The
Chicago Department of Transportation recently released the "Chicago Bicycle Crash Analysis," a report examining trends in Chicago bicycle
crashes from 2005 to 2010. During this period of time, there were 8,861
injury-causing bicycle collisions and 32 bicyclist
fatalities in Chicago. The study analyzed both safety data on crashes,
injuries and trauma from several sources as well as travel data to
identify key concerns and to recommend strategies to lower the number of
bicycle crashes in Chicago. The results of the study provide an
interesting insight into Chicago bicycle crash trends.
Who
The
Chicago DOT's study analyzed common traits among the types of
bicyclists and motorists who are most frequently involved in bicycle
collisions. Among bicyclists, males accounted for 2/3 of the bicycle
miles ridden in Chicago between 2005-2010 but accounted for 3/4 of
the bicyclists involved in injury-causing crashes. In addition, male
bicyclists accounted for two times the amount of bicycling fatalities
compared to women bicyclists. The highest number of bicycle crashed
occurred among male bicyclists aged 10-14 and 45-54.
Among
motorists, men were behind the wheel in 64% of injury-causing bicycle
collisions. In addition, male motorists were involved in 70% of fatal
bicycle collisions, though female motorists were involved in the
majority fatal crashes among motorists aged 55 and over. Among both
males and females, drivers aged 25-44 were most likely to be involved in
an injury-causing bicycle collision.
What
During
the six years included in the study, there were an average of 1,477
injury-causing bicycle crashes per year in Chicago, equating to an
average of more than four injury-causing bicycle collisions per day. In
addition, during the six years included in the study, there were an
average of five bicycling fatalities in Chicago per year. Among
bicyclists involved in collisions, 10% suffered "incapacitating"
injuries, 52% suffered "non-incapacitating" injuries and 38% suffered
"possible" injuries. Personal vehicles were involved in over 78% of
bicycle crashes, while taxis were involved in just over 8% of bicycle
crashes and city buses were involved in approximately 1.5% of bicycle
crashes.
When
The
majority of Chicago bicycle collisions during 2005-2010 occurred
in the summer months from June through September. However, only 45% of
all fatal crashes occurred during the summer months. There was
no notable trend regarding the frequency of injury-causing bicycle
crashes during the weekdays, though the number of injury-causing crashes
spiked on Fridays. Sunday
accounted for the lowest percentage of injury-causing crashes, but
surprisingly accounted for the highest number of bicycling fatalities.
With respect to time of day, the largest number of injury-causing
crashes occurred between 4:00-7:00 p.m., but bicycle fatalities occurred most often between 8:00 p.m. and midnight.
Where
From
2005-2010, Chicago's injury-causing and fatal bicycles crashes were
most concentrated in neighborhoods just north and west of the Loop. In
specific, approximately 37% of all injury-causing bicycle crashes and
34% of all fatal and serious bicycle crashes occurred in the area
extending north through Lincoln Park to Lakeview and extending West
through Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Logan Square. However, 1/3 of all
miles ridden on bicycles in Chicago occurred in this area as well. There
were also more bicycle collisions on major roadways extending from the
Loop, including Milwaukee Avenue, Lincoln Avenue and Clark Street.
Approximately 55% of all bicycle collisions occurred at intersections.
Why
During
the years included in the study, there was not a single cause
accounting for the majority of bicycle crashes, but motorists' failure
to yield accounted for 40% of all bicycle crashes. In addition,
approximately 40% of all bicycle crashes occurred when bicyclists were
traveling against traffic. At controlled intersections, the likelihood
of being involved in a bicycle collision doubled when bicyclists crossed
intersections against traffic signals.
Perhaps
the most notable trend among Chicago bicycling fatalities related to
bicycle helmet use. Of the 29 bicycling fatalities in Chicago between
2005-2010, only one of the bicyclists was wearing a helmet. In addition,
75% of bicyclists taken to trauma centers following a collision were
not wearing helmets. Drunk driving was not a statistically significant
factor in relation to bicyclist fatalities.
How - The Takeaway
The
Chicago Department of Transportation concluded its report by discussing
a number of recommendations to help achieve its goal of reducing the
number of bicycle crashes in Chicago by 50% over the next five years.
The Chicago DOT's recommendations focus on five specific areas:
(1) roadway design and engineering solutions, (2) education and
marketing solutions, (3) data and reporting solutions, (4) enforcement
solutions and (5) policy solutions, which are discussed at length in the
DOT's report.
The
Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices appreciate and fully
support the efforts of the Chicago DOT to investigate the causes of the
alarming number of bicycling collisions that occur in Chicago each year.
As the leading Illinois firm in the field of bicycle litigation, we
are routinely shocked by the circumstances resulting in our clients'
injuries and believe that the vast majority of the collisions we see
firsthand are preventable. We applaud the Chicago DOT in its strategic
effort to take calculated steps to decrease the number of bicycling
injuries and fatalities in our city.
If
you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving
Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney
Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@
