Everything A Cyclist Should Know About Medical Liens in a Bicycle Crash Case

Medical Liens in Your Bicycle Crash Case

Have you ever been asked whether or not you want the good or the bad news first? Often when it comes down to medical liens in your bicycle accident case there is only bad news and worse news with the occasional AWESOME news!

Lets break it down with some very basic info and examples. But first, every cyclist should know the bad news, the worse news, and the awesome news:

  1. Bad News: In general you will be dealing with multiple types of liens resulting from your bicycle accident case. Each type of lien has different rules and an experienced bicycle lawyer can help navigate this for you.
  2. Worse News: Valid liens must be paid prior to you or your attorney getting paid. If there are NO liens then you may be held responsible for paying the medical bills on your own.
  3. Awesome News: Some liens can be invalidated and therefore do not get paid. Typically all liens can be negotiated to lower amounts with an experienced bicycle lawyer.

Injured Cyclist Hypothetical Fact Pattern: So a cyclist is hit by a car and gets injured pretty badly. The cyclist is transported to the hospital via ambulance (or helicopter, etc.). The hospital treats the cyclist in the ER and then moves them upstairs for a few days where multiple surgeries take place. Upon discharge from the hospital the cyclist appropriately seeks treatment with his/her own doctors for chiropractic care, massages, physical therapy, and maybe even additional/follow up surgical procedures. Finally the treatment is done and your bicycle lawyer settled your case with the insurance company. What happens next?

Identify the Liens

Lets identify the liens in your case. If you are on Medicare then “congratulations” your liens are a difficult mess and must be handled carefully. There are lots of specific rules here that we won’t get into in order to keep things simple. Let me say this, Medicare has a special priority lien on a federal level. The good news is that they pay small contracted amounts to the medical providers and in Arizona the balance of that bill is off the table for collection and payment! In other words, there is no “balance billing” allowed and an experienced bicycle lawyer can get your Medicare lien reduced even further and the balance of your bill wiped away. The good news here is that when Medicare is involved they are typically the only lien holder (so long as they are the ones paying for all of the medical treatment).

If you are not on Medicare then you will be dealing with other types of liens. Of course, the transportation service (i.e. ambulance or helicopter, etc.) may have a lien as well. Some ambulance companies don’t lien at all, while others do. Either way lets break it down a bit further.

Starting with the hospitals and the doctors. A.R.S. 33-931 makes the business of liens in Arizona a statutory affair. 33-931 basically declares that any and all persons or companies providing medical treatment to you as an injured cyclist is entitled to place a lien on the proceeds of your settlement. Further, the lien granted by 33-931 extends to all claims of liability except health insurance and Underinsured or Uninsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM proceeds). So lets assume that the driver who hit you only has $15,000 of insurance coverage. As lame as that sounds that is actually a common issue in Arizona. But your medical bills are $175,000 ($100K in Hospital and Ambulance services + $75k in all other doctors) – all $175,000 has liens. You were smart and bought UM/UIM coverage under your automobile policy (And yes, UM/UIM auto insurance covers you on your bicycle so long as you are hit by a car!). Your UM/UIM is $250,000.

Is the Medical Lien Perfected?

The basic gist in this pretend scenario is that your bills of $175,000 may only be paid out of the $15,000 thanks to A.R.S. 33-931 and may not tap into the $250,000 UM/UIM. There are some notable exceptions, and of course the statutory reimbursement rights of medical providers just can’t be that easy. Lets review some of the rules pertaining to when medical liens are valid or invalid.

  1. The lien must be perfected or it is invalid. A.R.S. 33-932
    1. Among MANY other requirements (i.e. specific names, dates, amounts, etc.) there is a strict 30 day rule. The medical provider must record it’s lien within 30 days of providing the last treatment to you as the injured cyclist.
    2. Hospital & Ambulance Service Exception: the 30 day rule is waived and altered for hospitals and ambulances. They merely have to record the lien 30 days prior to the case settlement date or judgment payment date. A.R.S. 33-932(D).
  2. R.S. 33-931 & 33-932 Only applies to medical care providers and not to injured cyclist’s own health insurance, Medicare, or AHCCCS, etc. Health insurance liens are entirely different.

Medical LiensPerfecting a lien in AZ is tricky business. Lets get back to our story and highlight a few facts to better explain how this lien could go several ways. So now you have your settlement totaling $265K ($15K from the driver + $250K from your own UM/UIM insurance coverage). The hospital and ambulance liens are $100K and the other doctors are $75K. Lets assume that all of your medical providers strictly complied with the lien requirements and timely perfected their liens. In this example all $175K is only subject to the $15K with no balance billing to the UM/UIM. And any amounts wherein a lien was not timely filed would be subtracted from the $175 and declared invalid by your experienced bicycle lawyer.

Do I have to Reimburse my Health Insurance Because of a Subrogation Lien?

More common is the fact that your own health insurance is notified by the medical provider (and in some cases by you) that you are seeking treatment. This is a wise idea so that the Medical providers to bill you directly for the services they provide. Remember that lien or no lien you are responsible for paying for the medical services you receive. A lien simply makes a portion of those funds mandatory to pay before you get paid when the case settles.

If and when your health insurance pays the hospital for its services, there will be a balance created between the medical provider’s (hospital, doctor, etc.) bill/lien and the amount your health insurance actually paid. Your health insurance is entitled to reimbursement for the monies it paid out on your behalf when a 3rd party (i.e. the driver) is responsible for the bike crash. This is called a subrogation lien. Unlike the other liens we discussed so far, a subrogation lien can collect from the UM/UIM portion of the proceeds!

Subrogation liens are also tricky business as they are typically federal in nature and fall under the ERISA statutes. ERISA sec 502(a)(3)(b) grants a civil enforcement action – a.k.a. a reimbursement action for payment on medical services by your health insurance. There are a ton of complicated ERISA issues your attorney must understand before dealing with an ERISA lien including such things as whether or not the plan was self funded, etc. These variables may invalidate the subrogation lien your health insurance is claiming.

So in our little story if the $175K in liens totaled approximately $125K in subrogation liens (just a hypothetical) then your settlement of $265K can be tapped for the full amount of $175K since the subrogation liens apply to UM/UIM proceeds. Of course, an experience bicycle lawyer will negotiate those liens down for you and not just blindly pay them out. That way there is always more money for you the client – which goes right in your pocket. That is the awesome news!

If there are no valid subrogation liens, or your insurance company has not notified you and/or your attorney of a lien then you may cautiously proceed with settlement disbursement with appropriate waivers in place so long as you and your attorney understand the risks. If you or your attorney decide to inform your health insurance company that the treatment sought was due to a bicycle accident where a 3rd party (the at fault driver) is responsible for paying then you may open yourself up to adding a subrogation lien when arguably there may not have been one that existed until you notified them. Many attorneys advise their clients to proceed with notification of settlement to their health insurance company so as to not risk a lawsuit later to collect on an ERISA reimbursement (i.e. Subrogation lien).

What Do I Do if I Get Medical Bills in the Mail? How Will My Bills be Paid Until My Case Settles?

Surprisingly this happens often. Your choices are actually quite simple, perhaps not comfortable, but simple. You should understand first that the at fault driver’s insurance company could careless if you are getting billed by your doctors and hospitals. They will not pay these bills during your treatment and will only maybe pay them after your done seeing ALL of your doctors. So what happens to the bills you keep getting in the mean time? Just as in any other billing or collection effort, sadly you are initially responsible for handling your medical bills. Your options are:

  1. Pay them your self. Retain all receipts and submit them to your attorney who will argue for reimbursement of these expenses on your behalf as part of your case. This is unrealistic for most clients.
  2. Submit them to your health insurance and have them cover your expenses. This of course may result in a subrogation lien, but at least you are not initially out of pocket. Keep track of all your co-pays and deductibles as you are entitled to reimbursement of those expenses and costs as well.
  3. Contract with doctors who will work on a lien basis for you. In other words, the personal injury industry is well established and there are medical providers who see patients and hold off on their billing until your case settles. They then they get paid out of the proceeds of your settlement based on their liens they put in place. And, as is typical, their liens will most likely be negotiated.
  4. Apply for a loan against your projected personal injury settlement which you can then use for payment of your medical expenses. I have serious reservations about this option as the case is rarely so easy to determine value. Worse, your loan comes at a cost of interest, fess, etc. that these industry specific injury loan companies love to charge. Most often the loans are not easy to get either.
  5. Do nothing and go into collections. Bill collectors begin calling, and doing their thing. Eventually when you receive your settlement proceeds you can begin paying them.

Medical Liens in Your Bicycle Accident Case Conclusion

In conclusion, liens are a tricky business and best handled by an experienced bicycle lawyer. You may end up with Medicare liens, Medical Provider liens, subrogation liens, lien perfection and timing issues, and more. Be sure that the liens are fully dealt with prior to accepting any money in your case from your attorney. Insist that you see proof of payment and a balance sheet showing the total funds disbursed and to whom. Liens can bring bad news, worse news, and sometimes awesome news!

Arizona based bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

Legal EPO | What Every Cyclist Should Know About The Controversial Performance Boost.

What are the 3 most controversial letters in cycling? Without a doubt you can ask Lance Armstrong or his haters and get the same answer: EPO. Many in the cycling world want to credit Armstrong’s seven Tour de France titles to his blood doping habit and scandal with EPO. At the risk of sounding like I support Lance Armstrong in his decision to dope (which I can never do; doping is absolutely ridiculous) I truly feel like even if he wasn’t doping he would likely have still won those seven titles.

But what’s worse is that new research released hints that use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO – a.k.a. blood doping, EPO, etc.) in elite cyclists such as Armstrong isn’t likely to increase performance any ways. A new study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology conducted by some Dutch scientists confirms that EPO use among elite athletes has very little effect in performance if any effect at all.

So what does EPO do exactly? rHuEPO became an endurance athlete’s drug of choice after it was shown to increase red blood cell mass and exercise capacity in patients suffering from anemia from chronic kidney disease. This resulting boost to the oxygen uptake (VO2max) could help performance in endurance athletes.

Why is it likely that it didn’t help Lance Armstrong? The math concept behind EPO is plain enough: increased oxygen in your muscles = improved performance. Simply because an elite athlete is at a fitness level very different than that of a patient suffering with anemia from chronic kidney disease. Elite athletes already have such a high VO2max that EPO can only effect a small change in oxygen uptake therefore having a little effect on performance. It would be like trying to warm a bucket of cold water by adding a single drop of hot water.

The Dutch scientists found that the VO2max in elite athletes was already 50%-100% higher than those in normal healthy young people. Also, VO2max in elite athletes plateaus while performance continues to improve through other factors such as muscle capillary density muscle metabolic adaptations, efficient biomechanics, and more. So any increase in VO2max was of negligible performance gain.

DopingWhat’s worse? In fact, the Dutch found that using EPO carried significant and harmful side effects that could negatively effect an elite athlete’s performance such as Hypertension, Clots, and Inflammation. It would appear based on this research that elite athletes should shy away from EPO as the risks far outweigh any performance gain they can hope to achieve.

So what about those of us who are not elite like Lance Armstrong? The Dutch authors note that moderately trained athletes can improve performance through a variety of factors, including a boost to VO2max. So for those of you who are average cyclists and want to get faster EPO may work very well for you.

Wait, but I thought EPO was illegal? It is. Doping is definitely illegal. There are legal EPO style of supplements that can help boost your cycling performance. One my personal favorites is beet juice. That is right. Nitrate free beets are natures very own EPO drug! A study showed that cyclists drinking a half liter of beetroot juice prior to cycling exercise made them 3% faster and increased their power output as well as their ratio of power output to oxygen expenditure. Great news except beet juice can taste awful or the amount of beets you have to have on hand to take it daily can be crazy expensive. Fortunately there are many products on the market that have concentrated forms of beet juice, or beet juice powder. I personally like BeetElite carried in some local bicycle shops or widely available online.

Even more controversial is the new supplement out in the market called EPO-BOOST®. Meant to be taken daily and intentionally derived from the controversial cycling drug lingo “EPO”, this supplement claims to increase your naturally occurring EPO by 90% compared to their own study with a placebo group. A quick Google search of the product and you will see many athletes taking it and swearing by it. It is heavily marketed in the various cycling magazines and circles. All ingredients are in strict compliance with WADA, UCI, IOC, and NCAA rules thereby allowing athletes to pass drug testing.

