I was sitting in a conference room just a few days ago with my clients, a now grieving widow and her devastated daughter when the Mediator finally walks into the room to convey the insurance company’s offer for the fatal bicycle crash case we were fighting for. A local landscape company with a 1$ million dollar policy and liable for the death of a local cyclist has denied even making an offer to the surviving family to this point in the case. He opens by saying, “Do not be insulted, they are only willing to pay $12,000.00.”
Do not be insulted? Are you kidding me? My clients are in tears now. This negotiation has to change and it has to change right now. After hours of discussing the strengths and weaknesses, the evidence, expert witnesses, etc., in this case with the Mediator – this is their offer to our 1 Million dollar demand. $12k? That doesn’t even cover a decent funeral. The mediator was smart enough to mention that he felt they would pay at least 6 digits… probably between $100k-$150k, but that “they wanted to send a message that they will never pay anything near 1 million.”
My response was swift and simple. I knew they were going to play games. I knew they were simply sending a message. I knew immediately what to do, I wanted to send a message of my own. I wanted them to know that I don’t play games. The value of this case to my clients far exceeds any dollar amount. This family doesn’t need any money. They are pretty well off enough without the money. This case was a case in principle for them. They want to make a difference for future wrecks such as this one. To be truthful, my clients would have walked away from the case entirely if the landscape company had simply apologized for the bike wreck in the beginning. Instead, they attempted to cover it up and dismiss any wrong doing on their part.
With this in mind, my response was not difficult to formulate. I stood up and pushed away from the table stating simply: “You can tell them we will happily see them in court.” End of story. Not interested in wasting another minute or putting my clients, now in tears, through any more of the “games” so often associated with this process. My intention was simple and straight forward, settle for policy limits or take it to trial and risk the jury awarding something less or something far greater than 1 million. That message was received loud and clear. As we were leaving the mediator came rushing in and asked for a counter offer assuring me that the insurance company is indeed willing to pay 6 digits, maybe even up to $300k. This of course is a vast improvement from the $12K they initially offered, but fell far short of the real value of the case.
Sometimes You Fight… Sometimes You Fight by Walking Away
The mediator insisted that I give them a counter offer. Perfect, I now had another opportunity to “send a message” to these clowns. I thought for a moment, looked at my clients whose eyes seemed to be pleading for me to honor their belief in this case, then I said: “Sure, please tell the insurance company that we can accept a full and global settlement on all of my clients’ claims for $1 million dollars minus $12K. I believe that would be a 6 digit figure of $988,000.00.” Looking at me in disbelief, the mediator said they will never go for that. “I know,” I said. Returning to the room he said they denied that offer and that there is nothing more for us to do here today. Wishing us well he ushered us out with a great interest in following our case. He mentioned he will keep track of this one as it is very unique.
Looking back on this mediation it occurs to me that an effective attorney will know not only what is best for the case and for his clients in terms of the strengths and weaknesses of his/her case, but will also know how to manage the clients’ hopes, fears, and desires. In this case, it was predictable that the insurance company would low ball us. While I expected an opening offer around $200k, it was shocking to get such a low ball offer of only $12k! My clients were pissed. It became instantly clear that no settlement would be reached today. My focus then turned on gathering as much information about their position and tactics as possible while ALSO making sure they received a like manner and equally shocking response. This case is not so cut and dry – and I am not at liberty to discuss the case details yet, but it is safe to say that the case can go either really well for my clients or really poorly. They already know this. I have spoken at great lengths with them regarding the pros and cons. The insurance company has been attempting to beat us up for about a year now on this and has yet to even make an offer. They clearly expected us to give into the intimidation and fear tactics of their negotiation strategy and hoped we would accept a little something as opposed to the nothing they feel would get at trial. This is exactly why a shocking response to them was required. Walking away and forcing them into court is exactly what it took for them to go from $12k to $300k. Our shocking response was well received and yet it is only the beginning.
I’m confident that in this case we will do even better given more time with them, and more opportunities for evidence gathering and depositions, etc. The mediator had been doing this for 40+ years and didn’t even feel we had a case at first. (Which undoubtedly influenced the insurance company). But by the end he was changing his opinion and very intrigued by our position, to the point of asking permission to follow the case closely to see how it develops.
The point of the story is, that even if you don’t think you have a good bike crash case you should consult with our office and determine whether not you in fact have a case. The other point is, that sometimes you just have to know when to walk away from a bad negotiation to actually make it into a good negotiation and ultimately get what you and your clients want.
