More Cyclists Mean Fewer Bike Accidents In South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe has quickly become one of the most active in all of California thanks to the many cycling programs and events going on in the city throughout the year. However, while there are plenty of benefits to cycling, residents are also encouraged to go through basic training before they commute by bicycle in order to decrease the number of bike accidents.

From 2002-2006, the California Highway Patrol reported an average of 15 bike accidents each year in South Lake Tahoe, with two fatal collisions during that time. One of the most popular methods used in California to reduce the number of bike accidents is to encourage more cycling activity.

While traditional logic would have you believe that more cyclists would mean more bike accidents, this is untrue for a few reasons. As more cyclists hit the road:

1) Drivers become more aware of their presence
2) Drivers learn how to drive more safely around them
3) The city improves engineering and infrastructure to handle more bikes

Because of this revelation, South Lake Tahoe and other cities in California are actively encouraging cycling as a major form of transportation. Cycling is one of the safest ways to commute, the least expensive, and it is the healthiest for both residents and the environment.

There are several exciting ways South Lake Tahoe promotes commuting by bike. During National Bike to Work Month, businesses in the city compete against each other to see who can ride the most miles. The two major local cycling events--America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe and Tour de Tahoe--are heavily promoted and attract thousands of cyclists to compete. Lastly, the city offers and distributes local trail maps to all residents free of charge.

Although South Lake Tahoe has under 25,000 residents, it has been nationally recognized for its many programs that encourage cycling within the community. In fact, the League of American Bicyclists recently rated South Lake Tahoe a Bronze level bicycling community, which makes it one of the top 15 cities in California for cycling. However, even though cycling can be quite an enjoyable event, you always face the risk of being in a bike accident.

If you are ever involved in a bike accident in South Lake Tahoe and believe you are not at fault, you should contact a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation. A personal injury lawyer that specializes in bike accidents can help you assess, file, and win your personal injury claim so you can receive the compensation you deserve!