Of course, the potency of this legal product EPO-BOOST® must inevitably be less than the illegal Lance Armstrong blood doping sort used in the Tour de France. And yet the same risks involved with EPO use are surely present as well as the same analysis for elite athletes.

I’m left to conclude that:

  1. Lance Armstrong would likely have won seven titles anyways.
  2. Illegal EPO use is not worth the risks for the marginal and very questionable performance gains.
  3. And finally, that for those of us who are not as elite as Lance Armstrong our performance can most certainly be improved in lots of ways that don’t include want-a-be EPO products but focus instead on disciplined training and eating habits. But for the heck of it we may actually see a boost in our performance from Beet Juice or products like EPO-BOOST®.

Arizona based bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

Texting While Driving is MORE Dangerous than Drinking & Driving

Did you know that according to the National Safety Council, texting while driving causes 1.6 million accidents per year?! And just think, that is only the accidents where someone actually reported texting. What about all of those accidents where a driver was distracted but never admits to texting? I’d guess that it would easily be double or more if accurately reported. Additionally, the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis Study found that 330,000 people were reported to be injured due to an accident involving a driver who was texting. And nearly 25% of all car accidents are caused by texting and driving. This is becoming a huge problem. I know I have to consciously think about not texting and driving. It literally takes restraint and self discipline. I often find myself in my truck driving down the road and I realize that in the quiet moments of driving I suddenly remember a ton of things I should be doing, people I should be following up with, etc. and the desire to shoot out a quick text is almost always present. It is simply not worth it. Lets all try and be less distracted, more focused, and more aware of bicycles while we are driving.

A cool info graphic with some pretty potent statistics about driving while texting; also nick named driving while intexticated, was published in 2012 by Kristin Marino. I loved it enough to republish it here with permission. I love how she states that once we understand how risky this behavior is we will realize that an OMG or LOL is never worth the risk while driving.

DWI: Driving While Intexticated
Originally published by and Courtesy of: http://www.onlineschools.com

Arizona based bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

Funny James Corden Bike Lane Video & “Rich Old White Ladies”

Bicycle lanes are one of the incredibly important areas of the law that provides safety to cyclists. Many cyclists and concerned citizens are actively involved in their cities to try and get more bike lanes approved. Yet, in the city of Coronado there is a public group that went to town hall to fight the addition of more bike lanes. As if that is not a shame in and of it self, check out their reasons why more bike lanes in the city are bad. Then check out the comedian James Corden from the Late Late Show who does a great job of pointing out how absurd it is!

Their reasons:

  1. “We are covering Coronado with paint stripe pollution.”
  2. “The graffiti on the streets does not help our property values.” She seriously called bike lanes graffiti.
  3. “It brings to mind a visual cacophany that looks like, if you look there long enough, that it can induce a dizzying type of vertigo.” WOW! That is a mouthful. By the way a cacophany is: a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
  4. “For me its very similar to personally taking all three of my daughters to a tattoo parlor and having them completely body tattooed.” WHAT?! Hilarious.
  5. And from the mayor: “What the public wants they should get.”

The comedian points out that these people are trying to make a HUGE problem out of something that is really pretty absurd. He calls them “rich old white ladies.” Makes me wonder how much time they have if they can come together and try and argue that bike lanes are as offensive as tattoos, or are making people dizzy when you look at them, or are no better than graffiti, etc. That is just crazy.

Although a hilarious stand up act, it does highlight the problem we often face when trying to get new bicycle legislation. Alas, for your viewing pleasure:

 

Arizona based bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

Bicycle Insurance – Why You Shouldn’t Leave Home Without It!

Ride Smart. Ride Safe. Ride Insured.

So you own a car worth $5,000 or more and that puppy is insured for sure. You own a bicycle for $2,500 or more (in most cases a lot more!), and you realize that you may even spend more time on your bike than you do driving your car. You realize that you might actually be at more risk and in more danger riding your bicycle than you are driving your car. Yet you don’t have bicycle insurance! This just doesn’t make any sense. There are over 2,000 reported bicycle accidents per year in just Arizona! Yes, that is reported accidents that involve a motor vehicle. What happens when you crash your bike – and there is no car involved, or the car drove off, or the driver doesn’t carry any/enough insurance? Who will pay to replace or repair it? Who will pay your medical bills? What happens if your bicycle is stolen? Who will pay for your new bike then? What about roadside assistance on your long rides? Who will pay for that? EXACTLY my point – bicycle insurance should be a must have for every cyclist and would cover you in all of these circumstances. Typically the cost of the insurance is cheap and can be just a couple hundred dollars per year!

Bicycle Race Accident

There are lots of bicycle wrecks each year that do not involve an at fault driver. There are lots of bicycle thefts each year as well. The accident can even be your fault and potentially you may still be covered. Most of us ride bicycles that worth well over $5,000; especially when you add nice wheels, shoes, helmet, lights, a Garmin computer, clothing, etc. Why the heck wouldn’t you want that insured in case of theft or accident? I know I would. I have all of my bikes insured and have actually had to use the policy as well. So glad I had the insurance when my bike was stolen!

Imagine that one day your riding along with your friends on a little group ride and you are enjoying every second of it when suddenly a cyclist in front of you or beside you decides to swerve to avoid a pot hole, or some road debris (or really anything you can imagine) and you wreck. You end up in the hospital and your bike is totaled. IF YOU HAD BIKE INSURANCE you wouldn’t have to worry about buying that new bike or even having to pay for all or any of your medical expenses. Imagine you go down in a criterium race or any other event including a MTB race or road race, or even a triathlon. With insurance your bike and your medical bills would be covered. How about a stolen bike or even a bike damaged during transportation to and from an event/ride? Again, your bicycle insurance would cover it.

There three major bicycle insurance companies doing business in the U.S. They are Velosurance, Big Ring Insurance, and Spoke Insurance. All three of them offer virtually the same style of coverage plans and options. Velosurance is underwritten by Markel and is therefore my personal top choice. Markel is a very large, well respected, and “A” rated insurance company in the U.S. I feel more secure knowing their long history and happily endorse them.

Here is a typical bicycle insurance coverage summary (this one from Velosurance):

Policy Coverage Home Owner Policy Renters Policy
Insured at Full Value Possibly Possibly Yes
Crash Damage No No Yes
Theft Coverage Limited Limited Yes
Theft Away From Home Possibly Possibly Yes
Vehicle Contact No No Yes
Personal Liability Possibly Possibly Yes
Replacement Bike Rental No No Yes
Event Fee Return No No Yes
Cycling Apparel Insured No No Yes
Medical Payments Possibly Possibly Yes
Racing Coverage No No Yes
Electric Assist Bicycles No No Yes
Bicycle Airline Shipping Coverage No No Yes

Here is a summary from Spoke insurance:

Bicycle Policy Coverage SPOKE Homeowners Renters Auto
Theft – From Home ✓ ✓ ✓ X
Theft – Away From Home ✓ ✓ ✓ X
Damage ✓ X X X
Liability ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Motor Vehicle Contact Protection ✓ X X ✓
Uninsured Motorist ✓ X X ✓
Hit and Run ✓ X X ✓
Medical Payments ✓ X X ✓
Racing Coverage ✓ X X X
Rental Reimbursement ✓ X X X
Accessories ✓ ✓ ✓ X
Roadside Assistance ✓ X X X
Free Partner Tow ✓ X X X
Electric Bicycles ✓ X X X
No Loss Renewal Discount ✓ X X X

Both coverage summaries are pretty identical and very typical. I recommend getting quotes from each of the companies and then comparing value, client experience, etc. to help make your final decision. At the end of the day the best advice I could give you is: buy as much insurance as you can afford! UIM/UM coverage on your auto policy along with an umbrella should ABSOLUTELY be a must. Bicycle insurance a no brainer. Again, buy as much as you can afford. It only takes one wreck to change your life for ever. Riding smart and safe while out on your bike would definitely include riding with insurance in my opinion.

The links to the three insurance companies are here:

velosurance logo

spoke-logo-sml

big ring logo

Arizona based bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

LOTOJA 2015 Race Report

Lotoja 2015 - Team Meeting and Race Prep Night before the race at our hotel
Lotoja 2015 – Team Meeting and Race Prep Night before the race at our hotel

LOTOJA 2015 was an epic event. I knew I was in trouble when 4 days prior to the race my throat started to get sore and my nose started getting stuffy. A 204 mile race across 3 states is potentially hard enough, but with the head cold coming on I admit I began to feel a bit of fear. The best part is that on race day morning I could have auditioned for a bass solo in any choir or singing group in the world and would have been an easy shoe in! That is how bad my head/chest cold had become, hitting its peak on the day of the race.

LOTOJA Cat 5 Male Team Just before start. Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team members left to right:
LOTOJA Cat 5 Male Team Just before start. Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team members left to right: Matt Woods, Ben Dodge, Robert Riding, Scott Wayment, Darric Wright, Dean Lewis, and Richard Farabee.

Luckily my coach, teammates, and friends offered endless suggestions of good home style remedies to stave off the cold. While I am convinced out of personal experience that these suggestions did NOT stave off the cold they may very well have kept it somewhat at bay. At the very least I knew that if I did everything in my power to fend off the head cold I would at least have a mental advantage that given the circumstances I was still putting my best foot forward on race day… even if that foot was sort of dragging along!  So I found myself  pumped full of all sorts of over the counter medications to help with the cold. I was taking dissolving zinc tablets, Emergen-C, Kombucha pro-biotic drinks, Sudafed non drowsy, Mucinex pm, vitamin c tablets, NyQuil, and even two nights before the race a friendly waiter offered me his special vitamin drink he takes daily called Vibe. He mixed some up for me and sent me to the hotel with two days worth; what a nice guy. The point is that I literally did everything I could d to no avail I was sicker than ever the day of the race. BUT I had the mental confidence that I at least had done everything I could have and that made all the difference.

A 204 mile race was going to be a sufferfest anyways, so what difference would it really make if I felt crappy? Either way I figured that at the end of the day I would be happy to be off the bike just the same. So off to the start line I went. A few of us teammates got together and snapped a quick pic in the parking lot and then pedaled around for a quick warm up around the block.

LOTOJA Start LineAt the start line our team lined up in the front of our corral and anxiously awaited the count down. We had a full regiment of 8 cyclists racing in the Category 5 event, 2 cyclists in the Female Cat 4 event, and 1 cyclist in the Men’s Cat 5 55+ event. I nearly forgot that my garmin was off so I quickly turned it on as we were pulling away and I noticed that the screen was set to a screen that I never use on race day. I kept trying to get it to switch over to the correct screen for the 1st 1/2 mile or so of the race and then realized that my full fingered gloves were getting in the way. Not wanting to waste anymore time I just settled with the screen it was on and pressed start. I thought: “all I really need is my cadence, heart rate, elapsed time, and average speed.” Since those fields were already on display I just rolled with what I had and figured that I would check later for all the other data such as 3s power, avg power, NP, and more.

LOTOJA Start Line
Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team at the Front

For the first few miles of the race behind the pace car and beyond our team sat the front and controlled the pace. I sat there thinking to myself, that my coach would be absolutely angry with me if she knew I was sitting on the front. All she ever said was to stay off the front and just sit in. But there I was, sitting at the front for the first several miles. After the pace car pulled away we were still at the front but I was strict about keeping my heart rate in my aerobic zone. I figured if I were to sit at the front then I will at least stay aerobic. “If someone else wanted to go faster then they could just go around me and I’ll draft off of them” I said to myself. I was surprised at how long we sat there keeping a steady 20mph pace with no one wanting to pull. I figured, what the heck – we can do this all day. At one point I recall riding two abreast alongside my teammate Richard Farabee at the very front of the peleton. I leaned over to him and said, “Hey Richard – in this very moment of the race we are winning!” We both laughed. We settled in and ignored the grumblings from behind where other cyclists were heckling us for the slow pace. All I kept saying to myself was: “If you want to go faster then you can pull.” Eventually a pair of cyclists jumped up there and started pulling and the pace picked up to about 22mph for a few miles and I happily drafted alongside my teammates still in my aerobic zone.