-Ben Dodge
Bicycle crash and bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
A bicycle crash is not always an accident. If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle crash or accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, 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 also founded Bike Accident Attorneys Network, a national network of attorneys who focus on representing cyclists. Ben can find you help anywhere in the country.
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. Having competed in 8 Ironman triathlons, numerous local and national cycling races, and a successful finish in the Race Across the West, 2016, he really knows what it is like to ride and race a 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.
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.
We all know someone who has been run off the road, or worse hit and the driver just carries on as if our lives as cyclist are infinitely inferior to those of the drivers. Of course cyclists lives matter! Yet, it doesn’t always seem so when a bike wreck actually happens. I often encounter drivers who fled the scene, or drivers who are absolutely certain it is the cyclists fault that their car(s) hit them. I have seen countless police officers inappropriately or unknowingly issue citations to cyclists when a car has struck the cyclist. I have seen an innumerable amount of cases where the insurance company fights to the death (no pun intended) defending the illegal and careless driving behavior of their clients. I have been involved with many bike crash cases where the cyclist has been struck unconscious and can’t remember what happened. Below is a sample video of a rear facing mounted bicycle camera (Cycliq Fly6):
These are just a small number of very good reasons to ride with a bike camera mounted to your bike. All of the above scenarios could have been resolved more effectively and more quickly had the cyclist been riding with a video camera. They say that the streets of any decent sized city are as close to a “jungle” as we can get when we ride our bikes through them. In fact, you will often hear it described as surviving the “urban jungle.” I believe that surviving the urban jungle comes down to several different issues that can each help protect us as cyclists. Some of them include knowing and following the traffic rules in the jurisdiction that you ride. It may be riding more defensively and more aware of others around you. It could also be important to dress in colors that are contrasting and easy to see. Another is to ride with bike lights day or night, and then of course be sure ot get the ones that blink with a non uniform pattern. All of these are important, but this article will focus on how helpful/important it is to ride with video cameras on your bike.
Cycliq Fly12 1080p HD Action Camera and 400 Lumen Bicycle Light
A video camera canon your bicycle can clear up a ton of unanswered questions or misguided perceptions of what really happened if you get in a wreck. It can capture the bad behavior of both the cyclist and the motorist. In fact, I believe that riding with a video camera heightens your own sense of awareness as a cyclist and you are more inclined to follow the traffic rules. Even just recently I was reviewing some video footage form my rear facing video camera and back light combo unit (the Fly6 by Cycliq) and noticed that I was riding very close to the white line of the bike lane and that some of my friends were crossed over it. During our next ride I made more conscious efforts to be entirely inside the bike lane.
Traditionally the only camera really out there has been the GoPro. The GoPro has an incredible amount of features and capabilities that are certainly not limited to cycling. But then you have to know how to use them or you can end up wasting some money. The upside to the GoPro in my opinion is that it is so versatile in its uses and mounting locations that you can literally capture as much footage from as many different angles as possible. The downside, that every time you use a GoPro, or really any other video camera, you are mounting more and more cameras on your bike. This can add weight to your bike and significantly increase your drag and can be pretty costly.
If you are into effective and simple solutions like me then you would probably fall in love with my new favorite bike light + video camera combo unit. Cycliq has just released a pair of bike lights that are also video cameras. Yep, that’s right, your bike light can also be a video camera. No need for mounting a billion things to your bike. They have a forward facing 400 lumen light and 1080p HD camera unit called the Fly12. And then they have the rear facing 720p HD action camera and bike light called the Fly6. Together these bike lights have your back and your front! They are offer incredible video quality and astoundingly long lasting battery life.
Cycliq Fly6 – Rear facing 720p HD Action Camera and Bicycle Light
My absolute favorite part about the Cycliq Fly 12 or Fly6 is that I just simply charge them and use them like bike lights. They just happen to also be recording everything as I ride. They have continuous loop recording technology so you never have to worry about your sd card maxing out on memory and your video footage just stopping. It simply starts recording the older footage and keeps going. This way you just charge it like your typical bike light and use it every ride like normal. Only remove your sd car or plug your light into your computer when you want to pull off the footage and review it.
The Fly12 forward facing light also integrates into strava and can display your speed, heart rate, and other info in the bottom of the video screen. Pretty cool. Plus the Fly 12 has an app for you to connect to it from your smart phone and edit settings or even preview footage. Just dang cool.
Now I ride with the Fly12 and Fly6 every ride as my bike lights. I simply charge them like my old lights and I’m off for my ride knowing that I have video footage in front and back. So cool.
