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Why cyclists avoid the Neon to Nature bridge in Summerlin

On Behalf of | Dec 4, 2020 | Bike-Accidents |

Many times, when a bike injury leaves someone severely hurt, the fault for that injury falls squarely on the shoulders of someone in a motor vehicle. However, there are also dangerous infrastructure issues that can put people on bikes at risk of suffering severe injuries while biking for fun or commuting on their way to work.

Although the state of Nevada is proud of its recreational trails, like the local Neon to Nature trails, some of the infrastructure meant for public use isn’t safe for cyclists. Specifically, the bridge located at Town Center and the 215 in Summerlin has been a source of injury for many bikers in the past and could pose even more severe issues unless necessary changes in repairs get made.

What is so dangerous about this particular bridge?

The bridge in question has joint cracks intended to allow the bridge to shift as necessary during times of temperature fluctuations. Unfortunately, those cracks are just wide enough for bike tires to possibly slip into them. It’s obvious that this could cause severe injury to someone who falls off their bike, so the response was to fill those cracks with a special epoxy.

While the intention in doing so was good, many cyclists have found that the compound used to fill the cracks becomes dangerously slippery when hot. Some people have even compared hitting the epoxy-filled joints to slipping on a patch of ice while biking. Cyclists can lose control, fall off their bike and suffers severe injuries.

Cyclists have rights when hurt by bad infrastructure or dangerous driving

Drivers have an obligation to share the road safely with cyclists, and local community planners and construction professionals should take bike safety into consideration when designing, repairing or upgrading critical infrastructure.

If you get hurt on your bike because of a bad driver or dangerous infrastructure, such as slippery surfaces on a bridge or dangerously uneven sidewalk, you may have the right to take legal action to seek compensation.

Not only would such action help you by potentially connecting you with resources, but it may also compel either the driver or the party responsible for the infrastructure in question to change their habits and be safer in the future.