Death of Legend to Draw Attention to Bicycling Risks

Mike Hall is a legend in the world of endurance cycling, having held a variety of world records. But fame and fortune are not enough to protect even a legend from a deadly interaction between bicycle and car.

Mr. Hall was taking part in an ultra-distance race in Australia when he was struck and killed on the morning of March 21st. Tragically, Mr. Hall had shared his worries on social media just a few days earlier, complaining that cars were not giving the cyclists a safe amount of room during the race.

Whenever an incident like this occurs, the international media finally pays attention to the risks bicyclists face every day. But dwelling only on celebrities fails to address the problems in our own backyards. Though most bicyclists will never rack up the miles that Mr. Hall did, they face significant risks every time they bicycle from home to work, or for exercise, or just for fun.

In just the ten days since Mr. Hall’s death, at least ten bicyclists were struck and killed in the United States, including:

• A hit and run incident on April 3rd in Boca Raton, Florida that left a 55-year-old woman dead
• A father of three who was struck and killed in Queens, New York on April 1st while he was riding home from work
• A beloved teacher and administrator killed in Colorado Springs on April 9th

All these individuals were making contributions to our society, and the world is a poorer place without them. Sadly, many communities still fail to offer safe bike lanes or fail to enforce cars and other motor vehicles giving bikes the legally required amount of space when passing.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a bicycle accident, you are all too familiar with the failures of the system to protect bicyclists on the roads. Please contact an experienced attorney who can help you hold the guilty party accountable, and who can help you push for reform in your city and across the country to make bicycling as safe as it should be.