Seattle Bicycle Accidents On The Rise? Yep, More Bicycles On Roads Because of High Gas Prices Equals More Opportunity For Bike Accidents

July 18th 2008

Seattle Bicycle Accidents On The Rise? Yep, More Bicycles On Roads Because of High Gas Prices Equals More Opportunity For Bike Accidents

As an avid recreational Seattle bike rider and Washington Bicycle Accident Attorney I’ve seen more and more bicycles on the road as people ditch their cars as gas prices have risen to over $4.00 per gallon. With more and more bicycles hitting the Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland and other Washington city streets you can expect to see a rise in car versus bicycle accidents.

Bike sales have skyrocketed this year due to high gas prices according to the National Bicycle Dealers Association. Bicycles are flying out bike shop doors and onto Seattle streets. Bikes are no longer toys hanging in the garage, they’re becoming primary transportation to work. You can expect this to continue as gas prices here in Washington climb toward $5 per gallon.

I for one am biking to work more than last year. Gas prices are ridiculous and I object on principle to oil companies making billions off of me and then getting off with a slap on the wrist when they poison the environment. Hello, Exxon!

All these new bikers on the road means more conflict between bikes and cars. My mother in law, like many other Washington drivers, believes bicycles should not be on the road and should get h*&% out of the way! Bicycles have equal legal right to be on the road and those of you in cars need to share the road. Bicycles need to follow all traffic laws, hello, no running stop sign or red lights. If you and I all follow the rules of the road, be courteous, patient and share the road many bicycles versus car accidents could be avoided.