Cyclists are at a lot of risk when they share the roads with motor vehicles. Even those who are very safety conscious could cross paths with distracted or drunk drivers who could cause a crash. Although cyclists are frequently not at fault for the collisions they experience, they often suffer far worse consequences than the parties who actually cause those collisions.
A bicycle provides very little or no protection from impact, and even the best protective gear can’t prevent someone from suffering broken bones or worse when a car strikes a cyclist. Therefore, cyclists need to be aware of their surroundings and other risk factors. Knowledge of which areas are most dangerous can help cyclists to make more informed decisions about their safety.
Where are bicyclists most at risk?
When looking at crash risk for motor vehicles, roads with higher speed limits like interstates are often the most dangerous. However, surface streets where cyclists have the most risk. At intersections, there is always a possibility that drivers might not fully stop or may fail to check their surroundings. According to an in-depth analysis of crashes affecting cyclists performed by Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), there are certain locations that have seen far more fatal crashes than others.
Hennepin Avenue is one of the more dangerous roads, as it appears twice on the list of five intersections. Where Hennepin Avenue intersects with Lyndale and Groveland Avenue saw six crashes during the years reviewed by MPR. Hennepin Avenue’s intersection with 1st and 2nd Streets saw seven crashes.
Lyndale Avenue is another high-risk road. In addition to the intersection with Hennepin Avenue, the Lyndale Avenue intersection with Franklin Avenue is also higher-risk with eight reported bicycle collisions. Additionally, the intersection of Lyndale Avenue and Lake Street saw 11 crashes. The most dangerous intersection is where Franklin Avenue crosses Cedar and Minnehaha Avenues, where 21 bicycle collisions occurred.
Depending on how frequently people bike and their reasons for doing so, they may not always be able to avoid these dangerous intersections. If someone must travel through the intersections notorious for experiencing higher numbers of bicycle collisions, they may need to be extra cautious. Knowing when one’s safety is at risk is crucial for cyclists who could easily suffer life-altering or fatal injuries in the event of a crash caused by another traveler.