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Boston's Bike Report Reveals Crash Trends

Man walking down Commonwealth Avenue looks at the ghost bike left in Christopher Weigl’s memory, on Monday December 11, 2012. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
A man walking down Commonwealth Avenue looks at the ghost bike left in Christopher Weigl’s memory on Monday December 11, 2012. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino wants to cut in half the number of bicyclists hurt in crashes by the year 2020.

Recommendations in the new Cyclist Safety Report (PDF) released by the city of Boston include adding helmet vending machines at Hubway stations, fining riders who don't obey cycling laws, and increasing police enforcement of areas with high crash rates.

"The bicycle has become a critical part of our transportation system," Menino said in a statement. "This spirited resurgence of the bicycle has placed our city streets in a time of transition, from one dependent upon cars, to one embracing more active transportation options. Transitions can be difficult."

The report found that half of injured cyclists were young adults, ages 18-30. Data showed that peak times for crashes were 5:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. And the majority of bike accidents involved a collision with a motor vehicle.

Data for the report's analysis came from Boston Police, Boston Emergency Medical Services and Boston Bikes.

This program aired on May 15, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.

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