Boston Injury Attorney Blog

In August, the New Balance Hubway bike-sharing program was launched at City Hall Plaza in Boston. Salem has also implemented its own bike-sharing plan while Somerville may start one within the year.

While many are excited about the new cycling opportunities, some are concerned about a possible increase in bicycle accidents and injuries. The Boston Hubway program consists of more than 60 kiosks scattered around the city, which allows bicyclists to rent one of 610 available bikes. A rental costs $5 for a 24-hour period or $12 for a 3-day rental. An annual Hubway membership is priced at $85.

Like all bicyclists, Hubway users are urged to ride with caution and to abide by all traffic laws to avoid Boston bicycle accidents. It is important to remember that all traffic rules and regulations apply to equally to automobiles and bicycles in Massachusetts.

Unfortunately, bicycle accidents causing injury and/or death are not uncommon. A 2009 study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that there were 10 bicyclist deaths in Massachusetts and countless more injuries. As such, some common riding procedures should be practiced to prevent bicycle accidents:

- Wearing bright colored clothing, especially at night.

- Riding with the flow of traffic, not against it.

- Riding only in bicycle-safe pathways and roads, never on highways or congested streets.

- Riding defensively and leaving room to react to any unforeseen automobile maneuvers.

Click here to learn more about bike sharing in Boston.

Continue reading "Boston Launches Hubway Bicycle Program With Goal for Safety" »

Boston University recently sponsored a "Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Day" on its Charles River Campus, promoting efforts to save lives by safeguarding against bicycle collisions and pedestrian accidents.

According to BU Today, the number of bicyclists on the Charles River Campus has increased 69 percent over the past four years. Boston University Parking & Transportation Services attributes to increase in cycling to the addition of designated bicycle lanes on Commonwealth Avenue and the BU Bridge. The program is geared to educate student cyclists about the unique challenges and dangers of bicycling in a busy city. As the article notes, "bicycling in the city comes with a host of special challenges, particularly for those used to riding on less-trafficked suburban streets...there are MBTA's Green Line trolleys and thousands of cars, many driven by people who are not bike sensitive."

According to the Boston Police Department, there were 340 bicycle-related accidents in 2010, including 6 fatal accidents. While biking in the Greater Boston area comes with a heightened risk of pedestrian and cycling accidents, there are parts of the city with greater than average accident rates.

According to a 2009 accident survey conducted by "Boston Bikes," a program run by Boston Mayor Menino's office, Commonwealth Avenue, particularly around the BU Bridge, is the most perilous area in the city for cyclists. Contributing to this increased incident of Boston cycling accidents is the high amounts of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, busy roadways, and congested sidewalks.

In an effort to make Boston roads more bicycle-friendly, the city has recently added new "bicycle lanes" on many high-traffic roads. The new bicycle lanes have come at an appropriate time, as Boston recently launched the new "Hubway" bike-sharing program. With the ability to rent bicycles in the city, other motorists can expect to share the road with even more cyclists. This means that motorists must always be cognizant of the presence of cyclists, especially in the designated lanes on busy streets.

According to Massachusetts bicycle accident lawyer Peter Bellotti of the Bellotti Law Group, "It is important to remember that under Massachusetts law, bicycles are considered vehicles, with the same freedoms and responsibilities as other vehicles on the road. Cyclists must follow all traffic rules and regulations, to the same extent as their four-wheeled counterparts. If traffic laws are not followed by drivers or cyclists, liability for injuries or other damages can be imposed."

When a bicycle accident is caused by reckless or negligent driving, the driver may be responsible for the injured bicyclist's medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and loss of potential future earnings.

Continue reading "Boston University Hosts Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Day " »

This June, the League of American Bicyclists deemed Massachusetts 9th on its list of the most "bike friendly" states in the country. The predominant factor in the high ranking was the emphasis the state has placed on bicycle and pedestrian safety. While it is nice to see that Massachusetts has relatively less bicycle accidents and fatalities in comparison to other states, motorists are still urged to drive with care as to further decrease the number of bicycle accidents in the state.