Bike Accident Attorneys Women’s Racing Team Members: Rhonda Meyers and Jodi Lewis at the start line.

After about 8-10 miles I realized that in all of my excitement I had forgotten to take a leak before the race. I was very well hydrated and really needed to relieve myself. My bladder started to hurt and I became very uncomfortable. At bout mile 15-18 I decided that I couldn’t hold it anymore and that I was just going to have to resign myself to peeing in my bibs while riding. I thought this would be absolutely terrible to the saddle sore scenario I had already been nursing, but didn’t have any other option. Right then another cyclist came riding alongside the peleton and asked if anyone else needed to pee and asked if we wanted to negotiate a “pee stop” where we all agree to stop and pee. I JUMPED ON THIS opportunity and exclaimed “I’m in! Great idea! Lets do it now!” In seconds lots of others all jumped on board with the idea and we found ourselves alongside a farm road all straddling our bikes and peeing. A few of the front of the peleton kept cycling. And others just passed us on by. Yet there was at least 25-35 cyclists who stopped and peed. I was so happy and relieved. Then we jumped back on and began the work to catch the leaders. In about 1.5-2 miles we got them all reeled in and became a unified peleton again.

Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team Truck loaded for LOTOJA 2015
Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team Truck loaded for LOTOJA 2015

After winding through some beautiful farm lands and rural towns we started climbing. The heart rates of many of us slowly started rising and the “cold” morning start soon became warm. I chose only to wear my full fingered gloves. I didn’t wear any other cold weather gear and was VERY happy with that decision. While others were trying to peel off cold weather layers I was comfortable and thought this is perfect weather. A wiser cyclist than me once said that you should never start a ride just right, but rather start a cold weather ride just a bit chilly because your body temperature will warm you up as you get going. True to form, after pedaling a few miles on the chilly side I was warm enough to be comfortable while others were wasting precious energy sweating out valuable salt that could have been spared for later in such a long day. Besides, I didn’t have to waste any time or energy stripping arm warmers or leg warmers off. I was quite happy with my gear decision.

Spare Wheels
Team Truck Loaded With Spare Wheels

The first major climb was known as the Strawberry climb. It began roughly at mile 30 and lasted approximately through mile 57. The main group began to break up on this climb. The temperature heated up and everyone started shedding layers. I was happy that I had not added any extra layers and was able to ride at a comfortable temperature. Of course, the day was really just beginning and the hot temperatures would just continue to rise.

Towards the top of this climb we reached our first neutral feed zone. The neutral feed zones were very chaotic. You just roll up and find a spot to squeeze into to get your bottles refilled. There wasn’t a lot of organization at that first feed zone due to the sheer volume of cyclists that were bombarding it while I was there. You almost fought your way to a spot to get water and then quickly rolled on! The nutrition support at the neutral feed zones was very limited and really only designed for water refills or port-a-john stops.

Ben Dodge Bicycle Lawyer - LOTOJA 2015 Strawberry Climb
Ben Dodge Bicycle Lawyer – LOTOJA 2015 Strawberry Climb

The next part of the race was by far my favorite. The descent down Strawberry was very fast and even a bit curvy. I had been practicing some down hill techniques and was all too eager to employ them on this long descent. If I remember correctly the descent was roughly 8-9 miles and at some points pretty steep. I pedaled hard for a few yards and then sat down on my down tube in an aero position and just went for it. I reached speeds of approximately 55mph having to break to make turns. I was going so fast that the other cyclists I rode by seemed to just fly by. No one was even able to draft off of me on this descent. While I am quite sure that there are plenty of really good cyclists that could have easily drafted off of me, I am convinced that they were all ahead of me at this point of the race. So I just blasted downhill and caught a quick group of cyclists to attach to. I was very happy to discover that my teammate Richard Farabee was in this group I caught up to. I joined in and we pressed forward to Mont Pilier.

Feed Zone 1 - Mont Pilier
Feed Zone 1 – Mont Pilier. Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team members left to right: Scott Wayment, Matt Woods.

The Mont Pilier feed zone was roughly at about mile 75. This was our first feed zone where we could have our support crew present to provide some nutrition, etc. My fuel strategy really consisted of almost entirely Carbo Rocket, a bit of Coke, and a bite of a PB&J. This enabled me to swap bottles quickly and roll out of every feed zone in 1-2 minutes. It was awesome to see the enthusiasm of the feed zones. Cyclists were cruising in and out as quickly as possible while the support crews were thronging the sidelines jammed pack like sardines waiting for their team to roll in. Our crew was amazing and consisted of many family members and friends. They did a fantastic job and this race was truly impossible without good support. I know several people that participated without support crews but it becomes inefficient and slower. Not to mention that seeing a friendly face cheering your name does wonders for your heart and soul on such a long day!

Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team Member Darric Wright taking a breather from the hot weather at a feed zone.
Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team Member Darric Wright taking a breather from the hot weather at a feed zone.

The 2nd of the 3 major climbs would quickly come after the Mont Pilier feed zone, and was known as the Salt River Climb and was the KOM/QOM climb. It was roughly 30 miles to the top of the Salt River climb from our last feed zone. At the top of this climb we would hit our 2nd neutral feed zone. But the climb up to there would be brutal. From Mont Pilier we would do a short climb for a few miles that was a decent grade for several miles (8-10). Then we would descend quickly again for few miles before we would start a slow grade climb eventually up to a 3-5 mile steep climb for the KOM/QOM challenge up to the top of the Salt River pass. By this time of the race the temperatures were getting hotter every hour. It was on this climb that I fell off the pack and watched my teammate pull away from me. My chest and head cold was getting the better of me and I felt it. A few miles before the KOM climb I crashed into the back of another cyclist on an uphill section of the race. I was coughing so hard for so long I blacked out for a split second and ran into a slower cyclist just ahead of me. Fortunately he was OK and stayed upright. I too was OK and sustained no damage to my bike. However, I did go down and picked up a little raspberry on my knee and overall felt a bit dejected and just out of all energy. I picked up my bike as my teammate circled back to check on me. With whatever integrity I had left I got back on and kept pedaling. I later caught the cyclist I ran into and apologized profusely for hitting him. He was understanding and we rode on.

After a short potty break at the top of the Salt River Pass (KOM/QOM Hill) I sped down hill again. The Salt River pass neutral feed zone came at about mile 106 and basically marked the half way point. From here on out until the finish line it seemed there was a strong head or cross wind that always accompanied us. My descent was again a solo effort. It would be roughly 20-25 miles until our next feed zone in Afton where our support crew could provide us much needed nutrition and replacement bottles. I finally caught another small group of 2-3 cyclists about 8-10 miles from Afton. We worked together and picked up a few other stragglers along the way until we built a descent sized pack. We all took turns in the wind.

LOTOJA 2015 - Ben Dodge, Stretch between Afton and Alpine
LOTOJA 2015 – Ben Dodge, Stretch between Salt River and Afton

In Afton (approximately 122-125 miles in) I could hardly breathe and speak. My head cold had definitely become a chest cold. I grabbed some much needed water bottles and fuel and rolled on. I rolled out solo and got picked up a by a fast paced group. I happily hung on for a few miles until I could recover enough to take my turn up front in the wind. It was this stretch to Alpine where the wind felt the worst to me. After a while our pack of about 15 cyclist dropped to about 4 of us as we left everyone else scattered behind us. We added to our numbers here and there ended up rolling into Alpine (approximately mile 155 of the race) with a group of 8-10 pretty solid riders. Before getting into Alpine I struggled breathing, coughing, and just overall feeling like total garbage.

The feed zone in Alpine would be the last feed zone where we would have access to our support crew making 3 total supported feed zones and 3 total neutral feed zones. The pack of cyclists that formed leading into Alpine all agreed and negotiated a 30 second feed zone stop before meeting at the end of the feed zone to finish out the race together helping each other all the way to the finish. I was very excited about that prospect because they were in fact strong riders and getting in a pace line with them would be very helpful for me, especially due to my overall decline in wellness and health. As I rolled into the Alpine feed zone I was at a low point of the race and rushed for time. My parents and a good friend were volunteering at this aid station. They must not have expected us to arrive so quickly as they were a bit unprepared for our arrival. I was handed a bottle of powder not yet mixed. I admit I may not have been my most pleasant self in that moment and I yelled a bit asking for it to be mixed. Oops. I still feel bad about that because all in all our crew was amazing! The short story is that I lost my fast pack of cyclists as my stop in this feed zone was simply too long. They had rolled out without me. But honestly, I admit that I would have lost them anyways as my wellness significantly declined within minutes of the Alpine feed zone.

After rolling out of Alpine I began dry heaving a ton. Even pulling over to vomit several times only to learn that nothing would come up. Worse, I lost my ability to shift into my big chain ring! This really upset me as it was a problem I thought was adequately addressed before the race. But alas, it was not fixed as I had hoped and the last 50-60 miles of the race I had to do in my small chain ring. My cable was too loose and nothing on the fly out on the course would fix that. I just spun a higher cadence and elevated my HR a bit to do so. A frustrating experience to be sure, especially since the climbing in this course was finished and the last 50-60 miles would be rollers or flat all the way to the finish line.

Ben Dodge the Bike Lawyer just after the Alpine feed zone at about mile 165
Ben Dodge the Bike Lawyer just after the Alpine feed zone at about mile 165

I did parts of this next section solo as I constantly stopped to check on my chain ring, manually shift it into the big ring only for it to shift back after a few pedal strokes, dry heaving etc. A kind older gentleman in a black and yellow kit with a big GSC logo on the front offered to help me out. Sadly nothing worked and I was stuck with only my small chain ring. I rode with him for a while (pictured above) and then eventually I just settled in to a good rhythm and pedaled my way to the 3rd and final neutral feed zone in Hoback (mile 180-ish). I stopped for a moment in this feed zone and filled my water bottles and tagged along in the back of a corporate group of cyclists who were all riding together. After riding with them for a bit and recovering just a bit I broke away with 3 other cyclists on some of the smaller climbs leading out of Hoback. The group we were all sitting in on was going just a bit too slow. Picking up the pace and forming a small break away group was a good idea. The 4 of us would eventually ride the remainder of the race together taking turns in the wind. I of course still only had my small chain ring, but I was happy to be with them and not solo. The final 10 miles or so were the longest of the race. They were not difficult miles, just long as everyone is ready to be done with the day and get off the bike! Finally we saw the finish line and our spirits picked up.

I finished 11th in our category of about 60 cyclists with a first year finish time of 10:21. My Teammate Richard Farabee and I rode most of the first half of the race together, and he finished 8th in our category at 10:04. It was an incredibly cool day. I loved the race and LOTOJA will be for ever a favorite course and event of mine. I hope to go year after year.

Ben Dodge - Bicycle Attorney LOTOJA 2015 Finish Line
Ben Dodge – Bicycle Attorney LOTOJA 2015 Finish Line

 

LOTOJA Finish Line 2015. Left to Right: Ben Dodge, Dean Lewis, Matt Woods.
LOTOJA Finish Line 2015. Left to Right: Ben Dodge, Dean Lewis, Matt Woods.

Arizona based bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

How to Avoid and Treat Saddle Sores: The Love Nugget

It wasn’t until we were on our way back home from this 135 mile ride that I realized what I had so idiotically forgotten… chamois cream! How on earth could I forget such a basic ingredient to success for a long hot ride in the Arizona summer? A few of my friends and teammates are training for the longest single day USA Cycling sanctioned race in America. It is called LOTOJA. It is a 200+ mile race from Logan Utah to Jackson Wyoming and is literally in just a few weeks (September). This means that the bulk of our training rides are done in the Arizona summer heat. It’s fine by me, I hate the cold. I’d rather sweat than freeze to death. I am by far a desert rat and have come to love it. With this climate however, “hot spots” in your chamois or your feet, or anywhere else for that matter, become a common problem. Yet, saddle sores are something we can absolutely prevent and/or quickly treat.

