It’s very clear that both pedestrians and cyclists face a lot of risks near the road. When involved in accidents with motor vehicles, it is highly likely that these individuals will be injured because of their lack of protection.
To combat this, some cities have begun using protected bike lanes. One way to do this is by creating sections of curb in between the bike lane or the sidewalk and the actual travel lane. These are concrete islands with gaps between them so that cyclists can move in and out as they need, but they prevent cars from entering that space.
Why is this so helpful?
These lanes are helpful for a few reasons. For one thing, they prevent drivers from parking close to the street and restricting visibility. This can be helpful for pedestrians at intersections, for instance. But the main benefit is that a physical barrier actually keeps cars away from cyclists or pedestrians. Many accidents happen because drivers simply don’t provide the necessary amount of space.
A driver should stay at least 3 feet away from a cyclist when passing, for instance, but many drivers are impatient and will push their way by, getting much too close to the bike. Since it is clear that laws alone are not enough to get drivers to comply with these safety measures, physical barriers are needed so that the car simply cannot come within a specified distance of the cyclist.
These types of safety devices are typically inexpensive and effective, but accidents do still happen. Those who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence need to know how to seek financial compensation.
