Map Your Bicycle Accidents

Just this last Tuesday evening, while outside Licorous for Seattlest Happy Hour, we saw an accident with a bicyclist at 12th & Spring. A guy in a Jag "bumped" a bicyclist who was, technically, going the wrong way down the bicycle lane, as he was trying to hop up on the sidewalk. No one was hurt, but the bicycle was a bit damaged and didn't seem to be working all that well.

Bicycle and car interactions are a hotly debated part of Seattle life, with both sides accusing the other of recklessness (but only one doing so in a massive steel vehicle capable of incredible speeds and powers). So we're excited to see (via Slog) that the Cascade Bicycle Club is sponsoring a new site called Bikewise to help bicyclists report incidents to a central map. Over time, this could provide valuable data that helps both cyclists and even the city to re-think road strategies.

You can report either "crashes," "hazards," or "thefts" via the map, which ages them over time. It's not perfect, but it's a good start. Now only if they had a tag for the ones involving fixies...

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jeremy in News on May 21, 2009 11:30 AM

Comments [rss]

Mel

A lot of of people always don't think twice when riding a bicycle. There are several dangerous tragedies that can occur while an individual is riding on a bicycle and they usually happen when the bicyclist least expects it. A little precaution can save lives like wearing helmets. Helmets are cheap, have one if you are fond in bicycling. Here's a stat about bicycles and helmets - Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.

Wrongful Death Law in some states are pretty antiquated, so better exercise extreme care...

And yeah, riding a bicycle in a wrong way is damned wrong!

Balzaak

there's some common sense danger in riding the opposite way of traffic. especially when you're an exposed bicyclist going up against "technically, going the wrong way down the bicycle lane". it's up there with a car going the wrong way on the road, except one is a bit more life threatening to the law breaker than the other.