Every May, the League of American Bicyclists celebrate National Bike Month. For over 60 years, bicycling enthusiasts have celebrated the benefits of bicycling, hoping to encourage more people to hit the road. As part of the festivities, National Bike to Work day is traditionally held during the third week in May. This day aims to get more people biking to work.
This year, COVID-19 has changed the way National Bike Month will operate. Because of the Coronavirus, National Bike to Work day will now be held on Tuesday, September 22. Bike to Work Week will occur between September 21 – 27.
As the Coronavirus spreads across the country, quarantine and lockdowns have many people searching for a way to get outside, while still maintaining social distancing. Bicycles offer a great way to do that. To encourage that this year, National Bike Month will focus on well-being and connection. They want to highlight how bicycling can unite us and benefit both mental and physical health during stressful times. Whether you are out riding for fun or commuting to work, bicycling offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Where Do People Ride in Virginia?
The number of bicyclists across the country has grown in the last several decades. From 2001 to 2009, the number of trips made by bicycle in the United States more than doubled. This is due in large part to an increase in bicycle friendly communities. Commuting in these communities resulted in an increase of 105% from 2000 to 2013. From 2000 to 2015, bicycle commuting grew by an astonishing 51 percent.
Virginia was one of the states that had the most growth in bicycle commuting from 2006 to 2016 – a 19 percent increase. The number of cyclists commuting to work grew more in Virginia Beach than anywhere else in the state. Here, the number of bicyclists grew by 77.8 percent over the last two decades. Other popular bicycling communities included Arlington, Richmond and Chesapeake, as well as Norfolk.
Overall, though, bicycling lags behind in the state compared to other Eastern states and cities. In fact, Virginia ranked #29 on the list for total commutes by bike in 2016.
More Bicycles Means More Bicycling Accidents
Unfortunately, more bicycles on the road means more bicycling accidents. According to the NHTSA, in 2017, more than 780 people lost their lives in bicycling accidents. In addition, 50,000 were injured. Bicyclists often suffer serious and life-threatening injuries when hit by motor vehicles, even ones going at a low rate of speed. Even when wearing a helmet, a bicyclist can suffer unimaginable injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement and amputation
- Organ damage
Injured bicyclists often face an uphill battle during recovery. Their injuries may very well derail their entire life or result in permanent disability. As such, any compensation they receive should reflect the severity of their injuries and the long-term complications they may now face.
Contact Our Virginia Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love has suffered an injury in a bicycle accident, it is important to understand how your injuries may adversely affect your entire life. Insurers know that bicycle accident injuries are often severe. That is why they offer a lowball settlement quickly and hope to pressure injured cyclists into signing.
At Bergeron Law, we will not let the insurance companies bully you into accepting far less than what you deserve. Attorney Steve Bergeron is a powerful legal advocate for injured Virginia cyclists and their families. Call Steve today at (703) 813-6460 or fill out the confidential contact form for a free initial consultation and review of your case.