Public Investment Pays Off in Pedestrian, Bicyclist Safety, Florida Still On Top List for Most Dangerous Region

A new study of pedestrian and bicycle travel suggests investment in infrastructure and policies to encourage walking and biking is correlated with lower rates of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths.

The work by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Madison also identifies the safest and most dangerous metropolitan regions for pedestrians and bicyclists in the U.S.

Using improved travel data, the study calculated the rates of fatalities for walkers and bicyclists in 46 American regions with populations greater than one million.

The safest regions identified by the meta-analysis were:

Walking

Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Minneapolis
New York City
Portland
San Francisco
Seattle

Bicycling

Portland

The most dangerous regions were:

Walking

Houston
Jacksonville
Miami
Orlando
San Antonio
Tampa

Bicycling

Jacksonville
New York City
Orlando
Tampa
West Palm Beach

The study uses data from the National Household Travel Survey, which includes work, recreational, shopping, school and social trips, so it goes beyond the “journey-to-work” data collected by the U.S. Census.

Analysis of all 46 regions also provided support for the “safety in numbers” hypothesis: More pedestrian and bicyclist traffic overall is related to lower crash risk for each person walking and bicycling.

Throughout Florida, people often walk and use bicycles for pleasure and commuting purposes. Sadly, as more people use bikes and walking for travel, accidents have increased as well. Motorists do not always observe rules concerning pedestrians and cyclists, which contributes to the high number of fatalities seen in pedestrian and bicycle accidents.

If you or a loved one has been harmed in a pedestrian or bicycle accident involving a collision with a motor vehicle in Florida, you may have a right to compensation for your injuries and losses. It is important to protect your rights and get the help you deserve.

Our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can offer you a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case. Call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online.