You can review all of the facts, technical data, and even sample video footage on their website at: https://cycliq.com/
Arizona bicycle crash and bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
A bicycle crash is not always an accident. If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle crash or accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, 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 also founded Bike Accident Attorneys Network, a national network of attorneys who focus on representing cyclists. Ben can find you help anywhere in the country.
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. Having competed in 8 Ironman triathlons, numerous local and national cycling races, and a successful finish in the Race Across the West, 2016, he really knows what it is like to ride and race a 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.
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.
Recently I had the great opportunity to demo a brand new Cervelo S3. Thanks to a local bike shop, Two Wheel Jones Gilbert Store, I enjoyed about 2 hard rides on a Cervelo S3. And yes, I “enjoyed” the experience. I Seriously doubted if I would ever be a Cervelo fan… and then I rode the 2016 S3 with Ultegra Di2.
My friend and owner of the Gilbert location of Two Wheel Jones bike shop, Larry DeMik, swore by this bike. He and his whole staff believe they are some of the best bikes ever built. He offered a demo opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I always secretly and often overtly hated Cervelo. I haven’t been the biggest fan of their color scheme, and then of course there is the glaring issue of everyone seems to have one. I started my love affair with bicycles in the triathlon scene. It seemed like the overwhelming percentage of bikes at Ironman were Cervelo. Those who know me know that I march to the beat of my own drum. Riding a bike everyone else has is not high on “my favorite things to do” list. So over the years I just grew this subtle and sometimes not so subtle resentment and disgust against Cervelo. I know they make good bikes. But to me that wasn’t the issue, it was they look ugly to me and everyone, and I mean everyone seems to have one.
So in some disbelief with myself I agreed to ride a demo. I was intrigued to see what all the buzz was about. My first ride was on a Saturday morning group ride in preparation for our upcoming LOTOJA race. There was probably about 25 people out on this group ride. It was a lot of fun and I found myself happy as a clam to be among such good friends. The ride itself was hard for me. I am still recovering from some injuries I sustained during the Race Across the West and only recently been able to bike at all. With my resulting fitness in the toilet, the hot Arizona summer sun beating the life out of any cyclist, and my new weightless/dieting habits of late, I felt like I was riding on an empty tank. Just had nothing left to give that Saturday. My HR was out of control even in the draft. I knew I was doomed when I didn’t have any fuel on board and our supposed “aerobic” training ride went anaerobic in the first few minutes.
Cervelo S3 and the Bike Accident Attorneys Truck
Notwithstanding the personal setbacks that can make or break a ride, I was struck by this S3. The most prominent feature of the bike in my mind that Saturday was the electric shifting. Whoa! It was shifting like a hot knife through butter with extreme surgical precision. It was a difference I could immediately feel and fall in love with. I had never tried electronic shifting before. Every bike I had owned was mechanical with traditional cables, etc. Sadly, I have never experienced so much joy and satisfaction in shifting before this experience and I can confidently say I will never be satisfied with anything but electronic shifting in the future. I have heard the new SRAM eTap is pretty impressive… so far I have only tried Di2 and it was amazing.
I eventually abandoned the group ride and rode home solo trying to keep my HR under better control. In these moments I began to feel other aspects of the bike that I couldn’t notice before since I was so enamored by the Di2. The S3 is supposed to be a stiff and aero race bike with some level of comfort above and beyond it’s older and faster brother the Cervelo S5. According to studies, the S3 is only 4 watts slower in wind tunnel testing than the S5 and yet it offers more comfort. 4 watts? That is definitely a small enough number that the average cyclist can’t even tell a difference. To be honest, I didn’t notice the comfort part of the S3. It is a stiff and fast aero bike. Comfort is not really what a bike like the S3 is known for. I can imagine the S5 comparing out on the speed side of things as equally fast and more uncomfortable… Just a guess – I have not tried an S5 yet.
On Monday morning I took it out again for the last time. I did about a 40 mile ride with some hard interval work mixed in. Towards the end of the ride my coach had instructed me to do some seated sprinting drills. This is where I felt this bike excel. Even hurt, fat and out of shape I was able to keep up or beat other cyclists on the ride that day. This bike was undoubtedly fast. It was then that I realized Cervelo isn’t all that bad. 😉 But seriously, the first ride I felt horrible and was more enthralled with the Di2 than anything else. On the second ride I paid closer attention to the bike itself and what it could or couldn’t do. The S3 is definitely not your best climbing bike – although it can climb as good as you can pedal it; but rather the S3 is designed for speed work. It is a fast bike. It gets up to speed and stays up to speed seemingly easily. When combined with the Di2 you end up with a flawlessly shifting race machine. I admit, I must eat some crow here. The S3 was a great bike and a very fun bike to ride.
