Rise in Bicycle-Related Fatalities Prompts Awareness Push in Vermont

Vermont transportation officials are set to launch an awareness campaign to make Vermont roads safer for bicyclists and motorcyclists.

Vermont Public Radio reports officials are pushing the campaign because of an unusually large number of fatal crashes this year.

One bicyclist was killed in the state over the past decade. But there have been four bicycle-related deaths this year.

Statistics show that about nine motorcyclists are killed every year and Vermont has already reached that number for 2015.

Vermont Highway Safety Alliance Chair Kevin Marshia says he’s concerned about the uptick in fatalities and is pushing motorists to share the road with motorcyclists and bicyclists.

He says his group plans to rally at the Statehouse at the end of the month to kick off the campaign.