Gov. Cox promotes bike safety after record number of accidents in 2022

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SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox launched a public service announcement on Friday encouraging Utahns to be extra conscious of bikers on the highway after 2022 noticed a record-number of motorbike accidents.

“Whether or not on a motorbike or in a automobile, it’s important that you simply comply with site visitors legal guidelines as a result of roads are for bikes and vehicles,” Cox said in the video.

Cox inspired Utahns to not drive distracted or impaired, to pay attention to bike lanes and people touring by bike, to decelerate at crosswalks and verify for bicyclists earlier than turning, and to offer 3 toes of passing house for bikers.

“Constructing and sustaining trails and communities across the state to supply devoted lively transportation routes for cyclists is a method that state leaders are working collectively to enhance bike security,” Cox stated. “However bike security requires greater than devoted trails. It requires intentional efforts by all of us to make sure roadways are protected for everybody.”

Bicycle-related traffic deaths rose from six in 2021 to fifteen in 2022. The state has averaged 5.75 bicycle deaths per 12 months over the earlier 4 years, previous to the 15 in 2022.

The announcement was posted on social media by Bike Utah, a nonprofit devoted to creating Utah a safer place for biking and different lively transportation.

Huge THANKS to @GovCox for this public service announcement about bike security.
Collectively, we’ll make Utah a greater place to trip. #BikeUtah#SafeSystemspic.twitter.com/haoGX0z9sG

— Bike Utah (@iBikeUtah) January 6, 2023

“Gov. Cox is a good accomplice in advocacy and security for all cyclists,” stated Bike Utah Govt Director Jenn Oxborrow. “The general public service announcement is one instance of his resolve to make Utah a greater place for everybody to trip. We significantly respect his bike security message and we look ahead to continued collaborative efforts to construct and enhance protected programs statewide.”

UDOT director Carlos Braceras pledged in May 2022 that the company would start new initiatives and supply funding to enhance avenue security alongside the Wasatch Entrance after six individuals, together with 4 kids, had been killed inside two weeks of one another in separate pedestrian and bicycle-related crashes. A number of had been attributable to suspected impaired or rushing drivers.

UDOT company officers consider Cox’s proposed statewide trails network has the potential to supply “a protected and sustainable transportation possibility” for pedestrians and bicyclists because the system is pieced collectively. The governor’s proposed 2024 fiscal year budget requires $100 million to be put aside to get the undertaking rolling although, it is as much as the Utah Legislature to allocate the cash.

Cox stated to put on a helmet and use lights when driving a motorbike as a way to scale back head accidents and to make your self extra seen to different highway customers.

Contributing: Carter Williams

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