My alarm went off at 1:55am Saturday morning. It felt like I haven’t even slept. Stumbling around the room trying to avoid waking up my wife and kids, I finally grab my bibs, heart rate monitor, jersey, socks, and cycling cap. Surely “I’m not forgetting anything” I thought as I have done these long training rides hundreds of times before. I quickly eat a bit for breakfast, grab my frozen water bottles I had prepared from the night before and head out to meet my crazy friends who were joining me on this ride. The ride was about 70 miles out to Globe Arizona from Gilbert Arizona, and then we would turn around and bike back. After all, we have a 200+ mile race in a few weeks we have been training for (LOTOJA).

The Globe training ride was truly epic with beautiful mountains, wild flowers, and very good climbing opportunities that presented exciting descents! We made great time and all felt pretty good. The only reason we started so early is because it is so dang hot here in August in Arizona that an early start time for a long ride in the summer is simply mandatory. Plus, we all have families and we need to be back home for Saturday soccer practice, etc. While we were cycling back home it suddenly came to me: “I forgot chamois cream”. Why did it suddenly come to me? Because I developed a saddle sore the size, depth, and hardness of a freaking golf ball! In fact, it was so giant that my cycling buddies nick named it “The Love Nugget.” Every pedal stroke began to hurt something fierce. I kept telling myself that I was the biggest idiot out there for not using chamois cream on a long ride; especially when the bibs and jersey I had chosen to wear was brand new. Seriously? What am I, some sort of rookie all of the sudden? This is BASIC CYCLING 101 and I had failed in a big way. Rookie mistake. I felt like a total idiot. It led me to think about my teammates and all the other cyclists who bike day in and day out here in Arizona. I wondered how many of them get saddle sores? How many are experienced cyclists vs. newbies? I started asking around. This is what I learned on how to avoid and how to treat a saddle sore:

How to Avoid and How to Treat Saddle Sores (Love Nuggets)

  1. It Just Happens. First and foremost it just happens sometimes to the best of us regardless of the techniques used below to avoid them. You should know that even the bravest and most experienced professional cyclists get saddle sores. Sometimes they just happen because we ride that often and treating them immediately is absolutely the most important thing you can do.
  2. Bike Fit: A proper and professional bike fit will go a long way in preventing saddle sores. Often cyclists who have been cycling a long time feel they can just eye ball a fit for their friends and call it good. Even just 1 millimeter off in saddle height, saddle angle, saddle forward and rearward positioning, or reach, stack height, etc. can all DRAMATICALLY affect your comfort level, power output and YES your proneness to getting a saddle sore. See a professional AND an experienced bike fitter for a proper fit of your bike. This is by far the most important 1st step in preventing saddle sores. A bike fit is not just for the pros, it is for everyone who wants to prevent lower back pain, shoulder pain, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, and of course: saddle sores.
  3. Sitz Bones
    Sitz Bones

    Correct Saddle: Make sure you have the correct saddle. Every one of us has a different physiological makeup of how we sit, and pedal. The best saddle on earth for me is likely not the best saddle for you. It is probable that you and I have different rear ends and pedal styles. One of the most common issues with uncomfortable saddles and/or saddle sores is that of our sitz bones. The sitz bones are the bones that actually rest and make contact on the saddle. The size and spacing of the sitz bones are unique to each of us. Men and women differ greatly in this area as well. Many saddles for women are made specifically based on the difference in sitz bones from that of male cyclists. You should try out as many different saddles as possible until you find one that works for your unique physiological make up in sitz bones and pedal stroke. With the massive variety in saddles you can imagine that the slight variations amongst the many manufacturers can have a huge impact for you. Try them out. Get a feel for what feels good and works best for you. Make sure to ride on the saddle for a while to determine if it really works for you. There are some bicycle shops that are offering a sort of saddle rotation service so you can demo different saddles for weeks at a time. These shops usually require a small deposit then you have access to all of their saddles until you find one that you like. Here in Arizona I am aware of a local bike shop offering such a service: Two Wheel Jones at the Gilbert location.

  4. Chamois Cream: Some say that suing chamois cream is not necessary if you have the proper saddle and are appropriately and professional fit to your bike. I tend to agree with those folks. However, as I just experienced, when riding long distances in the extreme heat with a brand new pair of bibs – chamois cream would have been a great idea and could have made the difference for me when breaking in the new chamois in these bibs. Chamois cream reduces the amount of friction you experience from pedaling and sitting on the saddle. Many cyclists I know use chamois cream every ride and not just on hot or long days. There is little question that reducing the friction will also reduce your chances of a saddle sore. So err on the side of caution and lube up! I like DZ Nutz. Caution: if you already have a saddle sore, apply copious amounts of chamois cream may ease the pain and discomfort of the ride – but may also increase the infection of an open sore. Be careful.
  5. Keep Clean: Pretty disgusting when you realize that a saddle sore is really just a bacteria sort of issue from skin irritation, etc. They end up looking like zits essentially that you can pop. Or they become abscesses that need to be lanced and drained. Saddle sores will always be formed in those areas in contact with your seat. This is not a good time to post any pictures! Saddle sores are disgusting and are located in very sensitive and painful areas. One way to prevent and treat them is to keep clean! There is no reason to finish a ride and then hang out in your cycling shorts/bibs. Get that nasty chamois off! The sweat and grime that is going on in there is not helping prevent, reduce or treat your saddles sores. Especially for you female cyclists, my coach is a U.S. Women’s Pro cyclist and she often says that the worst thing you can do is stay in your chamois; with all of that yeast and heat and sweat and grime “it’s like your baking bread down there and a french roll is just going to pop out any second!” She cracks me up, and is an excellent coach – I think she knows what she is saying and I will leave it at that for your female cyclists.  Enough said. Stay clean, get out of that nasty chamois and get washed off. There is no reason or “cool factor” to hang out in your bibs. Gross.
  6. Wear Proper Clothing: Not wearing the proper attire while cycling will almost assuredly guarantee you a saddle sore. Can you imagine for 1 second a cyclist strolling down in some cut off Levis? I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. Some folks may balk or poke fun at all the Lycra we wear, but the breathe-ability of the fabrics, the fact that cycling shorts/bibs have chamois pads, etc. are all designed for lots of reasons. One of which is to provide maximum comfort and reduce saddle sores. P.s. NEVER wear dirty cycling shorts. Dirty apparel is especially ripe for causing bacterial infection and saddle sores. Also, it is just socially irresponsible if in a group ride: stinky.
  7. Change Position: Often if you feel a saddle sore coming on it is already too late. However, a cyclist can reduce the risk of saddle sores by manipulating his/her position on the bike. Try standing up every couple of minutes for just a few short seconds. Try shifting your seated position a bit to be more forward and then more rearward on the saddle. These techniques can help if you are riding with a saddle sore and can also help prevent getting one. Also, they shake the legs out a bit and allow you as a cyclist to burden other parts of your pedal stroke for a moment and provide relief to your fatigued legs.
  8. TREATING a Saddle Sore:
    1. Rule #1 is rest it and treat it immediately! Do not continue riding or ignore the saddle sore as they definitely get worse. A few days off now is better than a few weeks off later because you kept riding. Get off the bike and rest that Love Nugget.
    2. Dr. Matt Woods
      Dr. Matt Woods

      Rule #2 is medicate it. The saddle sore itself is an inflamed and possible infected skin abrasion. Medicate it. There are lots of over the counter medications that cyclist have claimed over the years have helped because of their local anesthetic, local antiseptic, local anti-microbial, counter irritant, and swelling reduction properties. Try out these saddle sore remedies: Noxema, Vagisil (yes for men too), Preparation H (again , not for hemorrhoids but to reduce swelling and shrink the saddle sore), Tea Tree oil, Acne Gel/Cream (something that is 10% or more benzoyl peroxide). If the saddle sore is getting too far out of control then see your doctor or even better a dermatologist who can prescribe a round of antibiotics and/or provide a cortisone shot to the infected area. With a 200+ mile race in just 1.5 weeks I went and saw my dear friend Dr. Matt Woods of Desert Sky Dermatology and Surgical Center. He happens to me on my racing team, a great cyclist and a stand up doctor. He took a quick look at it and provided a simple cortisone shot right in the heart of the beast. The next morning the “Love Nugget” was officially 3/4 the size the day before. That was worth all of the gold in California! I couldn’t say enough good about that experience, because just that morning I had been on a ride where literally every pedal stroke was a stroke of pain.

I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that any distraction to us as a cyclist is a possible factor in causing a bicycle crash. Make sure to take care of your saddle sores, and take the necessary steps to prevent them so you can ride distraction free. I can tell you that recently I have hated every pedal stroke and grimaced in pain far too often from my saddle sore.

-Best regards,

Ben Dodge, the Bicycle Lawyer

 

Arizona bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

Ben L. Dodge

The Unwritten Rules of Cycling Etiquette on the Group Ride

Bike RaceRiding your bike in a group is both a privilege and a burden of responsibility. While sometimes “accidents just happen,” there are many other times where they can be, and should have been, avoided. I will not rant today about the horrors I have seen on some group rides lately (even though I am sure that my ranting is deserved), instead I’ll write about the unwritten rules of the road and the cycling etiquette of a group ride. This may serve as a reminder to those of us who have been pedaling for years now as well as an introduction to cycling etiquette for those of us who may be new to the sport. Cycling is a team sport. Even if you never race your bicycle or compete on a team you are generally safer riding your bicycle with a group of friends. A small cluster of cyclists is simply easier to see than a solo cyclist. Also, cycling has become a sort of brotherhood or club these days and while pedaling down the road you often get waived at or simple hand gestures by other cyclists passing opposite the road to you. Why is that? It’s because cycling is getting “cool” and those of us who are out there want to acknowledge each other when we ride by. Cycling is a team thing. You will eventually ride your bike with someone else – it’s almost unavoidable.

So, no matter your experience level and years (or even just a few weeks) in the saddle – let’s review the basics of cycling etiquette so we can all ride safer and happier. Riding your bike in a group requires some thick skin. There is always a risk of course, but more importantly you should be called out for making any of these cycling etiquette mistakes. If you get called out, don’t be offended. Learn from it, fix it, and pedal on. We have all been there before…

Rule #1: Be predictable

There is almost nothing more irritating and dangerous than an erratic cyclist. This holds true for the solo cyclist as well. Be predictable in EVERYTHING you do. Riding smooth and with predictability is key to a safer and more enjoyable ride. Whether it be changing hand positions, making a turn, standing up out of the saddle, passing on the left, pulling through to lead the group, etc., be predictable. There is no room or reason for an erratic cyclist to try and squeeze into a position in the peloton where there isn’t room or where another rider wouldn’t even think you should be. There is never a reason to just randomly and without apparent reason shoot off the front in a full on sprint just to show how fast you can pedal your bike. Group rides are not for racing. With the advent of Strava, there are cyclists who literally just jump out of a group in a dead sprint for just a 1/4 mile or so to try and beat a PR or KOM. Without warning the group, you put everyone at risk when you shoot through the middle of the peloton to break out on the side somewhere to just sprint your brains out for a few meters. There is really no point and you end up putting others at risk. I am the first to recognize the value of sprints, and even better group sprints for records or speed training etc. However, these are announced in advance and should never just surprise the group. Remember that predictability is key to a smooth and safe ride – it doesn’t mean you have to ride slow. Ride smarter. Be predictable.

Rule #2: Never Overlap Wheels & No “Half Wheeling” on the Front

Overlapping Wheels: Surprisingly this happens all of the time. It is likely one of the leading causes of accidents in group rides. Again, this is about being predictable – NEVER roll up next to someone with your front wheel overlapping their rear wheel. This is called overlapping wheels. When you overlap wheels you remove any room for minor adjustments or corrections by the cyclist in front of you. The cyclist in front of you probably has no idea that you are even there and this even more dangerous. A group ride can often “breathe” a bit with some fluctuations in speed or even an expanded width as your neighboring cyclists move over just a bit to avoid something in the road etc. This is all normal and causes the peloton to expand, speed up, and slow down all with ripple effects. If you are half wheeling someone and they move just a bit then your wheels will collide and the chances of a wreck are almost certain! I have nearly been hit hundreds of times by cars that didn’t see me, or were distracted by their cell phones etc. – BUT I SWEAR if I get injured because some idiot was half wheeling me I would be more angry at them than I ever have been at motorist. There is no excuse or reason for half wheeling. Stop it. “Half Wheeling” is also a no no and should not be confused with overlapping wheels. Half Wheeling occurs when you are pulling on the front in a group ride where everyone is two by two down the line, and you don’t hold a steady pace. When one of the two cyclists up front speeds up just a bit – about a half a wheel – faster than the cyclist next to him then the other counters and goes back and forth ever increasing the speed and breaking the group to where people drop off the back. Don’t be that guy that half wheels in an ego competition upfront, or who half wheels because you lack the steadiness of pace and pedal stroke. No half wheeling.

