The City of Austin says the number of vehicle crashes involving bikes and pedestrians has gone up over recent years.
In 2012, there were a total of 78 fatal crashes in Austin – a 42 percent increase from 2011. A third of those 78 crashes killed pedestrians. Three were fatal crashes involving bikes.
But, since more people are walking and riding bikes, the city says rate of those collisions involving people walking or biking is down.
The city says that in 2011, the percentage of Austinites commuting by bicycle doubled – from 1 percent to 2 percent. The city hopes to up that to 5 percent by 2020.
The city looked at data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Austin Police Department. The main focus of the report was the years 2005-2012.
The data is being released in conjunction with the kickoff of "National Bike Month." Throughout May, the city is putting on events to encourage more bicycle transportation. Bike to School Day is May 8. Bike to Work Day is May 17.
