It's Boise Bike Week, a week when people are encouraged to strap on their helmets and dust off their cruisers. Groups like the Treasure Valley Cycling Alliance have a whole slew of events planned to get things rolling (ahem).
But according to an extensive report from the Idaho Statesman, biking in Ada County has become more deadly in the past decade. The Statesman analyzed bike and pedestrian crashes since 2004, and found that in 2014 there were 50 "deaths and incapacitating injury crashes." The report also found that while it's more likely cyclists will be struck by cars, pedestrians who are hit in traffic are more likely to die from their injuries.
It's not clear why the number of fatalities has increased, but the Statesman points out a number of possible factors. A bigger population in the county (and therefore increased numbers of drivers, bikers and walkers) -- along with distracted drivers and cyclists/walkers who failed to follow traffic laws -- could all be contributing to the problem.
But despite the rising number of deadly road incidents, the overall number of crashes has declined. Read the full story here, and take the Statesman's quiz to test your roadway safety knowledge.
Find Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill
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