Increase In Injuries, Crashes On Charlotte Roads

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by Kirk Hawkins
Bio | Email | Follow: @kirkhawkins by Photographer Darnell Hart

Story Created: Mar 3, 2013 at 9:37 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 3, 2013 at 11:15 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Mark Hill and members of his master's cycling team spent their sunday riding
through Myers Park. "I'm a country boy so I like to be where I can be out on a bike," said the Dilworth
resident.

But there are reports that the number of injuries and vehicle crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians increased last year in the city. Because of that, Mark and others are now taking precautions. "We need to do our job, our due diligence, that we observe the traffic rules and we try to ride in areas where it's less congested," Hill said.

The city is still working to finance it's strategic plan. It calls for 375 miles of sidewalks by 2035.

"I think it's great to have infrastructure but I think we do need to spend a lot of time particularly educating young drivers," said Attorney Ann Groninger. Groninger has handled a number of cycling related cases. While she favors sidewalks and bike lanes, she says the biggest problem is distracted driving. "We're supposed to follow the rules of the road. We should follow the rules of the road. And people need to understand we're going to do that and react accordingly," she said.

Hill and his teammates say cycling keeps them in shape. "It keeps me out of trouble. As long as I get home and do what my wife  tells me to do at the end of the day," he said.

Caution can come at home, yet, new stats prove a renewed reason to be alert on the road, as well.

Reports also say city and state transportation data show deaths declined slightly on Charlotte roads last year.

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