CDC report shows work needed to keep cyclists safe

Ideal world measures cost money but could have positive impact

Last week, a hit and run accident claimed the life of a bicyclist just south of Highway 95 and West County 15th Street.

The victim, Jose Vasquez-Rodriguez of Somerton, was pronounced dead on the scene, and the driver, Rafael Nunez, 22, of Yuma, was taken into custody. He now faces two felony offenses — one count of manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death.

It’s a sad situation, and one for which the circumstances are not all known at the moment.

And unfortunately, nationwide, it’s not an uncommon situation.

As a means of transportation, bike trips account for just 1% of all trips in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Yet bicyclists face a higher risk of crash related injury and deaths than occupants in motor vehicles.

According to the CDC, in 2015, over 1,000 bicyclists died and there were close to 467,000 bicycle-related injuries in the United States.

Clearly, there is work to be done when it comes to keeping cyclists safe.

When there is a fatality locally, it’s a sad reminder to all drivers and cyclists alike to be aware of one another, and share the road.

In an ideal world, there would be dedicated bike lanes on every road, painted in a bright, reflective color to truly stand out. But creating bike lanes and painting them are ventures that cost money, and that’s something often in short supply for cities and counties.

Also in an ideal world, every bicyclist would be covered in lights and bright, reflective gear, and every driver would be distraction-free and on a constant watch for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Unfortunately, the world isn’t an ideal place. But we can make every effort to make it a better place.

Whether you are a driver, a cyclist or both, please be careful out there. Unsigned editorials represent the viewpoint of this newspaper rather than an individual. Columns and letters to the editor represent the viewpoints of the persons writing them and do not necessarily represent the views of the Yuma Sun.