Bicycle Accident Statistics Of Most Dangerous U.S. States for Cyclists
Traffic accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. While any vehicle may be involved in a mishap on the road, cyclists tend to face more accidents than other vehicles. If you are a cyclist riding on the streets of the USA, be aware that some states have a higher risk for cycling accidents.
Would you like to know which states have the highest number of bicyclist fatalities? We have compiled a list to help you identify the most dangerous states for cyclists. Additionally, we will provide tips on how to avoid bicycle accidents in these areas. If you plan to enjoy cycling, read our guide and learn how to protect yourself from the risks of cycling fatalities per capita in these dangerous states.
What will you learn by the end of this guide:
- Most dangerous states for cyclists
- Bicycle accident statistics (including cyclist deaths and injuries)
- Tips to prevent cyclist fatalities
- And where you can get help in a difficult situation
Most Dangerous States for Cyclists, According to StreetLight
So, Let's explore the most dangerous states for cyclists together and discuss preventive measures to help avoid bicycle accidents in these areas.
Old Rankings
- Delaware
- South Carolina
- Louisiana
- Florida
- Oklahoma
- New Mexico
- Mississippi
- California
- Arizona
- West Virginia
New Rankings
- Florida
- Delaware
- Louisiana
- South Carolina
- New Mexico
- California
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Oklahoma
- Indiana
Cycling Fatalities and Injury Statistics in the United States
When cycling on the road, it's crucial to exercise caution. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show the trends in cyclist fatalities and injuries over the years.
Bicycle Deaths Statistics
Although cyclist deaths from road crashes decreased by 2.9% between 2018 and 2019, fatalities remained high for the fifth consecutive year. Comparing bike crashes during this period, more than 800 fatalities were recorded. However, the number of deaths dropped significantly to 675 in 2020, likely due to the impact of COVID-19.
Moreover, it's concerning that one-quarter of all cyclist deaths in 2020 resulted from hit-and-run accidents, with the majority of deadly crashes occurring between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Let's take a closer look at the demographics associated with these cycling fatalities to better understand the trends and contributing factors.
Age-wise bicycle accidents
- Only 5% of bicyclist fatalities are children under 14 years old.
- In 2019, 101 people aged 50 to 59 died in bicycle accidents, with 92 of them being men.
- The next-highest numbers were for those aged 60-64 (90 deaths), 50-54 (82 deaths), and 65-69 (80 deaths).
- In total, 353 cyclists aged 50 to 69 died in 2019, 41% of all bicycle fatalities.
Gender-based cycling statistics
- Fatalities among young male cyclists under 20 have significantly decreased from 638 in 1975 to 67 in 2019, now representing only 8% of all cycling deaths.
- Fatalities among men aged 20 and older have risen from 180 to 652 during the same period, accounting for 77% of all cycling deaths.
- Cycling-related deaths among females under 20 dropped from 148 in 1975 to 12 in 2019, making up only 1% of all cycling deaths.
- In 1975, women aged 20 and older accounted for 3% of all cycling deaths with 32 fatalities, but by 2019, this group represented 13% of deaths with 107 fatalities.
- In 2015, 85% of all cycling deaths involved males.
Location
- There was a 49% increase in cyclist fatalities in urban areas from 2010 to 2019.
- During the same decade, cyclist deaths in rural areas increased by 4.6%.
- Louisiana has the lowest cycling deaths per capita, with only 7.3 deaths per 1 million residents.
- In 2020, most cycling deaths happened on arterial roads, 15.6% on highways, and 10.3% in residential areas.
- In 2015, Vermont had the highest percentage of cyclist fatalities at 7%, while West Virginia and Montana had the lowest at 0.4%.
Bicycle Accident Injuries Statistics
The NHTSA's 2019 Report offers data on the injury rate by age and gender.
Age
- In 2019, the most common age groups to have non-fatal injuries in bicycle accidents were children aged 5-14 and adolescents aged 15-20.
- From 2006 to 2015, the average age of cyclists injured in accidents rose from 30 to 35.
- The 15-20 age group also had the highest injury rate at 32 per 100,000, while the injury rate for the 10-14, 21-24, and 25-29 age groups was over 20 per 100,000.
- The lowest number of injuries in 2019 was in the 70-74 age group, with 1,000 injuries.
Gender
- 40,000 male cyclists were injured in total.
- 82% of injured cyclists in 2019 were males.
- In contrast, 9,000 female cyclists were injured.
- The injury rate for males was 25 per 100,000.
- The injury rate for females was 5 per 100,000.
- The highest percentage of injury was among males aged 15-19.
- The lowest percentage of injury was among females aged 35-44.
Location
- City streets in Texas have the highest number of non-fatal injuries for cyclists, accounting for 69% of incidents in 2019.
- In Illinois, urban areas saw 2,353 injuries in 2019, while rural areas only had 27 incidents.
- A study in Vancouver and Toronto discovered that injuries are 5 times more likely to happen at significant intersections (with more than two traffic lanes) than at the corner of two local streets without marked traffic lanes.
- The research also found that risks for cyclists are higher on downhill slopes and traffic circles.
Bicycle Accident Risk Factors
You can face bicycle accidents due to several factors, such as:
- Urban areas tend to be more dangerous for cyclists and can result in bicyclist deaths
- Cycling in highly populated areas may increase the risk of accidents.
- Two-thirds of accidents occur in arterial areas.
- Non-intersection sites can pose a greater risk compared to other locations.
- Alcohol consumption contributes to 37% of pedestrian deaths
- Men are at higher risk of getting into traffic accidents than women.
- Bicyclist fatalities often happen during the warm weather months of May through August.
Preventing Fatal Bicycle Accidents: Bicycle Safety Tips for Riders
- Avoid crashes and reduce fall-related accidents by wearing helmets.
- Signal turns using hand gestures.
- Ride with traffic on the right side of the road.
- Wear bright clothing and reflectors for visibility.
- Equip your bike with a white front light and red rear light.
- Ensure a properly fitting helmet and the right bike size.
- Maintain your bike for safe riding.
- Stay focused and avoid distractions like headphones.
- Tuck in pants and shoelaces to prevent entanglement.
- Utilize bike lanes whenever possible, avoiding sidewalks.
Bicycle Accident in Orange County: We Are Here to Help
In case of injuries or fatal accidents, it is crucial to seek legal assistance to understand your rights and navigate the situation effectively.
Bike Legal offers legal services exclusively to cyclists involved in bicycle accidents. Our team of attorneys specializes in representing bicycle accident victims and is dedicated to helping you secure the compensation you deserve. We are committed to advocating for your best interests and ensuring the most favorable outcome possible.
if you've been involved in a cycling accident, don't hesitate to contact Bike Legal at 877-245-3534 for a free consultation. With our experience and expertise, we can guide you through the legal system and help you obtain the justice you deserve.
FAQs
Which State Has The Most Bicycle Accidents?
Florida has the highest rate of fatal bike accidents per 100,000 people compared to all other states. However, the rate has experienced a decrease of 16.8% nationwide.
Where Do Most Bicycle Accident Deaths Occur?
The majority of fatalities from bicycle accidents occur in urban areas. Additionally, half of those who lose their lives in such accidents are individuals who are not easily visible or difficult to see in traffic.
