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been
injured by a negligent driver, contact Steven H. Heisler today to schedule a free consultation.
Contact Steven H. Heisler Today