Not sure I would recommend a bike like this for long distance ultra cycling. But for the casual or semi enthusiastic cyclist who wants to be fast over shorter distances, this bike is likely one of the better bikes you can get for the money. I believe they are between $5k-$6k out the door at MSRP with Ultegra Di2. That is pretty impressive.
I will say this though, if I ever own a Cervelo, it will likely be the S3. But before it comes to my house that thing needs to be painted in a high vis or fluorescent yellow. The plain blakc with red accents is the only color that bike comes in and I am definitely into the bright neon colors. Overall, great bike! Two Thumbs up for sure. Thanks Larry and Two Wheel Jones Gilbert for the opportunity to demo an amazing bike.
Arizona bicycle crash and bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
A bicycle crash is not always an accident. If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle crash or accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, 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 also founded Bike Accident Attorneys Network, a national network of attorneys who focus on representing cyclists. Ben can find you help anywhere in the country.
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. Having competed in 8 Ironman triathlons, numerous local and national cycling races, and a successful finish in the Race Across the West, 2016, he really knows what it is like to ride and race a 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.
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.
Everyone who knows me knows I am by no stretch of the imagination good at cycling. However, I do love it and have been around the block a time or two. I have loved riding and racing bicycles for several years now and have a wall of race numbers, jerseys, and medals to show some of my experience. This background leads those newer cyclists I come across to to ask questions. I love answering questions as it causes me to think about it and really come up with as good an answer as I am capable of. Typically asking a pro cyclist or even better a pro cycling coach is the approach I would take…
I have had quite a few questions lately about cadence and why its so important or what is the optimal cadence. In fact, my dad has recently picked up cycling and has gone so far as to start racing a bit. He has signed up with my team to race LOTOJA this year. He is excited to say the say the least. It was a recent conversation with him that led me to write an email to him and our team about cadence. Thought I’d share it here:
“In today’s LOTOJA training we did some leg speed/cadence drills to increase our leg speed and make some muscle memory and neurological connections to our leg speed. Let me first say that I really don’t know much here. As most of you already know, I am just a fan of cycling and a guy who likes to ride my bike. I am not – nor will I ever be a pro cyclist or a coach. I do enjoy however learning from the various articles, websites, and coaches I have had over the years. So here is a cadence 101 in a nutshell (for more advanced cadence topics you’ll have to hit google). As an aside, I believe watching cadence and heart rate is one of the most important things to be mindful of when riding/training/racing. I have a power meter and I love everything I learn form that. However, the best money a cyclist can invest is in a good cadence sensor and HR monitor. Power meters are great – but you can train amazingly without one.
Ben Dodge Bicycle Lawyer
What is cadence? Cadence = leg speed. Your speed on your bike is equal to the amount of force applied to the pedals multiplied by the amount of revolutions in a given time you can pedal. Thus, in a simple way – the faster you can pedal the faster you can go (gearing of course being very important to this equation).
So what then is the most optimal cadence? That depends. It depends on whether you are climbing, sprinting, descending, etc. Mostly, it depends on you. Wait, what? It depends on me? Yep. There has been some recent research that suggests the most efficient cadence is self selected based on how you feel. However, most of us are too rookie to figure that out. Most pros still rely on coaches to tell them what cadence to pedal at any given time in a race. For most cyclists the optimal cadence is around 88-92 RPM. My coach, Anna, also tells me this. Of course when I climb its understandable for that cadence to drop and she expects a cadence of 75 or higher.
What makes cadence so optimal? Why should I focus on cadence was a cyclist when I ride, train, or race? The answer is awesome. When you are pedaling at a slower rate, i.e. a lower cadence, then you are using more of your muscular system and leg strength to move the pedals. Muscle strength doesn’t last that long and you can end up feeling the burn inside of an hour or less at times. Not sure about that? Go try it out – get on your bike and find a decent hill. Shift into a hard gear and pedal at about 50 RPMs and then see how long before your legs give out. Now try it again another day but shift into an easier gear and spin up the hill at a faster cadence. When doing this you end up using less of your muscular strength and more of your cardio vascular strength. Why should we put more strain on our cardio system rather than our muscular system? Our cardiovascular strength is only limited by it’s capacity not what it has done already. It merely needs oxygen that it then takes and disseminates to all of the muscles. Every ridden hard and taxed your cardio system where you are out of breath, then in a few minutes or hours you are ready to go again? Yep, we all have. Yet, go to the gym and do 200 squats and you’ll be hurting for days in your legs. Every time you try to sit down you will wince in pain.
