Arcata, California, Decreases Number Of Bike Accidents Through Improved Engineering

Arcata, a small town of 16,651 in Humboldt County, California, is one of the safest cities for cycling in the United States. Thanks to recently improved engineering and a community of active cyclists, this city, which is home to Humboldt State University, has averaged a mere 13.5 reported bike accidents per year since 2000, with zero fatalities.

Arcata has made a constant effort to provide citizens with an opportunity to enjoy cycling without risking safety due to bike accidents. Here are three ways this has been accomplished:

Community Encouragement -- Arcata is one of the only cities in the world where anybody can get a bike for only a $20 deposit, which works great in a college town. With nearly one third of Arcata's residents between 18-24 years in age, affordability is important. The Arcata Bike Library fully refurbishes bicycles and offers them back to the public for a fraction of what a new bike would cost. According to a 2000 census, biking accounts for more than 5% of all commuting trips within Arcata -- which is over 13 times the national average!

Bike Lanes -- Arcata is only 11 square miles in size, yet it has over 12 miles of bike lanes within city limits. Beyond that, the city has also added paved shoulders to 95% of its arterial streets to ensure cyclists are out harm's way. Bike lanes and bike paths significantly reduce the number of bike accidents by providing cyclists with much more room to maneuver.

Additional Infrastructure-- Besides bike lanes, Arcata has also equipped all traffic lights with bicycle sensitive activation. This dramatically increases bicycle safety, as cyclists don't need to maneuver intersections without a green light.

Thanks to all the effort in creating a safer cycling environment, Arcata was recognized in May 2008 by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bronze level bicycle friendly community -- putting it in the top 50 safest cities for cycling in the United States.

Regardless of where you are cycling, there are always risks involved. A bicycle friendly city such as Arcata still has several bike accidents each year, so always ride defensively.

If you do get in a bicycle accident in Arcata, California, you need a personal injury lawyer you can trust so you can receive maximum compensation for your damages. By choosing an attorney experienced in bike accidents you can receive full compensation for your damages based on what the law and circumstances allow.