Rule #3: Communicate, Communicate, and Communicate Some More

Call out hazards in the road by pointing them out. Yelling rarely is effective in a group ride as anyone 2-3 cyclists behind you can’t hear what you said and will then divert their focus to frantically scanning the road to see whatever it is you were yelling about. Point out the hazard with hand signals and do it quickly and in advance. Also, announce yourself. If you are coming in the line or wanting to pass some of the cyclists in the group then announce yourself with something like: “On your left.” Knowing someone is coming up is always better than being surprised. Remember predictability? There is no reason to be a jerk and yell out “on your left” like some drill sergeant on a mission to find a new KOM or PR. Whenever announcing yourself, you should say it clearly and nicely. Announce when you are standing up out of the saddle! Most cyclists don’t know how to properly stand up out of the saddle and that the initial action will often result in your bike being “thrown back” a bit. In a group ride that can cause a wreck in the draft or panic and brake slamming. Remember predictability? That’s right; announce everything you are doing when it affects the cyclists near you – but no yelling. This doesn’t mean that you need to announce the fact that you are eating a GU. But it does mean that you should indicate by hand signal and sometimes also by voice when you are slowing down, accelerating, standing, stopping, etc. The silent cyclist is an unpredictable and erratic cyclist. Communicate in your group. When solo – communicate to the cars around via hand signals. You can’t really ever communicate to much, but you certainly can too little.

Rule #4: Obey Traffic Rules

This comes down to predictability as well. If there is a red light and you slow down but then decide to stand up and sprint through it you are putting the rest of the group at risk. Besides the fact that if you get hurt or injured in a bike wreck that your possible recovery will be minimal if at all, you are helping support the bias against cyclists that almost every motorist feels. Obey the law. We certainly expect the cars around us to obey the traffic laws so we don’t get hurt. We also expect you to obey the traffic laws when you are riding in a group. In some circumstances it may be appropriate to slow down and then roll through a traffic signal or stop sign in very rural areas where your carbon fiber bikes will never trigger the sensor, and the time of the day is such that there is literally no traffic. In such cases, remember rule #3 – Communicate. Make sure you determine the safety of such a decision and then communicate it to the group. Be safe, and approach with caution.

Rule #5: Pulling On The Front

Peeling off the Front
Peeling off the Front

Not every one of us can ride a bike like Chris Froome. Don’t pass the group to get in the front only to slow down because you are out of gas. Know your own limits. Don’t get mixed up in some “sprint finish” only to slam on your brakes because you don’t know how to make a tight turn well. Stay in the back if that is where your capabilities put you. We have all been there and there are many days where that is still where we each sit. Pushing yourself too hard to the point where you flail about to and fro like a fish out of water is not safe either. There is much to be said about taking your turn in the wind, and doing your part to pull the group. Most of us firmly believe that you should always take your turn in the wind, even if it is a short turn. It helps you feel like a part of the group. However, be sure to keep it brief or skip it all together until you are recovered and rested enough to safely be up front. Being at the front bears a special kind of responsibility. The cyclist(s) at the front bear the burden of pace setting, determining traffic safety at upcoming intersections, calling out road hazards, and much more. In a way, the safety of the entire group rests on the shoulders of whoever is up at the front. It does little good to be so fatigued or to put your head down in a full on sprint and ignore this responsibility. Be alert and attentive at the front, or move to the back. When moving to the back you should check behind you to make sure that you are not being half wheeled. Then proceed safely out of the way announcing to the cyclist behind you by hand signals or voice that you are moving to the back. Never stop pedaling when finished pulling as it creates an accordion effect throughout the entire peloton. Keep a steady pressure on the pedals and slowly move over. Don’t stop pedaling when moving to the back as you may not be able to slip into the draft again and you could get caught watching the group ride off into the sunrise without you. Don’t wait to move off the front until you have absolutely nothing left in the tank. You should stop pulling and move to the back while you still have a little left so you don’t get dropped. When taking a turn pulling on the front, DON’T drop the hammer immediately. Pull through steady. Keep the pace where it was for a few meters before increasing your speed. When at the front you should constantly check behind you to see if the group is still in your draft. If you pulled through too quickly then you will be off the front as a soloist and an idiot that just left the group behind.

Rule #6: Gaps

There should be no gaps in a group ride. If you see a gap ride up and fill it. When filling a gap don’t be “that guy” who speeds up and then has to slam on his brakes just to prevent riding up into the back wheel of the rider ahead. Fill the gaps smoothly. Just ride up in a steady and controlled manner. Remember predictability? No need to be a surge sort of rider constantly sprinting and braking. This puts everyone around you at risk not to mention that it drains your energy almost faster than anything else.

Rule #7: Drafting

Drafting is one of the greatest pleasures in the cycling world. It is also one of the most dangerous. First and foremost, don’t draft off a stranger – it’s just rude and a little creepy. If you are on a solo ride and you come across another cyclist or two, or even a group, don’t roll up on them and start drafting without first talking to them and asking if you can tag along. No one likes a creeper or a group ride crasher. In the groups I ride with we always have the mentality of the more the merrier, but even then if a stranger just rolls up without saying anything to us and just drafts the whole time we all get creeped out. Also, don’t only draft. In other words, don’t be that cyclist that only ever drafts. No one likes the one or two riders in a group that mooch off of everyone else. Take your turn in the wind. If you are strong enough to draft off of fast cyclists then you are strong enough to pull – even if it is just for a short while. Know your limits, yeah I know we said that before – but take your turn in the wind. It’s not a welfare ride. The guys up front are working hard – you should too.

More on drafting – do not fixate or stare at the rear wheel of the cyclist you are drafting off of. Yes, you should pay close attention to the speed, and movements of who you are drafting off of. But you shouldn’t pay so much attention that you lost all connectivity with the road conditions, the movements of the group around you, etc. Don’t draft so closely that you have no room to move or that you have to slam on your brakes every few seconds because of speed changes. Give the cyclist in front of you enough courtesy room that you don’t cause a wreck because of your careless drafting skills. If you are a triathlete on a TT bike (p.s. I love these cyclists, I too started out as a triathlete once upon a time) then you have an extra duty of care. Your TT bike is not really set up for drafting and you will find yourself often popping in and out of a draft to control speed as opposed to using brakes, etc. You will most likely cause other cyclists around you an extra bit of anxiety. Be cautious and aware of the fact that your bike is simply more dangerous in a group draft than a road bike is. No need to be offended, it is what it is. But maybe you triathletes should consider giving yourself a little extra room while drafting and maybe even hanging out in the very back or the very front.

Rule #8: Climbing & Descending

Climbing: Don’t be the guy who slows down to stand up. Ever have that happen to you? You know what I mean, you are spinning right up a hill and all of the sudden the sudden the guy in front of you decides to stand up (probably didn’t communicate it – a clear violation of rule #3) and when he does his bike is thrown back and you find yourself ditching out to the left or right as quickly as you can to not hit him. When climbing and the need to stand up out of the saddle arises, announce it by saying: “Standing,” then shift 2 gears into a lower cadence while applying steady pressure on the pedals (this helps avoid abrupt changes in speed) – then you can stand up without throwing your bike backwards. Also, don’t swerve or rock your bike so much during your climbing that you take out all the other cyclists near you. Climbing out of the saddle doesn’t require flailing, just a good rhythm. Descending: Pick your line and hold it! Besides the danger of stopping pedaling while in front, pick a line and hold it. Know your abilities. Do not attempt to pass someone a descent in a tight turn. Group rides are not stages in the TDF – pass with care. When in a turn, pick a line and hold it. Never slam on your brakes while on a descent without checking to see how close your neighboring cyclists are behind you. Drafting on a descent is a great deal of fun, and you can reach extremely fast speeds – but you should always hold your line and be mindful of everyone and everything around you. Be careful when you turn your head to look to one side or the other, as you can drift in that direction and take out another cyclist. Of course this should go without saying, but strictly follow rule #2 (Never Half Wheel) while descending.

Rule #9: The Snot Rocket & Gas

It happens. Just peel off to the side for any sort of fluid release. Any and all fluid releases should be done off to the side of the peloton and never in the middle of your riding buddies. This goes for snot rockets, spit, urine, and even those nasty expulsions of air. Passing gas on a while riding your bike just happens out there. It’s almost as guaranteed as the sun coming up every day. If you have particularly bad gas, peel off to the side and drift to the back. Return to your position when you’re confident you won’t be choking the rest of the peloton with your aroma.

Rule #10: Moving Around In a Group

Be predictable. Be steady and smooth. There is no reason to go all herky jerky with sudden movements or accelerations. Don’t just swerve over and accelerate, you could end up taking out part of the group. Be consistent. Slow and steady movements inside the peloton is the safest bet for everyone involved. Pick your line and gradually move towards it allowing everyone around you time and space to react. I have nearly been run off the road on group rides because someone thought they had to hurry up and accelerate around a slower rider just to try and catch the “break away” sprinter(s). Don’t let your ego and carelessness get you mixed up in a wreck. Be steady, predictable, and gradually move in the direction you wish to go when riding in a group. Most unwritten group riding rules mention that there should not be any space between bikes but a few centimeters between handlebars. And that all group rides should be two abreast with handlebar to handlebar. I recognize that there is a lot of sense to this style and that bike handling skills play a huge role in the comfort level of cyclists participating in such a group ride. Further, when this rule is followed there aren’t riders coming up in the middle of 2 cyclists filling up a space that shouldn’t be there anyways.

Rule #11: Never Show Crack

This should go without saying, but don’t show up on a group ride with bibs or cycling shorts so thin or low cut that your crack is exposed to everyone behind you. Really? This is NEVER ok. Enough said.

Rule #12: No Earbuds

This will strike anger in the hearts of many readers… but lets be honest, how can you really hear what is going on around you in the peloton when your ear is plugged with music blasting in it. You put yourself and everyone else around you at risk. You will have a harder time hearing traffic, movements of the bikes in the peloton, etc. And worse, everyone hates it when they roll up next to you and start chatting and only to have to repeat everything because you had your ear bud(s) in. One of the greatest aspects of the sport cycling is the nature of the group ride and the social side of training. You completely remove this when you wear ear buds. But more importantly you put everyone at risk as your hearing (no matter how low the volume is) is obviously impaired to some degree. In any USAC sanctioned race, Ironman Triathlon, and other competition of note earbuds are strictly prohibited and you can be disqualified for using them. Why? Because they are unsafe and unnecessary. Don’t be that guy with ear buds. Is your cycling ability really that dependent on the beat of the music you’re listening to? Just pedal, with as few distractions as possible.

————–

If you violate these and other rules of your local group then you may have been chastised by the group leader or a concerned cyclist. Don’t be offended by this chastisement, just roll with it. It’s how we all learn and develop together into better, safer, and even faster cyclists. I still remember once when I was new to the sport an older cyclist ripped me a new one because I stopped pedaling in the group and coasted too much while I was drafting. This free spinning sounds cool when you have a nice set of wheels, but it causes hesitation and concern for the cyclist directly behind you. He yelled at me and for a long time I thought he was the biggest jerk I had met. After giving it some thought I realized that he was right and that if I could pedal more steadily and smoothly then not only was I better cyclist, but I would not throw the group into a constant accordion effect with my free spinning.

Don’t be “that guy” that breaks these rules and puts yourself and others around you in harm’s way. And don’t be “that guy” that comes off as a jerk when chastising others. DO take the opportunity to teach others the rules of cycling etiquette and DO call people out for these mistakes – just do it with a friendly tone and in a teaching moment.

 

-Best regards,

Ben Dodge, the Bike Lawyer

 

Arizona bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

Dear Cyclist, the driver gets away with 55% of the time.