The point here is that you can be a much more efficient cyclist infinitely capable of more by using your cardio vascular system more than your leg strength. Of course there is need for both! Just be wise by not taxing your legs more than necessary. Be mindful of your cadence and you can go faster longer. In the mean time, build up your cardio capacity (i.e. your aerobic and anaerobic systems) when you ride. Train smart, not just hard. Combining the strength from both your muscular and cardio systems is what makes you a winner.
Hope that helped some of you new to cycling and cadence. Have fun. Train smart. Be safe.
-Ben”
Given how cheap cadence sensors are they ought to be a part of every cyclists’ investment. There truly is no greater data/number to keep track of for the price outside of heart rate. get one and watch your cycling efficiency improve.
Arizona bicycle crash and bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
A bicycle crash is not always an accident. If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle crash or accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, 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 also founded Bike Accident Attorneys Network, a national network of attorneys who focus on representing cyclists. Ben can find you help anywhere in the country.
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. Having competed in 8 Ironman triathlons, numerous local and national cycling races, and a successful finish in the Race Across the West, 2016, he really knows what it is like to ride and race a 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.
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.
Ever have one of those days when you’re riding along in the group ride and you silently pray for more red lights? Or you’re silent expression for a flat tire (a safe flat) so the group has to stop. Yep, me too. In fact, I had one of those days today. So what do you do when you feel like you might be in a cycling slump? Read on…
Having just successfully finished the epic and ridiculously challenging Race Across the West (RAW), my body and maybe part of my heart, is screaming at me to stay in bed and take another day off. RAW was 930.4 grueling but beautiful miles of nearly non stop bike racing. Completing it in approximately 86 hours and with much difficulty, I welcomed a break. The start of this race was at the famous Oceanside pier in CA. The time trial style start was on Tuesday afternoon at about 12pm and cyclists were sent off every 60 seconds. I believe I started around 12:30-ish. It wasn’t until Saturday morning around 2-3am I finally arrived in Durango CO. Finishing RAW meant taking nominal rest breaks for a few minutes here or there and staying on the bike for the duration of the event. The cut off time was 92 hours if you wanted to be counted as an official finisher. It was a wild adventure. Unforgettable to say the least and impacted my life forever.
Completing something challenging can “take it out” of you, so “they” say. “They” – whoever they are – are absolutely right! The longer and harder you train for something the more it demanding it can be. Demanding on your time, your job, your family, your body! The price we pay as athletes, professionals, ultra cyclists, basically whatever you want to excel at – can certainly deplete your operating capital. What do I mean by capital? I mean your literal ability to operate effectively and happily. Both your tangible and intangible capital can be over drawn or so heavily taxed that you find yourself in what many modern philosopher types call a slump.
The infamous SLUMP can be found in your cycling, your relationships, your employment, and really just about anywhere you overdraw your bank account of operating capital. You can hit your slump in the days, weeks, or months of dedicated hard work prior to your main event; or it can creep in the immediate days and weeks following your event.
In my case, I had trained for months and months for RAW. I knew that only a handful or two of cyclists finish this race every year. I wanted to be numbered among the few that have completed it. The months of training took a toll. I often woke up between 3am-4am to squeeze the training miles in before the work day started. My focus on RAW was intense and solidly based in my personal aspirations of finishing. I was persistent, dedicated, and determined beyond an average goal. This was once in a life time for me. This was a bucket list experience. I vowed to do whatever it takes to finish, whatever it takes. So in these training months I paid a price. I made daily deposits into my bank account of me ever increasing my mental toughness for this challenge but also making daily withdrawals of my personal operating capital.
Eventually the race was over (race recap coming soon in separate blog post) and the reality of the price I had paid set in. My personal operating capital was depleted, and maybe even overdrawn. My emotional (one of the intangible forms of capital) capital was bouncing from high to low back to high and then low again. On one hand I was ecstatic that I actually finished RAW. I was one of the few that had toughed it out and made it. On the other hand, my physical injuries and damage (a tangible form of capital) sustained from the race taxed my positive outlook. The physical price I had paid, and 6 weeks later I am still paying, was severe and something I had not quite anticipated.
