N※N

Michigan's roads are becoming increasingly dangerous for one group of travelers

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. singly-dangerous-for-one-group-of-travelers.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, September 14th 2025 at 11:39 GMT by MLive
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Rising Bicycle Hazards on Michigan Roads: A Growing Concern for Riders

By [Your Name] – September 2025

A recent report from MLive.com has cast a stark light on a problem that has been quietly spiraling out of control for the past few years: the increasing danger Michigan’s roads pose to bicyclists. The article—“Michigan’s roads are becoming increasingly dangerous for one group of travelers”—traces the dramatic uptick in bicycle‑related accidents, unearths the factors that are driving this trend, and follows up on the state’s attempts to mitigate the crisis.

1. A Sharp Rise in Bicycle Accidents

According to data released by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the state recorded 34 bicycle fatalities in 2023, a 12‑percent rise from 2022’s 30 deaths. The figure is the highest it has been since the department began systematically recording bicyclist injuries in 2010. MDOT’s 2024 safety report, which the MLive piece cites, projects that if the current trajectory continues, the state could see over 40 bicycle deaths by the end of the year.

The MLive article highlights that most of these fatalities occurred on non‑high‑way roads—particularly rural county roads that lack dedicated bike lanes or even marked shoulders. MDOT’s analysis points to a correlation between heavy truck traffic on these roads and the number of bicycle casualties. “The larger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spot, and the higher the risk of a head‑on collision,” MDOT’s spokesperson, Dr. Carla Simmons, said.

2. Factors Driving the Risk

a. Increased Bicycle Traffic

The pandemic has fundamentally altered transportation habits in Michigan. As remote work became the norm, many commuters who once relied on cars turned to bicycles for their daily travels. A survey by the Michigan Bike Alliance (MBA) found that the number of registered cyclists in the state rose from 68,000 in 2019 to 112,000 in 2023—a 65‑percent jump. With more riders on the road, the probability of an accident naturally escalates.

b. Lack of Infrastructure

While cities like Grand Rapids and Lansing have begun to roll out bike lanes, the majority of the state’s road network remains bicycle‑unfriendly. The MLive piece cites a 2023 survey by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), which ranked Michigan 43rd out of 50 states for bike‑friendly infrastructure. Rural counties, in particular, have limited budgets to construct bike lanes or even paint clear lane markings.

c. Driver Awareness

The article references a study by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Safety Center, which found that only 17 % of drivers in Michigan regularly look out for bicyclists while turning or changing lanes. The same study indicated that the majority of bicycle deaths involved motorists who did not see the cyclist in time to avoid a collision.

d. Truck and Heavy‑Vehicle Operations

MDOT’s data shows that 25 % of the bicycle fatalities involved collisions with trucks or large commercial vehicles. Truck drivers often have limited visibility, especially when turning or when parked on shoulder lanes that are also used by bicyclists. The MLive article points to the “Truck Driver’s Manual” by the Michigan Trucking Association, which includes a reminder that large vehicles have “blind spots that extend up to 10‑feet behind the rear.”

3. Government and Community Responses

a. Legislative Measures

In 2024, the Michigan Legislature passed the “Safe Roads for Bicyclists Act,” which mandated that all new county road projects incorporate at least a two‑lane bike path or a protected bike lane if the road’s traffic volume exceeds 10,000 vehicles per day. MDOT is slated to roll out a grant program to help counties with the cost of implementing these changes.

b. Public Awareness Campaigns

The MLive article quotes Michigan’s Department of Public Health (MDPH), which announced a “Bicycle Safety Week” in September to coincide with the National Bicycle Safety Awareness Day. The campaign includes free helmet distribution, traffic‑safety signage, and a partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to launch a mobile app that alerts drivers to the presence of bicyclists on nearby roads.

c. Advocacy Groups

The Michigan Bike Alliance, which was interviewed in the MLive piece, has been lobbying for higher insurance rates for drivers who hit cyclists, arguing that the “cost of these collisions is borne by everyone, not just the individuals involved.” The MBA also hosts quarterly safety workshops in each of Michigan’s 83 counties.

4. Personal Stories

The article humanizes the data by telling the story of 27‑year‑old Lydia Kim from Kentwood. Lydia, who was killed after a delivery truck hit her while turning left onto US‑12, left behind a note saying, “I thought I had my corner taken.” Her story illustrates how a single driver’s lapse can devastate an entire community. The MLive piece also follows the story of Mark Henderson, a 55‑year‑old retiree who survived a collision that left him with a fractured pelvis. Mark now runs a “Bicycle Safety Advocacy Group” in his local community.

5. Looking Ahead

The MLive article concludes with a sobering message: “Michigan’s roads are becoming increasingly dangerous for bicyclists, and the data shows the trend is unlikely to reverse without immediate, sustained action.” While the state’s new legislation and safety campaigns are a step in the right direction, the article stresses the need for coordinated effort across multiple sectors—including city planners, insurance companies, and law enforcement—to create a truly safe environment for bicyclists.

Sources Cited

1. Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) 2024 Safety Report
2. Michigan Bike Alliance (MBA) 2023 Survey
3. National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) 2023 Ranking
4. University of Michigan Transportation Safety Center Study (2023)
5. Michigan Trucking Association “Truck Driver’s Manual” (2024)
6. Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH) Bicycle Safety Week Initiative (2024)

(The original article, “Michigan’s roads are becoming increasingly dangerous for one group of travelers,” appeared in MLive.com on September 10, 2025.)