Robert Goldwater

Yes, in most states you can face charges for riding a bike under the influence. Statutes covering “any vehicle” include bicycles; those saying “motor vehicle” usually do not. That can bring fines, potential jail time, a criminal record, and in some states the loss of your license. Many people assume biking home is the responsible choice, but DUI...

In 2023, 1,155 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the United States, the highest recorded number and an 86% increase from the 2010 low point. Cyclists account for just 1% of all trips, yet they represent 2–3% of all motor-vehicle-related deaths. Most fatal bicycle crashes occur in urban areas, at non-intersection locations, and increasingly involve light trucks...

In 2025, Georgia recorded 31 bicycle fatalities, up from 23 cyclist deaths in 2023, according to the state’s live crash dashboard. In the most recent full statewide fact sheet, Georgia reported 921 bicycle crashes, 23 cyclist fatalities, and 140 serious or fatal injury crashes in 2023. These numbers show more than crash volume. They show where cyclist risk is concentrated,...

A pothole crash is a lonely one: no driver, no insurance card, just you, a bent rim, and a medical bill. You can still make a pothole claim against whoever owns that strip of pavement, usually a city, county, or state DOT, but the case is won or lost on proof of prior awareness. You must prove the pothole was a dangerous condition and that the entity knew about it, or...

Arizona remains one of the most dangerous states in the country for bicyclists, and its 37th-place ranking on the League of American Bicyclists’ 2024 Bicycle Friendly State Report Card reinforces that concern. In 2024, the Arizona Department of Transportation recorded 1,379 bicycle crashes statewide, the highest figure in five years and a 21% increase over 2023. About...

Every cyclist should know three essential bike hand signals. To go left, extend your left arm straight out to the side. For a right turn, point your right arm straight out, or raise the left one upward at a 90-degree angle. To signal a stop, lower it downward with your palm open and facing behind you. These universal gestures are recognized across all 50 states and should...

In 2025, bicyclist fatalities accounted for over 10% of all traffic deaths in New York City, nearly half of the state’s cycling deaths. Distracted driving remains the leading cause of severe bicycle accidents, followed by failure to yield the right-of-way and road user errors. The majority of fatal crashes involve common vehicles such as sedans and station wagons. In...

No federal law governs audio devices on a bicycle. Across most of the United States, riding with earbuds or earphones in both ears is entirely legal at the state level, and the headphone laws that do exist are set entirely by individual state codes. Where restrictions do exist, statutes generally focus on ear coverage rather than the device itself:
Statutory Silence...