Which U.S. state ranks as the best for cyclists? According to the League of American Bicyclists, that honor goes to Massachusetts. In 2022, the Commonwealth topped the list of Bicycle Friendly States, scoring “A” grades for “infrastructure and funding,” “education and encouragement,” and “policies and programs.” One area where Massachusetts didn’t excel: “Traffic laws and practices,” a category in which the state received a disappointing “D” grad
So while Massachusetts is generally considered a good place for cyclists, work remains to be done in terms of safety. In the past five years, the state averaged around seven fatal bicyclist accidents and over 900 non-fatal injury crashes per year (MassDOT crash portal data).
Where Do Most Boston Bicycle Accidents Occur?
Although cycling accidents can and do happen anywhere, some areas pose more dangers than others. In an article titled, “The Most Dangerous Things You Can Do While Cycling in Boston, MA,” People Powered Movement lists the following locations as generally unsafe for cyclists:
- Shopping center parking lots and garages
- Areas near public transportation, including railways and buses
- Highways and interstates
- Bridges and overpasses
- Any location where you are unfamiliar with the area
The number of biking accidents also varies by neighborhood, depending on traffic levels, local infrastructure, number of cyclists, and more. According to the Boston EMS 2020 Cyclist & Pedestrian Report, the following communities had the highest number of bicyclist incidents:
- Boston: 84
- Dorchester: 57
- Roxbury: 45
- Brighton: 32
- Jamaica Plain: 29
Around 55% of these incidents involved a motor vehicle, 18% involved a road surface, and 9% involved a pedestrian. Over 200 bicycle accidents resulted in transport to an area hospital.
When Do Most Boston Bicycle Accidents Occur?
August saw the highest number of bicyclist incidents in the Boston EMS report, but June-July and September-November also recorded more accidents than the monthly average in 2020. In terms of the time of day, biking accidents started to spike around 10 am, peaked at around 3 pm, and remained high until around 7 pm. Data from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts indicate that cyclist fatalities follow a similar pattern, with half of bicyclist deaths occurring between 12 pm and 6 pm.
Can a Boston Bike Accident Lawyer Help Me?
If you were badly injured in a Massachusetts bicycle accident, you may be facing expensive medical bills, lost time at work, and perhaps even temporary or permanent disability. The experienced Boston bike accident lawyers at Altman & Altman LLP can help you seek the compensation you need after a serious biking accident. We can sort through issues involving insurance, medical bills, determining fault, the cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle, and much more.
Altman & Altman LLP has decades of experience protecting the rights of Massachusetts cycling accident victims. Whether you had a collision with an underinsured motorist, suffered from a dooring accident, lost control of your bicycle on a poorly maintained road, or crashed due to a mechanical failure, our attorneys have the expertise needed to successfully represent you. So call us today at 800.481.6199 or contact us online for a free consultation with a skilled Massachusetts bike accident lawyer.