Massachusetts has recently climbed from 19th to 10th on the League of American Bicyclists “Bike Friendly State” list. Our state has also been recognized with the special Bronze level award. As our state has climbed the safety list for riders, motorists are still asked to be cautious to help to decrease the risks of a Massachusetts bicycle accident even further.
“These prestigious national honors are an important recognition of all the changes that we have implemented since becoming MassDOT on November 1, 2009,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Jeffrey B. Mullan. “Key to these honors has been the teamwork across divisions in recognizing and promoting the value of bicycling. The RMV, MBTA, Highway and even the Aeronautics divisions have made important contributions to bicycling as MassDOT becomes a truly multi-modal DOT focused on customer service and safety.”
Our Boston bike accident attorneys would like to point out that this award comes after the Bay State just wrapped up our Bike Safety Week. This event, held last month, proved to be very successful. MassDOT worked with the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike) to hold this week-long event that celebrated bicyclists and safety awareness across the state.
In 2010, MassDOT became the first state DOT in the country to organize a statewide Bike Week celebration. This year’s Bike Week celebrations held nearly 200 bike-related events, spanning Massachusetts from Pittsfield to Orleans.
MassDOT prides itself on its commitment to pedestrian and bicycle safety as a key part of their overall transportation vision. Riding bicycles throughout our city allows people to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and the environment and promote healthy lifestyles.
The beginning of the GreenDOT policy, MassDOT’s comprehensive sustainability initiative that includes promoting walking, bicycling, and public transit as one of its central goals, has largely contributed to these milestones in travel and safety.
GreenDOT asks that residents of the Bay State incorporate sustainability into nearly all of their daily activities. The DOT has vowed to do the same with the strategic planning to project design and construction to system operation.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 650 bicyclists were killed in motor-vehicle accidents in the United States in 2009. Another 51,000 bicyclists suffered injuries from these types of accidents. These bicycling fatalities made up roughly 2 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities, and another 2 percent of all injuries in these accidents, throughout the year. Nearly 10 of these bicyclist fatalities occurred in Massachusetts in 2009.
If you have been injured in an accident in the Boston area, contact Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey S. Glassman for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (617) 777-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Friendlier streets may reduce risk of Boston bicycle accidents, Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, January 29, 2011
Arlington bicycle accidents a concern as city leaders push forward with Massachusetts Avenue improvements, Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, August 9, 2010
Understanding the rules can help reduce risk of Boston pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, July 15, 2010