According to Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Jeffrey Mullan, "the key to these honors has been the teamwork across division in recognizing and promoting the value of bicycling ... as Mass DOT becomes focused on customer service and safety." The Department of Transportation has worked diligently to ensure the highest levels of pedestrian and bicyclist safety possible in Massachusetts. Despite their efforts, bicycle accidents do occur with some regularity in the state.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a 2009 study which found that nearly 650 American bicyclists suffered fatal injuries after motor vehicle accidents. Another 51,000 suffered injuries from bicycle-automobile collisions. Closer to home, nearly 10 percent of these bicycle fatalities occurred in Massachusetts. It is important to remember that bicycles are considered vehicles and share the same rights and responsibilities as operators of traditional vehicles on the road. If a bike accident is the result of reckless or negligent driving, the driver may be responsible for the injured bicyclists medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and loss of potential future earnings.

Continue reading "Fewer Massachusetts Bicycle Accidents Lead to Award of 9th-Most "Bike Friendly State"" »

Spring is here in Boston, Massachusetts and Environmental Police are reminding all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and dirt bike riders of new safety laws. The new Massachusetts laws create age restrictions for minor operators and stiffer penalties for illegal vehicle operation. From 2008-2010, there were 162 reported recreation vehicle accidents and 11 fatalities in Massachusetts.

Pursuant to Massachusetts law, no person under age 10 may operate a recreational vehicle. Persons between ages 10 and 14 may only operate ATVs and/or dirt bikes while preparing for or participating in a sanctioned race, rally or organized event. Recreation vehicle riders ages 14 to 16 may not operate a vehicle with an engine capacity greater than 90 cubic centimeters and may not ride without adult supervision. As of February 1, 2011, any recreation vehicle rider under age 18 must attend a state-approved safety course. To obtain a complete schedule and register for a class, log on to http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/ohvcourselist.htm or call (508) 759-0002.

The new law also requires all operators to register their vehicles with the Massachusetts Environmental Police. In addition, there are harsher penalties for illegal operation of recreation vehicles. Adhering to the new laws is essential to safely enjoy recreational vehicles this upcoming season. After all, rider safety was the chief concern of the Massachusetts legislature and the MEP when the new laws were developed. The unnecessarily high number of accidents resulting in personal injury and/or death should be curbed if these regulations are firmly followed and enforced.

Continue reading "Fatalities Prompt Massachusetts Police to Remind Recreational Bikers of New Safety Laws" »

Massachusetts bikers, motorists and pedestrians may soon have additional company on the road. The City of Boston will be receiving a $3 million grant award from the Federal Government for a bike sharing program. It is expected that the program begin in the spring of 2011. Under a bike sharing plan, people would pay for a membership, for unlimited access to a network of bikes and stations. The bikes can be rented at one station and returned at another.

Local sponsors have already pledged $2 million. This money, together with the grant money, will be used to purchase 500 bicycles and 50 rental stations, which is expected to make Boston more bike-friendly.

According to the Boston Globe, bicycle sharing was established in Europe. In the United States, the first programs began this year in Minneapolis and Denver and another is pending in Washington, D.C.

Advocates see it as a missing link to connect MBTA subway and bus routes, which is why the Federal Transit Administration selected the Boston bike sharing program. For Boston, bike sharing will be a viable component of a robust, green public transit network.

The City will have a year to make the streets more inviting for cyclists. By fall, it is expected that Boston will have created 35 miles of bike lanes, up from zero, and added 750 public racks.

Continue reading "Boston bike sharing plan gets a 3M grant" »

Collisions occur in Massachusetts between bicyclists and motor vehicles nearly every day. In Massachusetts, all bicyclists must obey all traffic laws of the Commonwealth including red lights, stop signs and riding with traffic. All bicyclists should stay to the right of the roadway, except for left hand turns, or where bike lanes direct otherwise and bicyclists must ride in a single lane.

Many towns, such as Cambridge, discourage the riding of bicycles on sidewalks. If a bicyclist is involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury or property damage in excess of $100.00, a bicyclist must notify the police in writing on a Cambridge Police Bicycle accident report. Cambridge also requires bicycle registration. Everyone 16 years old and younger is required by law to wear a bicycle helmet while riding a bicycle on a public way. It is also a good idea for everyone to wear a helmet at all times while bicycling. Parents of children under the age of 16 years of age shall be held liable and fined according to M.G.L. c. 85, s11B for all violations of these laws.

The Boston Globe recently reported on an award of nearly $100,000 to police departments thought the state to provide overtime funds to address pedestrian and bicycle safety through enforcement and education. With the money, police departments are putting officers at busy intersections, issuing more citations and handing out bicycle helmets for young riders and hosting public events to reinforce their message for bicycle safety.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Collisions Between Bicycles and Motor Vehicles" »