Ben Dodge during Race Across the West in Monument Valley.
During the race I had developed some significant pulmonary edema and it intensified to where my breathing was so restricted I felt claustrophobic for the first time in my life. I began seeing spots and could hardly gasp a single breath. The intensity of the lack of air came at about 600 miles. But long before that I started paying a much steeper price. The very first night I had started violently throwing up. I mean puking so hard my esophagus declared war on me. Later with the pulmonary edema and the mucus hacking I had wretched so violently in the days leading up to this that I began hacking up blood and my breathing was very very off. In fact, in the couple of days after the race I had passed out 3 times in the shower with complete loss of control over my body. I still remember how scary that felt as each of those episodes crept up and I was defenseless. For the 10 days immediately following the race it hurt to even swallow water. The ER doctors thought I had wretched so badly that I tore my esophagus. Luckily it wasn’t torn, but severely inflamed. Additionally, I lost feeling in my hands after the first 30 hours or so. The rest of the race I couldn’t hardly zip up a zipper let alone grip anything very well. I ended up just resting my hands on the handlebars and hoped for the best. 6 weeks later my hands are still very numb and I have no feeling in my pinky and ring fingers in each of my hands. I can’t even open up a bottle of water at the house without some help from my spouse.
That wasn’t the worst part. I actually lost complete control of my neck muscles right outside of Tuba City Arizona. I had zero ability to hold my head up any longer. This was extremely painful. My faithful crew devised a way to prop my head up with a rolled up blanket jammed under my chin held in place with some medical gauze tied behind my head. This allowed me to continue pedaling and eventually allowed me to finish the race. I rode with this pain for approximately 400+ miles and another 45+ hours. 6 weeks later I still have trouble holding my head for long and I have consistent and daily neck pain. I often go around town or to work with a neck brace. What is my point? My point here is that I paid a heavy and very tangible price. The physical operating capital was very overdrawn. My bank account of me had been depleted, had been overdrawn. I found myself in a cycling slump.
My cycling slump crept up on me. At first I felt (and still feel) justified in my need and desire to stay off the bike to recover. I have many more races on my calendar this year and I need(ed) to recover before I started riding again or I could risk further damage or even prolong my recovery. So with some reasonable feelings of contentment I stayed away from my bike. After all, I had just finished RAW and felt like I deserved a break. It didn’t take long to notice my eating habits grew grossly out of control. My desire to ride had diminished. My ability to ride had vanished thanks to my overdrawn physical capital account. Eventually I noticed something scary… I was in a slump. “How did this happen” I asked myself. I thought for sure that something like this only happened to other people, not to me. I was wrong.
For me, I just decided to ride and keep riding until I rode right out of my slump. My slump was in the form of not riding, so it made sense to me that I should start riding again to correct it. Other slumps may be in the form of riding too much, so perhaps taking a break would help. Other slumps may manifest as a plateau in your training or cycling goals so maybe the solution is to ramp up your intensity and dedication. I have been through many forms of cycling slumps and the proposed solutions seemed to work for me. I would welcome any comments or ideas on your slumps and how you got out. I bet we all hit different cycling slumps, and the more years we ride the more versions of these slumps we will encounter.
Today I couldn’t hardly keep up with the group.It had been 6 weeks since I went on a “real” ride. My fitness is gone. My neck still hurts. And it even rained on us a bit out there. So what, I loved it. I loved being back out there. I loved the group of friends I was riding with. So even though I was breathing like I had never ridden a bike, I was so happy to be out there again. I was secretly hoping for every red light and maybe even for a flat tire because I am so out of shape… but at the end of the day I rode right out my “cycling slump.”
Arizona bicycle crash and bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
A bicycle crash is not always an accident. If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle crash or accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, 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 also founded Bike Accident Attorneys Network, a national network of attorneys who focus on representing cyclists. Ben can find you help anywhere in the country.
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.
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.
Dangerous Crack in the Road “Not Worth Fixing for Cyclists” According to ADOT
Crack in the Road Bicycle Crash
I just ended a telephone call with an adjuster for the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) regarding a bicycle crash my client suffered from a road that was poorly maintained. In fact, this road wasn’t maintained at all. Guess what he told me – as if I was surprised to even hear it: “The cyclist is at fault and should have seen the crack or at the very least been able to handle riding on a road with cracks since we don’t maintain these roads for cyclists. We maintain them for cars. If your cyclist has a problem with the road conditions then he should ride somewhere else.” WHOA! Not really surprised by this anti-cyclist approach to the problem, but still disturbed at his response I dug in and pressed for more of his ridiculous explanations. He went on: “Most of the funding we get is only for motorists. I can’t go around and pay out money to make cyclists whole every time they fall down because of a crack in the road. There are cracks all over and the cars seem to go over them just fine.” It’s as if he was declaring war on cyclists stating if a car can go over the crack so should we, or we should just avoid them by riding around on roads that don’t have cracks.