Dear Cyclist,

I am writing this blog to you so I can help reassure you that your fears and concerns for you rights as a cyclist are absolutely true. I wish I had better news for you. I wish I could tell you that everything will be OK and that the statistics are on your side. Sadly, I can only confirm your suspicions and aggravate your anxiety.

In Arizona we have wonderful weather that allows you to rid your bike all year long. Sure the winter is “cold” but not that cold compared to other snow laden destinations. Sure the summer is hot, but we can hydrate and jump in our pool after a long ride. So why not ride your bike all the time? I think I know why you are a little scared that you could be falsely accused of breaking the laws.

Like you, one of my worst fears is getting in a wreck with a car. Unfortunately this happens quite a bit in Arizona. I’m lucky enough to help many of the cyclists that live here. I have learned from reviewing the public records, collision summary reports, Arizona bicycle laws, and police reports that if you do get in a wreck with a car you have a shockingly high chance of being the one found at fault. I know how bad this may sound and worse how much it can affect your bike accident case and what the insurance companies will be willing (if at all) to settle for.

Lets look at the disturbing facts together. The at fault or who was found NOT to be in violation is what concerns me the most. Here are some scary figures for you from the great city of Phoenix as of 2013:

-482 Reported Bicycle Crashes
-412 of those crashes reported injuries
-10 of those bicycle wrecks were fatal

Who is at fault? Lets look based on the police reports and citations issued:

-No Violation issued to Cyclist: 27%! This means that 73% of the time when you are hit by a car you will be found in the wrong as having violated some traffic code.
-No Violation issued to Motorist: 55%! This means that only 45% of the time the driver will be found at fault.

Seems unbelievable and unfair doesn’t it? This begs that we look a little further.

What were the actions of the motorists? Cyclists? Fortunately we know. 35% of the time the motorist was going straight. Yep, a whopping 35% of the time a motorist simply was going straight and hit a cyclist. 53% of the time a motorist was either turning right or left. 12% of the time the motorist was doing some “other” thing or it was “unknown” as to what the driver was doing. Lets break this down a bit further. 482 bicycle crashes and in 216.9 of them the driver was found to be in some sort of violation (failed to yield – 16%; unknown -10%; inattention – 8%; other – 7%; speed to fast – 2%; disregarded signal – 2%). How is that a driver can be turning right or left in 255.46 (53%) of the 482 accidents and yet in only 216.9 total accidents they are found to be at fault? How is that the “Failed to Yield” or “Inattention” stats of a combined total of 24% of the violation collisions only account for 115.68 of the bicycle collisions? When in 35% of the collisions (168.7 wrecks) the driver was actually going straight and yet drivers were only cited for inattention 38.56 cases? This is really messed up.

Actions of Bicycles
Actions of Bicycles
Actions of Drivers
Actions of Drivers

It gets worse – of the 482 bike wrecks reported in Phoenix in 2013; 347 times the cyclist was simply going straight. The cyclist wasn’t turning left, right, or even crossing the street. 347 times the cyclist was going straight and somehow the driver gets cited for inattention 38.56 times. I don’t know about you, but I am definitely not ok with these facts. This is a bit disturbing. There are a ton of very helpful and interesting statistics that even break this down further. I don’t want to bore all of you with the details in this little blog; so here is a link to the 2013 report I was referencing. Check it out and email me with questions. I am happy to discuss Arizona bike law all day long.

My advice to you: be safe out there! Be kind to the police who are investigating your accident as they will likely get it wrong and we will need them to not form a negative opinion about you or your wreck. And finally, don’t give up riding your bike! Driving a car is not a right, but a privilege that can be revoked anytime. Whereas riding your bike is so much more. There are more and more of us out there riding side by side with you. These numbers will get better in time. We must all take responsibility in our individual worlds to make cycling a safer sport, recreational pastime, and means of transpiration.

Sincerely your friend and fellow cyclist,

Ben Dodge

 

 

Arizona bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.one.ez.call). Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

Pagosa Springs Colorado – One of the BEST Summer Cycling Destinations

IMG_0198You know you might have an addiction to cycling when you go on vacation and pack more cycling gear than actual clothes, more bikes than swimsuits, and more cycling magazines that you have meaning to read than there are hours in the day. I knew my little family of 3 was unique when we loaded up our mini van to head to Colorado for a week long vacation and we brought 7 bicycles with us, I don’t even know how many cycling magazines, and only 3 swimsuits. My little family consists of my wife, my son, and myself. “How is that possible?” is a thought that must have passed through the minds of everyone we sped past on the highway driving from Arizona to Colorado. I’ll tell you what, when you love to ride your bike as much as we do then you bring your bike(s) with you when you travel. I had that mini van crammed to the limits with three bikes inside, and four more on a hitch bike rack in the rear. We had our mountain bikes, road bikes, grandma’s bike, and my son’s bike. It was quite a sight. It was probably the first time I realized that we might have an addiction to cycling.

IMG_0066
Arizona Bicycle Lawyer Ben Dodge

Pagosa Springs Colorado is famous for their natural hot springs. Many claim that these mineral springs are somehow magically healing. I’m not in a position to doubt them as we enjoyed the springs 6 out of 7 nights we stayed there and I admit I feel much better after having sat in them… but that could just be that we finally took some time relax. In any event, this town is famous for hot springs, surely you would pack all sorts of swim gear. Well, we packed all sorts of cycling gear and a ton of bicycles. Why? Because we love to ride our bikes, and Pagosa Springs Colorado also boasts some impressive scenery where your breath can literally be taken away by the beauty. We didn’t want to miss a single experience. We rode our bikes on the road, in the mountains, through the cattle ranches and farms, and all over town. Everywhere we went we had a bike experience that left a lasting impression.

I doubt that you can ride much here in the winter, but the summer is awesome! I made it a point to stop by a local bike shop to get the “lay of the land” so to speak as to where the great rides were and what to avoid. It is a very good idea to check in with the locals before heading out because there may be some construction to avoid or some notoriously wild and dangerous routes to avoid. I stopped by Pagosa Mountain Sports, and was treated with welcoming kindness. It was a cool little shop and was really well stocked for a small town. They had an extreme amount of very relevant local info on some nearby trails and even the roads I should avoid when I headed out on my road bike. They had just finished building some new mountain bike trails a couple of days prior to me arriving and were very eager to share the route with me. The trail was awesome! Had I not stopped by I would never have known about the new trails and the epic views from the top that these trails were a part of. I must say if you ever head to Pagosa Springs, stop by Pagosa Mountain Sports and say hello – they really know their stuff.

Next time you pass through or near Colorado in the summertime, hit up Pagosa Springs and check out all of the fantastic biking in their nearby Rocky mountains. Oh, and don’t forget to check out their hot springs too – because you should have packed at least one swim suit…

Arizona bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.one.ez.call). Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

Thank You Bike

In the last few weeks I have competed in several endurance races including the El Tour de Mesa – a classic tour race in Arizona, my first Criterium race (El Tour Criterium State Championships), Ironman St. George 70.3, and just a couple of days ago I set a PR at Ironman Texas 140.6. I have to say that this last one was incredible and one of my more memorable races. The heat and humidity was unbearable, but the wind is what finally did us all in. Houston Texas is crazy hot, crazy humid, and yes it can be very windy! The thing I learned the most through all of this is: I love my bike. I love to bike. Thank you bike.

Pack Pull

While I will always have a love for triathlons, and especially Ironman, I feel my heart trending more and more towards the feel of two pedals and the road/dirt pathways. Running has never really been my thing. Believe me; I have tried all sorts of running from the 8 full Ironman races, Countless Ironman 70.3s, various marathons, 10Ks, 6Ks, and even a few ultra distance marathons with 50+ miles of running. Its just at the end of the day what makes my heart tick is not the pounding of the pavement but rather the enchanting roll an aero bike and the smooth pedal stroke that almost hypnotically puts me in a state of peace. I love to bike. I love to bike and respect those who love to run. My good friend recently finished an epic endurance run across the entire length of Puerto Rico. It was 183 miles and it took him over 40 hours of straight running. He finished 4th over all and by all means is a hero in my book. What a stud. He just loves to run. I know of no one who loves running more than my friend.

At the end of the day I hope we all find something that allows us to detach from our cell phone and digital word a bit and takes out into the natural world. I hope we find something that will push us to exert such efforts as to develop pride and strong character in our achievements. Something that will introduce us to the peace and tranquility of inner discovery. I hope we will learn to appreciate those difficult moments; those windy and rainy days, so we can recognize and love the good moments. My bike is what has reconnected me to something bigger than myself. My bike has taken me (and I have taken it) to extremes. It has been on my bike in the early morning hours that I have been lucky enough to see amazing sunrises and meet wonderful people. My bike has allowed me to be healthier and skinnier. My bike has brought me countless experiences and memories which have helped shape me into a better person. I hope you all get an opportunity to enjoy similar things. Whether it be running, rowing, boating, swimming, horse back riding, etc. – I hope you all find something that introduces you to our natural world. If you don’t have anything, may I suggest a bike? It is awesome.

Thank you bike.

Arizona bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. it isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.one.ez.call). Mr. dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

Arizona Ranked #19 of Bicycle Friendly States

Every year the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) issues report cards for each state ranking them in terms of their “bicycle friendliness.” This year Arizona ranked #19 out of 50 states. This is really not that great. Unfortunately for our state we have much work still to do. The rankings are based on several factors and are best explained directly by the LAB as explained below. The image is the quick view ranking chart overall where Washington hit the #1 spot and Arizona hit the #19 spot:

2015_state_ranking_chartThe Arizona State specific report card is also below where we only received 42 out of 100 points:

LAB State RankingBelow is the LAB’s explanation of the criteria used to issue the report cards and provides a great perspective on the work we must still accomplish in our home state of Arizona:

What Do We Assess?

How do we determine the Bicycle Friendly State℠ Ranking? With our multi-faceted survey, we assess progress in five categories:

  • Education and Encouragement
  • Infrastructure and Funding
  • Legislation and Enforcement
  • Programs and Policies
  • Evaluation and Planning

Click through the slideshow to see how your state stacked up in 2014 in each of the five categories and read more about what each category means below.

Legislation & Enforcement

The Legislation and Enforcement component of the BFS questionnaire covers basic laws and regulations that govern bicycling. Questions include whether cyclists can legally use the shoulder, signal turns with either hand or leave the right-hand portion of the road when their safety requires it. This section also covers motorist responsibilities like passing at a minimum of three feet, making sure traffic is clear before opening automobile doors, and gathers data on the types of training law enforcement officers and traffic court judges receive to ensure protection of cyclists’ rights to the road and safe travel on our shared roadways.

Programs & Policies

The Programs & Policies component of the BFS questionnaire covers what state agency requirements are for accommodating cyclists, be it a Complete Streets policy, a plan or agreement for mountain bike trails, how much state agency staff time is dedicated to bicycling, and whether or not bicycling is included as part of the state’s carbon-reduction plan.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure and how it’s funded is a critical element of the BFS questionnaire, and the questions aim at collecting data on specific performance measurements, i.e. in the amount of facilities and spending amounts for bicycling. Other examples include the percentage of state highways with shoulders, signed bike routes, trail miles, and bicycle-related project obligation rates for available federal funding. As states improve their numbers for many of the BFS questions, the bar will continue to rise for states in regards to bicycle-friendliness.

Education & Encouragement

The Education & Encouragement section covers the amount of bicycling education in the state for adult and youth cyclists, and individual and professional motorists. A few ways that states can educate drivers on the road about cycling, for example, are Share the Road campaigns and questions concerning cyclists’ rights in state drivers’ exams. States can encourage more and better bicycling by promoting bicycling tourism, producing bike maps and collaborating with state and local advocacy groups, along with education efforts.

Evaluation & Planning

The Evaluation & Planning section of the BFS questionnaire surveys how bicycling is incorporated into each state’s yearly planning. Questions address the way bicycling is included in the highway safety plan, outdoor recreation plan and/or bicycle transportation plan. This section also measures results of the state’s bicycle/car crash rates and bike commuting rates.

Source: LAB, http://bikeleague.org/content/categories-and-maps

The Wild Wild West: Arizona – Where Cyclists are Criminals

The Wild Wild West: Arizona – Where Cyclists are Criminals.

