I'd Love to Ride More—But It's Just Too Dangerous with All the Distracted Driving

We hear this concern every day during e-bike test rides at our shop. And here's the thing: it's completely valid. Distracted driving is real. The fear is real. But the solution isn't what most people think.

The Real Problem Isn't Just Bad Drivers—It's Bad Design

We can pass all the laws we want about texting and driving. We can run awareness campaigns until we're blue in the face. But until we address the fundamental problem—streets designed primarily for cars—nothing will truly change for cyclists, walkers, or joggers.

The good news? We already know what works. And the data is overwhelming.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Cities across America have proven that proper cycling infrastructure doesn't just help cyclists—it makes streets dramatically safer for everyone. Portland saw its bicycle mode share increase from 1.2% to 6% between 1990 and 2010. During that same period, the road fatality rate dropped by 75% (ScienceDaily). That's not just safer for cyclists—that's safer for every single person using those streets.

Seattle experienced a 60.6% reduction in fatal crashes. San Francisco saw a 49.3% drop. Denver witnessed a 40.3% decline. Chicago reduced fatal crashes by 38.2% (Streetsblog). What did these cities have in common? They invested in protected bike lanes.

And here's the remarkable part: when New York City installed protected bike lanes, injury crashes for all road users—including drivers—typically dropped by 40% to 50% (GovFacts). Think about that. Drivers became safer when the city added bike infrastructure.

It's Not Just About Bikes—Walkers and Joggers Benefit Even More

If you walk or jog in the Valley, this matters to you just as much—maybe more. Protected bike lanes in New York City reduced injury rates for people walking by 12% to 52% (PeopleForBikes). For seniors, the impact was even more dramatic: pedestrian deaths and serious injuries dropped by 29.1%. For seniors specifically, the risk went down by 39% (PubMed Central).

Why? Because the same infrastructure that protects cyclists also transforms the experience for pedestrians:

• You get your sidewalks back: When New York and Washington D.C. installed protected bike lanes, the number of bikes on sidewalks immediately fell by an average of 56% (PeopleForBikes). No more dodging cyclists on your morning jog—they finally have safe space on the street.

• Shorter, safer crossings: Those curb extensions don't just help cyclists. They dramatically reduce how far you need to walk across traffic lanes when you're crossing Kirk Road or heading into Mill Creek Park.

• Traffic naturally slows down: The infrastructure that protects cyclists acts as a calming mechanism on cars, making conditions safer whether you're on two wheels, two feet, or pushing a stroller.

  
  

What Protected Infrastructure Actually Delivers

When proper cycling infrastructure goes in, the transformation isn't subtle:

• Massive Injury Reductions for Cyclists: Streets with protected bike lanes saw injury rates 90% lower per mile than streets with no bike infrastructure (PeopleForBikes, Streetsblog). Not 9%. Not 19%. Ninety percent.

  
  

• Safety for Everyone: New York City's protected bike lane on 9th Avenue led to a 56% reduction in injuries to all street users, including a 57% reduction in injuries to people on bikes and a 29% reduction in injuries to people walking (PeopleForBikes).

  
  

• Natural Traffic Calming: Protected bike lanes act as "calming mechanisms" on traffic. Bike facilities slow cars down. Even when a driver hits another driver, it's less likely to be a fatality because it's happening at a slower speed (ScienceDaily).

  
  

• More People Actually Riding: After New York City installed a protected bike lane on Columbus Avenue, bicycling increased 56% on weekdays while crashes decreased 34% and speeding decreased (PeopleForBikes). More riders, fewer crashes. That's the power of good design.

  
  

What This Means for the Mahoning Valley

Think about the routes you actually want to ride, walk, or jog. Kirk Road. Bears Den. The Canfield Road corridor leading into Mill Creek Park.

Now imagine those routes transformed with protected bike lanes, safe crossings, and infrastructure that treats cyclists and pedestrians like legitimate road users—not obstacles to be squeezed past.

When you're heading into Mill Creek Park on a beautiful morning—whether on an e-bike, jogging, or walking the dog—you shouldn't have to white-knuckle your way through traffic. You should be thinking about the ride ahead, the coffee you'll grab afterward, or simply enjoying the morning.

The Design Elements That Work

Here's what successful cities are implementing:

• Shorter, Safer Crossings: Curb extensions (bulb-outs) shorten the distance cyclists and pedestrians need to cross. Less time in the intersection means less risk for everyone on foot or bike.

  
  

• Real Physical Protection: Flexible bollards and clearly marked bike lanes create an actual barrier between riders and two-ton vehicles. Combined with high-visibility paint, riders stay seen and protected, while walkers get clearly defined, safer sidewalk space.

  
  

• Traffic That Actually Slows Down: When car lanes are narrowed strategically, drivers naturally slow down. It's not about punishment; it's about design that guides behavior. And slower speeds mean dramatically fewer crashes and far less severe injuries when incidents do occur—whether you're walking, cycling, or driving.

  
  

• Crystal-Clear Expectations: Green-painted bike areas and well-marked crosswalks eliminate confusion. Everyone knows where they should be and where to expect others. Cyclists stay off sidewalks. Pedestrians have safe crossing zones. Drivers know where to look. Ambiguity kills—clarity saves lives.

  
  

From Risk to Freedom

That's what proper infrastructure delivers: it transforms cycling from a risk calculation into simple transportation. Into recreation. Into freedom on two wheels. And it makes walking and jogging genuinely safe activities instead of nerve-wracking exercises in defensive navigation.

96% of people using protected bike lanes believe they increased safety on the street. 80% of people who live near a protected bike lane project believe it increased safety (PeopleForBikes). That's not bike advocates talking—that's everyday people, many of whom drive cars, recognizing that these improvements make their streets better for everyone.

When our streets keep people safe by design—not just by hope—riding an e-bike stops being something that requires bravery. Walking to the corner store stops feeling dangerous. Jogging along the road becomes pleasant instead of perilous. It all just becomes... an option. A good one.

And that's when everything changes. That's when people who've been telling us "I'd love to ride more, but..." or "I wish I could walk there, but..." finally can.

We want to hear from you: What's the riskiest intersection or stretch of road you deal with in your neighborhood—whether you're on a bike, on foot, or behind the wheel? Drop a comment below. The more we talk about these dangerous spots, the harder they become to ignore.

⚡ Because everyone deserves streets where two wheels means freedom, not fear—and two feet means the same.