We have all been riding along a shoulder and have encountered some pretty nasty cracks or broken up sections of road. Most times we somehow navigate those dangerous road conditions with some luck and avoid terrible wrecks. But sometimes, there is nothing we can do and the giant crack in the road appears out of nowhere and instantly we are going head over heels in a full on tumbling session with a now mangled bike and several broken bones. Sometimes road conditions, traffic, road debris, can all appear very suddenly and force us to cross over a dangerous crack with little choice on our part as cyclists. In those moments we find ourselves holding our breaths and praying we survive. Cracks in the road can cause severe physical injury to a cyclist. They are not always avoidable or even seen until its far too late. Worse, many of the cracks seem to only exist in the shoulder area where cyclists are expected” to ride.
Dangerous road conditions for cyclists may not be so dangerous for motorists. However, until ADOT sees that poor road maintenance can lead to more dollars spent on cyclists injuries than on the road maintenance itself then they will continue to ignore the problem or blame the cyclists for it. It’s always about the money. Yes, its always about the money. The ADOT adjuster informed me that he wouldn’t mind fixing the roads if someone paid for it but he definitely minds paying for cyclists who wreck because of the roads – blaming the cyclists for riding on the roads in the first place.
In my client’s case we didn’t take no for an answer. It was a relatively small case with not very many medical bills in injuries. Yet he and I are very aware of the problem here in Arizona with ADOT and took the case for the principle of it to bring more awareness to the poor road conditions that exist throughout the state for cyclists. After originally denying liability they have finally succumbed to pay for all of his medical bills, replace his bicycle, and pay some money into his own pocket for pain and suffering. I doubt the road will be fixed and I’m guessing another cyclist may fall victim to this same road hazard someday. I’m also convinced that ADOT would have spent significantly less on fixing the road than paying out on my client’s claim. How many more of these crack in the road cases will it take before they start paving better roads and better road maintenance? I intend on helping pave the way case by case until we see results.
Arizona bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, 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.
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.
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 badnews, the worse news, and the awesome news:
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.
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.
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.
The lien must be perfected or it is invalid. A.R.S. 33-932
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.
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).
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.
Perfecting 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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. 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.
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.
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.
What’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:
Lance Armstrong would likely have won seven titles anyways.
Illegal EPO use is not worth the risks for the marginal and very questionable performance gains.
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
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. 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.
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.
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.
Originally published by and Courtesy of: http://www.onlineschools.com
Arizona based bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
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. 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.
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.
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!
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:
Arizona based bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
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. 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.
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 – 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: 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.
At 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.
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
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.
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
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. 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.
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 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
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
LOTOJA Finish Line 2015. Left to Right: Ben Dodge, Dean Lewis, Matt Woods.
Arizona based bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
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. 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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TREATING a Saddle Sore:
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.
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
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. 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.
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.
Riding 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
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
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. 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.
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.
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 BicyclesActions 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
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 1.800.958.8902.
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.
By far one of the most frequently asked questions I get asked is: Is it legal to ride my bike on the sidewalk? The answer is is both simple and complicated. Don’t you hate that? Aren’t lawyers famous for not giving straight answers? Jeez. Here is the short and simple answer: Yes it is legal in Arizona to ride your bike on a sidewalk, sometimes, well it depends on what city you are in and if it is specifically prohibited by sign or statute. See what I mean? Its both simple and complicated.
To understand how this really works it is important to remember that under the Arizona Revised Statutes, cyclists operating on the roadway or shoulder must follow the same rules that apply to drivers (see A.R.S. 28-812). Yet, sidewalks ARE NOT part of the roadway or shoulder according to our statutes (see A.R.S. 28-601). And even further, drivers of motor vehicles are expressly forbidden from driving on sidewalks (see A.R.S. 28-904). That is the sum total of State Statutes on the topic. In short, there is no Arizona state law that prohibits or even mentions cycling on sidewalks.
