Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is actively addressing the concerning issue of bicycle-related injuries and fatalities on Michigan roads as the state enters National Bicycle Safety Month. Katie Bower, OHSP director, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about bicycle safety, stating, “We continue to see a rise in bicycle-involved crashes in many communities across the state.” Bower highlighted the shared responsibility of traffic safety and urged both motorists and bicyclists to be aware of and adhere to traffic laws to prevent accidents.

According to crash data, there has been a significant increase in bicyclist-related fatalities in Michigan over the past three years. From 2020 to 2022, 103 bicyclists lost their lives on Michigan roadways, marking a 64 percent increase compared to the previous three-year period. In contrast, there were a total of 63 fatalities from 2017 to 2019.

The OHSP and its traffic safety partners are actively engaging in educating residents on the importance of bicycle safety and the traffic laws that are in place to protect bicyclists. Bower stressed, “Motorists and bicyclists can avoid crashes if they know and follow the rules of the road and watch out for each other.”

In 2022, the peak hour for bicycle-involved crashes was from 4-4:59 p.m., with the peak hours for bicycle fatalities occurring from 8-8:59 p.m. and 10-10:59 p.m. To enhance safety on the roads, both drivers and bicyclists are encouraged to adhere to specific safety tips. Bicyclists are advised to ride with traffic, use hand signals, ensure visibility with appropriate safety gear, and watch for turning traffic. On the other hand, drivers are reminded to give at least 3 feet of space when passing bicyclists, obey traffic signals, yield to bicyclists as they would to motorists, and exercise extra caution at intersections.

For individuals seeking more information on bicycle safety tips and resources, they are encouraged to visit the OHSP webpage for additional guidance and support.