No kidding, this is a true story. Simply unbelievable and unfortunately all to common. Recently I helped another client on a pro bono basis who was unfairly charged with criminal property damage. He was facing significant fines, and a criminal record that in Arizona could never be expunged. Here in the “Wild Wild West” we have a saying (and a law) that says: Once a criminal, always a criminal. Seems a bit harsh right? Maybe even unfair? OF COURSE its unfair and definitely harsh. Here is what happened:

My client, the innocent cyclist, was riding along in the roadway legally along the most far right hand side when a car pulled up beside him and began honking its horn. This car was full of college students that felt the need to poke fun at the cyclist and participate in all manner of harassment against him. The story gets better – the harassment, name calling, and horn honking was so severe that my client stopped his bicycle to let the car pass. Of course, the car also stopped and continued the harassment even though there was no stop sign, or stop light, or anything else justifying the car to stop. Their sole intent was to continue harassing the cyclist.

At this point words are exchanged between the cyclist and the passengers of the vehicle… to spare the readers the gory details, lets just all assume that the words exchanged were less than kind from both parties. With the vehicle firmly stopped and the harassment ongoing, my client the cyclist positions himself between his bicycle and the vehicle; the bicycle acting like a makeshift protective barrier just inches away from the car. The passengers in the vehicle determine that their last intimidating maneuver (short of exiting the vehicle and literally assaulting my client) is to lunge the vehicle forward as if they would hit the cyclist standing there. This is all taking place in the roadway no where near a valid or legal stopping position for the car. Out of fear and defense my client steps away and backwards from his bicycle when the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle’s mirror caught the handlebars of the bicycle and brought the bicycle partially onto the hood of the car – at which point the cowardly driver sped off fleeing the scene.

My cyclist client was furious and called the cops himself to report the incident, after all fleeing the scene is a crime in Arizona. While my client is speaking to the police the vehicle along with the harassing passengers actually returned to the scene for what I can only assume was Round #2 of intimidation and harassment. My client seeing the vehicle coming again warned the police and flagged down the driver. They came to a stop and told a great story of how my client was blocking the road and then out of anger towards them as “college kids just having fun” threw his bicycle on their car causing a grand total of approximately $100 of property damage. “Are you kidding me?” is the only thought that came to my mind when listening to this story, as it is not the first nor do I suspect it’ll be the last time I help a cyclist in this sort of predicament. The officer promptly goes to the cyclist (who by way of a minor detail was VERY ANGRY and understandably so, and therefore spoke harshly towards the police officer) and issues a “criminal property damage” citation to the cyclist. The car full of “college kids just having fun” didn’t receive any citations, warnings, or anything else.

A long story short, this case proceeded all the way to trial and settled just minutes before the judge took the bench. The prosecutor refused to believe any part of my client’s story. The police officer refused to believe any part of my client’s story. For months we hammered through issues in and out of court on the pending criminal case for this victim cyclist. Eventually we were able to get the whole case dismissed and the charges dropped with prejudice (never to be filed again in this instance against my cyclist) minutes before the judge took the bench. We were finally able to persuade the driver that taking a bit of money to fix the alleged property damage is his only shot at getting anything out of my client as we would surely prevail at trial. Could we prevail at trial? I’m not sure I am convinced we would have won… The problem in these cases is that many drivers already have unkind feelings towards cyclists and tend to form subtle biases against us for many different reasons including but not limited to: cutting off drivers, running red lights or stop signs, taking a lane and slowing down traffic, and on and on and on. So goes the familiar tale, cyclist then in a way gets punished by the system designed to protect it. Welcome to the Wild Wild West!

Be safe out there. Be extra cautious. Treat everyone with respect as you never know when you will need their help as a witness, police officer, or even the help of an at fault driver.

Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge

Ben-&-BikeIf you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. it isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.one.ez.call). Mr. dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main Arizona offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

Tucson – 6th Best Cycling City in the U.S.

Tucson Arizona – Ranked 6th Best Cycling City in the U.S. by the Travel Channel. For most of us native Arizona cyclists, it comes as no surprise that Tucson Arizona is nothing short of awesome in the cycling world. Why else would professional cyclists winter here? It can’t be just the weather. Here is why our own super-town Tucson Arizona ranks so high, in my opinion and an opinion now shared by the Travel Channel:
1. Tucson is a desert oasis. Tucson is a fantastic city rich in culture and truly an oasis in this great southwest desert. The city has over 700 miles of designated bikeways. That is more bicycle infrastructure than any other city in the entire United States. What other desert town pops up and provides such beautiful bikeways designated just for cyclists? The city is host to Perimeter Cycling Association, an organization that proudly puts on cycling events throughout Arizona. Their champion event is the El Tour de Tucson every November. This event alone has one of the largest positive economic impacts and revenue generation for the entire county. There are typically 8,000-12,000 cyclists in attendance every year, and their friends and family often come along wither to race in this great 100+ mile classic tour around Tucson. In many many ways, Tucson truly is an Oasis in the desert – providing cyclists with relief and opportunities.
iStock_desert sunset mtn bike
2. Tucson is home to Mt. Lemmon, and other world famous climbs. Of the top 100 Toughest Road Bike Climbs in the U.S., three are here in Tucson with the grand champion Mt. Lemmon ranking 33rd on the list (ranked by John Summerson in “The Complete Guide to Climbing by Bike”). Mt. Lemon is commonly ranked as “hors category” or “category 1” on the scale used to rank climbs in the European stage racing. At anytime during the year, but especially in the fall and spring months, a cyclist will encounter fellow cyclists from all over the world. The climb to the Summit is approximately 23 miles and 6600 feet of elevation gain. It’s a notch in the belt of any cyclist and one of the favorite training rides for Lance Armstrong.

3. Epic Mountain Biking. Surrounding the desert Oasis of Tucson is a myriad extremely cool mountain biking trails literally in the nearby mountains and/or in the desert pathways. The interconnected mountain bike trails offer something for everyone including the beginners, the intermediate riders or even our very own advanced riders. These trails are truly epic.

These are just three amazing reasons of many as to why our very own Tucson is ranked as the 6th best cycling city in the U.S. Congrats to us! Tucson rocks. If you have not yet been to Tucson and enjoyed the cycling culture, trails, climbing, designated bike paths, and more – then you are truly missing out on one of the best cycling experiences in America. We love Tucson Arizona cycling!

Ben-&-Bike_croppedBike Accident Attorneys, PLC was formally founded in January of 2013 by Tucson Bicycle Accident Lawyer Ben Dodge. A 7 time Ironman competitor and endurance cyclist, Ben made the decision in January of 2013 to take his personal injury experience and dedicate it solely to bike accident victims. He founded an entire law firm with one purpose: Representing Cyclists. Now with offices in Tucson Arizona, Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC exists to aggressively and effectively represent injured cyclists in and throughout Arizona. Ben is a member of Bike Law and can help a cyclist get excellent representation from a fellow Bike Law attorney throughout the entire country. Now with a firm entirely dedicated and focused on protecting the rights of Arizona cyclists and Arizona bike accident victims, Ben has turned his job into his passion.

Our new Tucson Arizona law Office is conveniently located right near downtown Tucson just a minute or two off of Interstate 10 at: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson Arizona 85701. Our telephone number remains 855.663.3922.

Alliance for Biking & Walking Partners with Bike Law!

Aliance logo

New Partnership with Alliance for Biking and Walking

Ben Dodge of Bike Accident Attorneys PLC is a proud member of Bike Law and represents cyclists throughout Arizona and the southwest. As a proud member of Bike Law, a national network of bicycle lawyers, we are proud to announce a new partnership with the Alliance for Biking & Walking. This partnership will allow more cyclists to get qualified and expert legal assistance throughout the country. Ben practices law in Arizona and primarily represents cyclists in Arizona; however, Ben can assist a cyclist anywhere in the United States and hep find qualified representation through the Bike Law network. We welcome this new partnership eagerly look forward to the growth and improved representation available to cyclists everywhere.

The Bike Law Network

bike-law-badgeThe Bike Law Network is a team of like-minded bicycle advocates and accident attorneys. Founded by Peter Wilborn, Bob Mionske, and Ann Groninger, it has expanded to cover 20 states. The Arizona Bike Law attorney is our very own Ben Dodge of Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC. Alliance members have access to on-call assistance from national experts, including pro-bono legal services offered by Bike Law.

You can reach them at info@bikelaw.com and at (844) 531-7530. Or contact directly the Bike Law lawyer in your state.

 

Bike Attorneys

Click each state name to view the full directory on BikeLaw.com.

Alabama

Arizona

Colorado

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Iowa

Kansas

Louisiana

Maryland

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

New York

North Carolina

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Tucson Arizona Bicycle Lawyer

We are proud to officially open a new Tucson Arizona office location for Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC. Tucson has long been one of the best cities in America to ride bicycles. With many pro cyclists and avid athletes, Tucson boasts one of the highest rankings in the country for cyclists. There are a ton of epic rides in Tucson Arizona and one world famous easily comes to mind: Mt. Lemon. Need I say more? Everyone loves Mt. Lemon, even if you hate to climb you will be drawn in by the pure majesty of climbing Mt. Lemon. I’m proud to have an official physical office in Tucson Arizona. I have a great deal of clients in Tucson and this office will better serve their needs.

Our new Tucson Arizona law Office is conveniently located right near downtown Tucson just a minute or two off of Interstate 10 at:

One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson Arizona 85701. Our telephone number remains 855.663.3922.

A little about my firm: Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC was formally founded in January of 2013 by Bicycle Accident Lawyer Ben Dodge. A 7 time Ironman competitor and endurance cyclist, Ben made the decision in January of 2013 to take his personal injury experience and dedicate it solely to bike accident victims. He founded an entire law firm with one purpose: Representing Cyclists. Now with offices in Tucson Arizona, Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC exists to aggressively and effectively represent injured cyclists in and throughout Arizona. Ben is a member of Bike Law and can help a cyclist get excellent representation from a fellow Bike Law attorney throughout the entire country. Now with a firm entirely dedicated and focused on protecting the rights of Arizona cyclists and Arizona bike accident victims, Ben has turned his job into his passion.

Bike Law BadgeThe National Bike Law Network is a select group of like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

The attorneys at Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC are unlike any other personal injury attorneys. They are cyclists first and personal injury attorneys second. They know and love cycling in and out. They eat, drink, and breathe cycling. Clients of Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC are not just clients, they are fellow cyclists first. There is deep understanding, compassion, and great personal care taken by the attorneys on every bike accident case in Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC because they know and understand what its like to be a cyclist. They know your rights as a cyclist. They understand the frustrations cyclists have towards negligent drivers. The bike accident attorneys at this firm are still riding their bikes, still competing in bike races and triathlons. They are actively involved in the bicycle community locally and nationally to stay in tune with recent legal developments. Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC proudly stands up for cyclists through its sponsorship a number of non profit organizations dedicated to improving the safety of cyclists.

Ben Dodge is a Tucson Arizona bicycle lawyer focused entirely on bike accidents. Ben only represents cyclists and is proud to be a Tucson Arizona Bike Accident Attorney for such a growing and enthusiastic cycling town as Tucson.

 

The “Insurance Shuffle” Game – What your Ins. Co. will do in your case.

Most people get the fact that insurance companies only stay in business by paying out as little as possible, if any at all. One of their favorite games is to play what I call the “Insurance Shuffle.” Typically they will start off pretty strong in the beginning, and then switch you to a variety of other claims adjustors or “Senior Claims Reps” before every settling. Many insurance companies have bonus structures set up for their agents based on how little they pay within their range of settlement discretion. If there is any wiggle room whatsoever in a case these initial claims adjustors try and stick it to you making it seem like your case has zero or very little value. They will often come up with crazy reasons as why the medical treatments you received are not related to your accident, or are not justified by it. Anything to lower the value of your case.

If you are persistent and can present the facts in a clear and reasonable manner then you eventually you can get them to bump their offer up. In this case the Hartford insurance company insultingly increased their offer by about $500-$2,000 per counter offer. They were barely even covering the medical expenses of my client. It has been 1.75 years of brow beating negotiations where they have continued to try and take advantage of my client. The offers and acceptance of liability on their part were like pulling teeth – notwithstanding their insured driver had been clearly cited for blatant violations of the traffic laws and run right over my cyclist.