HOLD ON – we are not done yet. Even though there is not a state law that prohibits cycling on a sidewalk, it can still be illegal. “How is that possible?” you ask… Our Arizona Revised Statutes specifically grant local municipalities to further regulate the operation of bicycles (see A.R.S. 28-627). “Oh come on!” you may be thinking… and “how am I supposed to know each little city’s local rules?” That is right. It is sort of a bum deal for the cyclist who rides in a metropolitan area such as Maricopa county which is literally covered by 24 cities and towns which in large part all connect. And to make it worse this doesn’t even account for the towns and cities that are in Pinal county that also border and connect to many of the cities in Maricopa county. It is very possible for a cyclist to go for a ride and cross through 4-10 different cities. And in each case they will have their own unique laws. Whats even more problematic, is that the local law enforcement is often mistaken about the local laws and will issue citations in error against the cyclist.
“Real Life” example – a cyclist in the east valley goes for a standard 25-40 mile ride with some friends starting in Gilbert Arizona. The small group rides through sections of Gilbert and up into Mesa Arizona briefly passing through the ASU area of Tempe Arizona before returning back home through Mesa and then into Arizona. Classic route and often traveled. While in Gilbert the cyclist may ride on the sidewalk so long as there isn’t a sign prohibiting it and may even ride in any direction he/she chooses on the sidewalk. When entering Mesa it is very different. In Mesa you may ride your bike on any sidewalk EXCEPT if a sign is posted prohibiting. The main difference is that the City Traffic Engineer is the only one authorized to erect the signs and only in a specific geographic area labeled the Pedestrian Overlay Area (or POA). Thus, when in Mesa Arizona have at on the sidewalks unless you enter the boundaries of the POA at which point you need to be on the lookout for any signs prohibiting the operation of bicycles on the sidewalks. Its good to know this section of Mesa to avoid any unnecessary citations. Then when headed to Tempe Arizona a cyclist may ride on the sidewalk so long as a sign is not erected which bans sidewalk riding – BUT the cyclist may only ride in the direction of traffic when riding on the sidewalk. Then this same cyclist (now firmly accustomed to the Maricopa county “sign” rules of the various local municipalities) drives down to Tucson to hit up Mt. Lemon or ride/race in the national famous El Tour de Tucson. The cyclist leaves his or her hotel and notices no signage prohibiting sidewalk riding, he/she rides via the sidewalk for a short stretch to get to the start of the route and gets immediately busted by the local cops. Why? Because Tucson simply and absolutely prohibits sidewalk riding UNLESS a sign expressly permits it (see Tucson Municipal code section 5-2). Tucson Arizona – backwards from the rest of the state. It gets confusing right? Yes. Best to know and understand every local community’s rules for operating a bicycle if you wish to avoid a citation, or more importantly to avoid any liability when a car hits you and the officer ends up citing you as the cyclist! When a cyclist is cited, even improperly, the insurance companies adamantly deny paying out any coverage for the accidents. It is an incredible process to get citations reversed or dismissed, police reports edited or amended, and insurance adjustors to change their opinion when they think the cyclist is at fault.
City of Mesa Arizona Pedestrian Overlay Area (POA) Map
How about the even bigger issue that some of you may be asking yourself: “Why wold you ride on the sidewalk anyways?” Great question! I highly recommend that you avoid riding on the sidewalk all together. You are actually far safer to ride in the street with the cars than on the sidewalk! In a 2010 bicycle collision summary report published by the City of Phoenix, it appears that in approximately 70% of the bicycle collisions the cyclist was riding on the sidewalk just before the collision. There have not been these same reports as widely published or produced since 2010. Yet the data seems to remain the same – riding on the sidewalk is far more dangerous than riding appropriately in the streets.
For now, lets just be safe out there on our bikes. Lets be extra cautious as we approach sidewalks, intersections, etc. When deciding to ride on the sidewalk in Arizona I would consult the local municipal codes first to ensure that you are not violating there laws. In Maricopa county you can almost rest easy to know that it is allowed unless there is a sign prohibiting it (with some exceptions of course). Be sure to travel in the right direction and not against the flow of traffic.
Arizona bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
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 1.800.958.8902.
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.
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.
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
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 1.800.958.8902.
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.
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:
The Arizona State specific report card is also below where we only received 42 out of 100 points:
Below 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.
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
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 1.800.958.8902.
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.
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
The 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.
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.
The 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.
A bicycle crash is not always an accident. If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle crash or accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, 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 also founded Bike Accident Attorneys Network, a national network of attorneys who focus on representing cyclists. Ben can find you help anywhere in the country.
