Community Corner

Berkeley Ranks High in Bike Accidents

Between 2005 and 2010, there were 819 bicycle collisions.

Both local bicyclists and motorists will not be surprised to learn that Berkeley is the fourth most perilous place to pedal in the Bay Area, although it is only the 11th largest community in terms of population.

The fatal collision of a visiting Israeli neuropsychologist while riding his bike on Bancroft Way on July 13 marked the second time a bicyclist has been killed in Berkeley in the past decade. Fatal bike accidents are rare, but collisions are not. Between 2005 and 2010, there were 819 bicycle collisions in Berkeley, according to a report Tuesday from the Bay Citizen. The article noted that the blocks near campus are particularly treacherous.

Numbers from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System show that bicycle injury accidents increased in the last two years of the last deacde. 

Category 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Bike Fatal 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bike Injury 131 136 129 143 119 132 147 134 180 189 Pedestrian Injury 22 04 26 25 98 101 98 89 91 84 Pedestrian Fatal 1 1 1 1 0 4 0 4 0 2 Source: The California Highway Patrol via RAND California

Motorists and bicyclists, how do you stay safe while navigating Berkeley's roads? 

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