Florida leads the nation in bicycle deaths, report reveals

A new report from transportation officials is revealing some troubling statistics.

Florida leads the nation in bicycle deaths, with injuries also topping the list nationwide.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 18 people on average are in a bicycle crash every day.

Per capita, the state leads the nation in bike deaths.

“It’s unfortunate, but it doesn’t really surprise me. We’re really a tourist state and we have so many people that come in from out of state that are not familiar with our roads, and I think that contributes to this safety issue,” said Martin Stern, an attorney with Anidjar and Levine.

Stern’s law firm represents people who have suffered personal injuries, including those who have been in crashes involving bicycles.

“Ideally, we wish that those injuries didn’t happen,” Stern said. “Injuries can last a lifetime.”

According to officials, 7,875 people were in bike crashes last year, and 200 people died, including Dartmouth football coach Buddy Teevens. He was hit by a pickup truck while riding in St. Augustine last March and died from his injuries five months later.

Brian Corcoran of Champion Bike Shop gives his customers safety reminders daily.

“I always try to convey to consumers that you gotta obey the exact same laws as a car,” Corcoran said.

There are three tips he recommends people do:

• Ride with the traffic in the bike lane or ride on a sidewalk if possible. It’s important to note it is legal to ride on sidewalks in Jacksonville, but the cyclist must yield to pedestrians

• Wear bright-colored clothing if riding at night

• Always wear a helmet

“Be safe and be healthy. That’s what bicycling is all about,” Corcoran said.

If you get into a crash, attorney Stern recommends paying attention to your injuries, keeping a phone with you so you can call 911, and staying at the scene and taking pictures if you can, but only if you can do it safely.