Bicycle Deaths up 55% since 2010

According to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, bicycle deaths are up 55 percent since 2010.

While its says child bike deaths have gone down, deaths in people 20 years and older have quadrupled in the last several decades.

the League of American Bicyclists rates Indiana as the 22nd safest state for bike safety....

The experts I spoke with, like Anton Gets of Pedego Electric Bike, say safe biking reminders are important.

"Well wear a helmet, if you're going to ride at night, get lights front and rear. If you're just starting out, stick to trails, there are a lot of good trails around here."

Getz was actually hit by 2 different cars where the accidents were caused by distracted and impatient driving.

He was left to pay for the replacements on his bike, which he says is his main and only source of transportation.

Bike Law attorney Matt Scarborough is based in Florida but covers all of America and parts of Canada.

Scarborough says there are pros and cons to more bikers on the roads.

"There was an increase of over 10 or 15 percent of people buying bicycles. there was a big shortage on bicycles during the covid time. But unfortunately, with all of the increase, since 2010 we've seen 55 percent increase in deaths."

As there has been an increase in cycling over the years, Scarborough says he's also seen an increase in distracted driving.

For many young people, biking is their first taste of freedom before starting drivers ed.

Garrett Snyder says he is recently recovering from a broken wrist after he was hit by a car.

He's hoping Michiana can be a more biker-friendly community.

"There are parts of the road where the sidewalks just cut off. So you're riding there and its just gone so you either have to go on the grass or go on a major highway to ride."

Scarborough says to always document the accident with a phone and immediately contact an attorney.

The general rule of thumb, and the law in many cities like South Bend, say drivers must give bikers 3 feet of space.

More information on Scarborough's work can be found here and more information on the study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety can be found here.