Using a bike to commute provides good exercise and is better for the environment, since you are not using fossil fuels to get to work. But Pittsburgh residents should know that even as more and more Pennsylvanians turn to this form of transportation, many drivers are still unfamiliar with (or hostile to) bikers. Bike and car conflicts can result in very serious personal injuries or even cases of wrongful death.

In one very sad incident that occurred in May, two doctors from Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh died after they were struck while cycling by a hit-and-run driver. Another cyclist was killed in July when she was run over by a tractor-trailer. One man who regularly bikes to work told a reporter he was once struck by a car that did not stop at an intersection and had to undergo serious medical treatment for his injuries. A second cyclist also said he was hurt when he was in a bike lane and a bus driver did not see him; the driver opened the bus' door just as the man was coming up alongside the bus, causing the door to hit the cyclist.

Both cyclists and drivers have rules they must follow. In an ideal world, both cyclists and drivers would carefully observe all traffic laws and no one would get hurt. Unfortunately, this just does not happen. Until that ideal world becomes a reality, cyclists simply must accept that there is a risk of injury associated with their hobby.

If you regularly use a bicycle for transportation, make sure you are always aware of your surroundings and wear a helmet at all times. Those steps will help make sure you stay safe. Nonetheless, if you are injured, you may want to speak with a personal injury attorney. He or she will be able to listen to the facts of your situation and tell you whether you have a good case.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "As more workers make the commute by bike, cyclists campign for rights, improved safety," Annie Tubbs, Sept. 15, 2011.