Cyclists have the right to utilize public roads alongside those in motor vehicles. However, they accept significant personal risk when they ride on the road. People in larger vehicles don’t always look for bicycles and can easily cause crashes with cyclists.
State lawmakers in California and municipal authorities in different cities have begun looking for ways to protect cyclists from potentially devastating crashes with motor vehicles. Creating dedicated lanes of travel for bicycles is one way to reduce the risk of a crash between a human-powered vehicle and enclosed motor vehicles.
Recently, San Diego opened a new bikeway after roughly more than two years of construction. It represents significant progress for cyclist safety and attempts to reduce environmental impact.
Where is the Pershing Bikeway?
The Pershing Bikeway is a 2.3 mile path that begins in North Park at Utah and Landis Street and ends at C Street downtown. Local authorities committed $14 million to the construction of this protected bike path separated from motor vehicle traffic by an island.
The Pershing Bikeway officially opened on Saturday, July 27th, 2024. There are some minor elements of construction still underway, but the pathway is now accessible to cyclists who want to avoid riding on the open road.
Why are bikeways important?
In areas like San Diego and Encinitas where many people enjoy cycling, they have to accept personal risk to enjoy their preferred mode of travel. If they cross paths with the wrong driver, their life could be at risk.
Bikeways and other protected bike lanes help ensure the safety of cyclists. When there is less reason to worry about a potentially deadly crash, people are more likely to opt for bicycle travel as opposed to motor vehicle travel. Therefore, the installation of bikeways can be valuable not just for the safety of cyclists but also for the reduced environmental impact it represents.
The more people who travel locally on bicycles, the lower the amount of environmental impact individual transportation has. There are many other bikeways and other infrastructure projects intended to promote cycling safety underway across California.
Cyclists can only benefit from utilizing these new routes as they become accessible. However, in the event a rider is injured in an accident with a motorist, they may be eligible for financial compensation. Filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit can be an appropriate response to a cycling crash caused by a driver. Contact the experienced injury lawyers at Coast Law Group for more information.