Boston Injury Attorney Blog
In a recent article on boston.com, “Meet the Mayoral Candidates: Making Cycling Safer,” Boston mayoral candidates offered their suggestions on cycling safety plans to be implemented in and around the city. It is encouraging to see the candidates thinking about bicycle safety, which is often an underappreciated hazard. Each of the candidates offered impactful suggestions. Some of the highlights include:
- Candidate Bill Walczak stressed helmet use, along with motorist and bicyclist education. He also advocates more prominent and protected bike lanes.
- Candidate John Barrows offers a slightly different focus, suggesting that we gear safety training toward groups with higher crash rates. These groups include area college students, cyclists, and MBTA and taxi operators. Workplace and on-campus training would be a focus of Mr. Barrows, along with making helmets and reflective/illumination products more readily available.
- Candidate Don Conley would launch a public education campaign on sharing the roads and bike safety. Mr. Conley also suggests that “helmet vending machines” and kiosks be located throughout the city, particularly around Hubway areas.
- Candidate Charles Clemons suggested a Boston area PSA campaign, with overall better enforcement of traffic laws.
- Candidate Felix Arroyo believes in changing infrastructure, such as implementing cycle tracks, to better protect against bicycling injuries and fatalities.
- Candidate Rob Consalvo would launch a “Share the Road” campaign and support the Boston Bikes program, which is already up and running.
- Candidate John Connolly would increase bike lanes and incorporate a “complete streets” approach, which incorporates bike safety into all road design.
- Candidate Marty Walsh would initiate a comprehensive traffic flow review that includes how to potentially make the city move more smoothly and increase the safety and access for bicyclists.
- Candidate Mike Ross wants to see an expansion of bike lanes throughout the entire Boston area, in addition to universal bike training, including giving out free lights, which can be a part of university orientation.
The Boston personal injury lawyers at Bellotti Law Group wish the best of luck to all the candidates on the September 24th primary election and we offer own safety tips below, with the hopes of avoiding or minimizing bicycling risk:
– To minimize the risk of bike accidents, always ride with the traffic, never against it.
– Remember, a bike is considered a vehicle, just like a car or truck, and has the same rights and responsibilities on the road. Remember to share the road and abide by all traffic laws, signs, and devices, no matter if you’re traveling on four wheels or two.
– Wear safety reflectors and bright clothing, particularly at dusk and at night, when it is more difficult for motorists to see you.
– Practice safe, defensive cycling, anticipating and expected automobile maneuvers around you.
– Bicycle paths and less crowded streets should be traveled over busy streets or highways.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle-related accident, you may be entitled to legal redress. Call the Boston personal injury attorneys at Bellotti Law Group at 617-225-2100 today.