Sumner Law
  • Home
  • Practice Areas
    • Motor Vehicle Accidents
    • Bicycle And Pedestrian Accidents
    • Other Personal Injuries
    • Wrongful Death
  • About
  • Firm News
    • Injury Law Blog
    • Published Articles
  • Testimonial
  • Contact
Select Page

Drivers consider those on bikes as less than human

On behalf of Sumner Law | Jul 18, 2019 | Bicycle Accidents

Those who ride bicycles (or even motorcycles for that matter) are constantly reminded of their second-class status when sharing the roads with cars and trucks. Even when a bicyclist uses their assigned bike lanes, drivers seem to cut bicyclists off to take a turn or double park. This is to say nothing of such bullying behavior as tailgating or physically intimidate bicyclists out of their lanes.

Now there is research that suggests that drivers consider bicyclists as less than human – drivers of motorized vehicles confirm this with self-reported aggressive behavior. The premise is that drivers are prone to be more aggressive towards bikers because they are seen as less than human. The findings were disturbing, and included high profile examples were critics labeled bikers as “cockroaches on wheels” or as someone “who should be shot.”

According to the study:

  • Drivers of motor vehicles see bicyclists as 45% human
  • Drivers of motor vehicles who identified themselves as bike riders saw other bicyclists as 70% human

Other troubling trends

While numbers of bike riders are on the rise, the League of American Bicyclists points out that fatalities are also up. There are other troubling trends as well:

  • There have been 783 bicycle fatalities involving motor vehicles in 2017, which is a 25% increase since 2010.
  • There were 45,000 bike injuries from crashes.
  • Fatalities in some states are higher for bike riders with California traditionally near the top.
  • The most common reason for a fatality involving motorists was hitting a bicyclist from behind.
  • Those who see bicyclists more often tend to be more aggressive towards them.

Change is here

Despite these disturbing trends, commuting by bike or riding for pleasure continue to rise, particularly in urban communities. In a move that seemingly exacerbates motorists, municipalities are making it more convenient to ride and less convenient to drive a car, SUV or truck. This is done by adding bike lanes, which hinder traffic flow and reduce parking, and providing other bike-friendly amenities.

Unfortunately, not everyone is on board. Victims on bikes may need to fight back to assert their rights to damages caused by negligent motorists. Those with questions can contact personal injury attorneys with experience representing bike victims and their families to get answers while also discussing potential damages.

Recent Posts

  • Are inexperienced truck drivers becoming a problem?
  • Distracted driving can lead to serious car accidents
  • Wrongful death claims for bicycle accidents
  • What should you say to your insurance agent after a car accident?
  • Pedestrians account for 25% of state’s auto deaths

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • October 2015
  • November 2014

Categories

  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Firm News
  • Uncategorized

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

Caala
Champion Of Justice Award
Robert E Cartwright
Super Lawyer
Avvo Rating

How Can I Help You

Sumner Law

1299 Newell Hill Pl
Suite 202
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Phone: 925-278-6170

Map & Directions
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

© 2021 Sumner Law. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters

Review Us