So, after almost two years of frustration my client and I counseled together and I explained that filing a lawsuit would be the next step. The current low settlement offer on the table would barely cover their medical expenses and this was unacceptable to both of us. I knew that once we filed the law suit we would likely get to discuss the merits of the case with the Hartford’s legal team as opposed to the claims adjustors who we had been dealing with thus far. Happy and eager to file the suit on behalf of my clients we prepared a great law suit and served it on all relevant parties. Waiting the required 20 days for their response was a suspense that I am accustomed to. just a couple of days before the 20 day deadline we received a letter faxed to us from the Hartford. Was it from their legal team? Nope. They had pulled the “Insurance Shuffle” and assigned us a “Sr. Claim Rep” for any “further correspondence” and for “further handling.” You can see the letter below:

Classic "Insurance Shuffle" Letter
Classic “Insurance Shuffle” Letter

I admit I am not surprised. This is Hartford’s policy. Eventually because of the law suit I will be talking to their legal counsel. But for now, they are attempting once again with someone who apparently has more authority to settle at a higher amount than the prior adjustors we had previously been dealing with. The letter even stated that this new “Sr. Claim Rep” can “better serve” me and my client. I wonder how? And if so, then why not assign them to us earlier when I had emailed them a copy of my law suit weeks before I filed it stating that they should entertain reasonable negotiations with us or we will be forced to file this suit. Instead, they continued to play hardball and forced my client to file a law suit.

This is the “Insurance Shuffle” in one of its many varieties… Yes, there are many faces to the Insurance Shuffle including but not limited to the: lets “better serve” you by assigning you a senior claim rep at the last moment after we have made you file a law suit. We can just shuffle them around until they are tired of chasing us and then maybe they will finally settle this case. Well, that doesn’t work at my firm. We don’t stand for those games. Our insurance companies have two very simple and clear alternatives when dealing with us:

  1. Be fair and reasonable and pay what our client deserves and we will settle out of court; or
  2. Be unfair and unreasonable and we will file a law suit against them. End of story.

I have attached a copy of the letter for your viewing pleasure. It has been redacted to protect my client’s privacy. The red lined additions and notes are mine so you can see what they were doing. Really, after a while you just shake your head and laugh it off in my line of work wondering why they keep playing the same games… Don’t they know we will just sue them?

Be safe out there and ride it like you stole it!

Ben Dodge, Cyclist & Bike Accident Attorney

***

Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge

Ben Dodge - Arizona Bicycle Lawyer

If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. it isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.one.ez.call). Mr. dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 480.656.8334.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 e. baseline rd., suite 124
mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
phoenix, Arizona 85016

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

El Tour de Mesa 2015 – Race/Crit Info

With the 2015 El Tour de Mesa quickly approaching its probably best to get some information out there that many of us are highly anticipating. For example, the route has changed significantly – the infamous climb on Shea has been removed. Unconfirmed reports cite the traffic and nearby construction as the leading culprits behind the decision to avoid Shea. Regardless of the reason, I know quite a few cyclists who are plenty happy to not climb that beast!

Registration/Packet Pick Up

One of my favorite aspects to the TDM and El Tour in Tucson is that Perimeter Cycling Association allows for same day registration. Packet pick up is not available on race day (except for the fun rides). Packet pick up will be held at the expo (as is usually the case) located at the Mesa convention center; 263 North Center St., Mesa, AZ  85201. Google map here.

Platinum Riders/Info

 

For those of you Platinum riders out there, make sure you get your platinum pass on Friday before the race as they are not available race day. To obtain platinum status at TDM you must finish the 72 mile race in under 3:00 hrs for male cyclists and 3:15 for female cyclists. Platinum facts:

  • Required for entry into Platinum corral at events
  • Passes available at Platinum meetings at Expo: El Tour de Mesa, El Tour de Tucson and Viva Bike Vegas ONLY
  • Must attend Platinum meeting to acquire pass (Meeting for TDM 2015 is at 12pm and 6pm Friday before the race).
  • Not available ride morning
  • No Platinum designation required for Cochise Classic 165 and 95 mile distances; however, these are qualifying event distances
  • Platinum corral closes 15 min before start of El Tour de Mesa and Viva Bike Vegas; platinum corral closes 30 minutes before start of El Tour de Tucson

Course Route Info

The route which does not include Shea this year.

2015 El Tour Criterium State Championships

TDM CritThis year the annual Crit race hosted by Two Wheel Jones Bicycles has been chosen as the State Championships. Come out and see some great Crit racing on tap. Very fast racing in a cool urban course right in the middle of downtown Mesa! Registration and more info here. Of course, for those who have always wanted to try out the crit race – this year there is a 1st Timer Crit Experience. What a great idea to get out there and try out one of these races. The proceeds of the 1st Timer Crit Experience are going to a local Autism Charity. It doesn’t get much better than that folks!

 

 

2015 El Tour de Mesa – 1st Timer Crit Experience!

I have always wanted to race in a crit but haven’t taken the opportunity yet. Fortunately Two Wheel Jones is hosting the State Championship Criterium race in connection with this year’s El Tour de Mesa (TDM), and they are offering for the first time ever the “1st Timer Crit Experience.” It’s a crit race for first timers. I’m definitely in! The following is taken from their website:

“Never raced a criterium before?  This is your opportunity to try one in a controlled and super exciting environment!!  The criterium experience will be a non-competitive ride to raise funds for the local Autism Charity “I Can Do Hard Things”  Here is the website  http://www.hopeforautism.net/ 
This is how the ride works:

Athletes will follow a “pacer” around the course starting at a warm up pace.  No passing the pacer or aggressive overtaking is allowed. The pacer will gradually increase the speed each lap.  The officials will pull riders who have fallen off the pack each lap.  The last athlete to stay with the pacer WINS!!!  This race is for Category 5 and citizen riders only.

Race starts at 5 pm on Friday, April 10. 
REGISTER HERE: http://www.arizonareg.com“

Bicycle Advocacy | D.C. to AZ – Do our legislators even care?

IMG_9268Just a couple of weeks ago I enjoyed the opportunity to attend the League of American Bicyclists National Summit in Washington D.C. The entire town is full of would be movers and shakers in just about every identifiable political cause. With the National Bike Summit underway there were plenty of politically minded advocates ready to go to war with their state senators and representatives to help advance the cycling legislative issues of the day.

After several days of various cycling related topics and guest speakers all of us as attendees split up into groups based on our different states we represent. We formulated a game plan and then went to “the hill” (that’s capitol hill) armed with brochures, questions, and statistics to try and get support for some new legislation coming up for debate (i.e. the transportation bill among others).

It didn’t take long to note that we were politely accepted and welcomed into the legislative offices, but that our agenda was more like a request to save some sort of spotted squirrel that no one really cared about. At all times we were treated with professionalism and were absolutely listened to. Yet, there was a definite feeling of disinterest or at least minimal concern for the cycling issues.

I for one was not surprised and expected as much. These are very busy and powerful individuals with very complicated and tangled political agendas that didn’t necessarily include cyclists and our roadways, protective laws, and infrastructure funding. By the end of the day I was amazed at what I had learned about the process of “advocating” as an individual and how effective or ineffective it can be.

badge-azFast forward to a week and half later and I found myself sitting in the office Arizona Senator (and president of the senate) Andy Biggs. My appointment with him had been changed and rescheduled by both of us for a period of a couple of months. Finally we were able to sit down face to face and have a chat about our very specific Arizona laws. I had heard from several in the bicycle community that Andy Biggs was no friend to cyclists and that he absolutely doesn’t care about cycling safety as he feels the laws on the books already are good enough. In fact, he has been quoted as saying that several times before.

Somewhat apprehensive and very eager to get to the bottom of it I went into this appointment full of hope and optimism. I left full of disappointment. Here is what I learned about Arizona Cycling Laws from our very own local legislators:

  1. 1) Cycling safety is very important. I was told in the very beginning how important cycling safety is to Andy Biggs. Yet, when it came down to it who would ever say that they are not concerned for the safety of the cyclists? My short and effective response would be: Prove it. Show me. Show us. The statement of cycling safety being very important really felt hollow. I know he meant well and I don’t fault him for saying it, but I couldn’t help but feel short of any support for the statement. Andy Biggs has certainly been very vocal and adamant against passing any cycling safety laws in our recent history.
  2. 2) Cyclists shouldn’t get any special treatment. “There are relatively few cyclists compared to the mass amount of motorists – so why should they get any special treatment?” No joke – this is almost word for word what he said to me!  At first ear shot it sounds a bit appalling. And in the past when this statement was made to some local cycling advocates there was nothing short of a verbal brawl that ensued and ended badly. The “blood” from that battle still seems strewn everywhere and the wounds are not yet healed. Satire aside, Andy Biggs definitely feels like the majority of the people should get special treatment and not the minority – in this example that means that Arizona cyclists will continue to suffer from his lack of legislative support in part, simply because there are more drivers than cyclists. Wow. That is a tough pill to swallow.
  3. 3) The general traffic laws we currently have are good enough. To further support his position Senator Biggs explained that its not just that there are more motorists than cyclists; but also that He is more of an “old school” mindset. He believes that fundamentally law makers should not make laws  that carve out special exceptions to just a few people. He feels that our law books are full of too many carved out niches of law, and that in general we as a people have too many laws already. Senator Biggs said that we should use the laws already on the books – especially if they already address the problems that are we are seeking new laws for. My thought is that he has not ridden a bicycle and doesn’t comprehend the very large difference (literally) between a car and a bicycle. Both motorists and cyclists are definitely bound by the traffic code. However, the traffic code was written for users of the roadway that are motorists. Bicycles are by nature very different and more vulnerable than motor vehicles. To blindly assume that general traffic laws that apply to motor vehicles also somehow adequately cover the many differences of cyclists is a bit naive and or ignorant. I get what he is saying about not clogging up our system with new laws if the current laws address the problems. But it seems pretty clear that a more defined set of rules and ordinances should apply to cyclists (pedestrians, and other vulnerable users of the roadways). The differences are too great to ignore. So my answer Andy Biggs is: No, our current laws are not enough. There needs to be more defined and specific provisions that apply to situations involving vulnerable users of the roadways such as cyclists.
  4. 4) Cycling advocates are a nuisance. In short, it was clear that as gracious as Andy Biggs was in accepting my request for an appointment, I was nothing more than a nuisance. The sooner my appointment ended with him the better in his mind. I was and am grateful for the opportunity to have met with him personally in a one on one setting. However, I invited him to come and speak to a large group of cyclists to explain his position on Arizona cycling laws and the Arizona traffic code, but he didn’t want anything further to do with the topic and counted it complete upon concluding my appointment. In his mind, he had done his duty by meeting with me and nothing more was needed. My thought: Its not over – its just beginning.

 

Clearly cycling advocacy must take a much different approach. Both nationally and locally it seems that there are some common themes as outlined above. No one wants to be the guy that is wasting someone’s time and is just politely listened to so as to put an end to the conversation. There must be a better way to unify the cycling community and create a larger voice for cycling advocacy. I know that the Coalition of Arizona Cyclists (locally) and the League of American Bicyclists (nationally) are two organizations attempting to do just that. I for one will jump in head first and hope to contribute in an effective manner.

In short, the individual meetings with local and national legislators is important in my opinion, but I admit that I think it is not always (if at all) very effective. Perhaps if done in mass such appointments may have greater impact. I also feel like there is another way out there just beyond the horizon and I look forward to seeking it out. When we find our Arizona voice I’ll call you up and you can join us in making cycling a better priority and a safer venture here in Arizona. Until then – keep up the good fight the best way you know how.

***

Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge

Ben Dodge - Arizona Bicycle Lawyer
Ben Dodge – Arizona Bicycle Lawyer

If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. it isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

badge-azBen Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

  • your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
  • the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
  • your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
  • the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
  • the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.one.ez.call). Mr. dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC

Call Ben Dodge, the Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 480.656.8334.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main offices are located at:

Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 e. baseline rd., suite 124
mesa, Arizona 85206

Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
phoenix, Arizona 85016

Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.

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