“Share the Road” has long been the refrain of bike riders in Virginia Beach, VA. Now, a 3.5 mile bike lane along Shore Drive makes it easier for motorists to do just that.
Shore Drive has seen more than its fair share of serious accident involving cars, SUVs, pickup trucks and bicycles. During 2011, Virginia Beach saw 116 collisions involving motor vehicles and bikes. But it was the death of dedicated biker Daniel Wayne Hersh along Sore Drive on April 19, 2009, that led the city to seriously consider road safety for bicyclists. The fatal accident also prompted Hersh's family to join with the Virginia Bicycling Federation to create a memorial fund to promote bike safety education.
That tragic accident also contributed to the push to decrease the speed limit on a long stretch of Shore Drive from 45 mph to 35 mph. An eastbound bike lane opened on March 24, 2012, and a matching westbound lane is planned for summer 2013. The Virginia Bicycling Federation supported the effort with a $10,000 contribution.
Building bike lanes is crucial to making Virginia Beach a bike-friendly city for both competitive cyclists and leisure riders.
About the Editors: The Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm, which has offices in Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC), edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as pro bono services.
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