How safe is cycling? This article presents statistics on bicycle accidents in the US and California, highlighting the dangers cyclists face and the importance of awareness and prevention.
Bicycle accidents are on the rise. Learn how to protect yourself and stay safe on the road.
Beyond the physical pain, bicycle accidents often lead to a mountain of medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing rehabilitation costs. Many cyclists are self-employed or work in jobs that don’t offer paid sick leave. A serious accident can quickly drain your savings and leave you struggling to make ends meet. The financial stress can be as debilitating as the injuries themselves.
Everyone who rides a bike on roadways in the Bay area and throughout the United States should be aware of the risks of accidents and injuries. However, many people may not realize just how many bicyclists are injured while riding. If you are going to ride a bike, you should be aware of the risk factors and the prevalence of crashes so you can take necessary precautions to avoid injuries.
Nationwide Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, traffic-related fatalities have decreased significantly over the past decade, with 10,000 fewer people killed in traffic collisions in 2013 than in 2004. However, bicycle accident fatalities have increased in the same period, from 727 bicyclists killed in 2004 and 743 dying in 2013.
That long-term rise has continued. In recent years, bicycle deaths in motor vehicle crashes have reached record highs, including 1,105 fatalities in 2022 and 1,166 in 2023. Preventable bicycle deaths also increased by 53 percent between 2014 and 2023, showing that the risks facing riders remain serious.
This indicates that while safety measures have increased regarding motor vehicles, the same measures may not have been taken regarding sharing the road between cars and bicycles. In addition to the 2013 fatalities, 48,000 more bicyclists sustained injuries in a crash with a motor vehicle.
Non-fatal injuries are also a major concern. Each year, bicycle crashes lead to an estimated 120,000 to 130,000 emergency department visits across the United States. Even though bicycle trips account for only about 1 percent of all trips nationwide, bicyclists make up roughly 2.9 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities.
California Bicyclists are at a High Risk
California routinely has the highest number of bicycle-related fatalities of any state in the United States. In fact, of the 743 nationwide deaths in 2013, almost 20 percent of those occurred in the state of California. While the number of bicyclists who were fatally injured did decrease to 128 in 2014, the state is still leading in deadly bicycle accidents.
In addition, reports indicated that San Francisco was a rare city in which the number of bicycle-related fatalities had increased over recent years and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition called for greater safety measures to eliminate traffic-related bicycle accidents.
Risk Factors for Bicyclists
Risk factors for bicycle accidents, injuries, and fatalities can be varied.
Here are some NHTSA statistics related to bicycle accidents and risk factors:
- Bicyclists ages 20 to 24 years had the highest rate of injury in accidents.
- Bicyclists aged 55 to 59 years had the highest rate of fatal accidents.
- The majority of serious bicycle accidents happened in urban areas (68 percent) versus rural areas (32 percent).
- 57 percent of accidents happened outside of intersections, 34 percent of accidents occurred at an intersection, and 9 percent happened in other, unspecified locations.
- The time with the most bicycle accidents was 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
- 83 percent of bicyclists killed and/or injured in accidents were male riders.
- Approximately 24 percent of bicyclists who died in accidents had alcohol in their system and 20 percent had a blood alcohol content (BAC) over the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
- 464 riders who were killed in 2013 were not wearing helmets.
More recent data shows these same patterns have become even clearer. Males now account for nearly 90 percent of bicycle fatalities. Adults ages 55 to 64 continue to face the highest fatality rates, while adolescents ages 10 to 14 have some of the highest rates of non-fatal injuries. The average age of bicyclists killed has also risen to 49, which shows that the danger is not limited to young or inexperienced riders.
Location also plays a major role in crash risk. Roughly 83 percent to 90 percent of bicyclist fatalities now occur in urban areas, and most fatal crashes happen at non-intersection locations, where vehicle speeds are often higher and drivers may be less likely to expect a cyclist.
Timing matters as well. While 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm remains one of the most dangerous periods for riders, fatalities also peak during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours when visibility is lower. Warmer months, especially from July through October, also tend to see more bicycle deaths because more people are riding.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Many bicycle crashes happen because a driver or cyclist has too little time to react. Common contributing factors include unsafe speed, improper turning, and failure to yield the right-of-way. Visibility is another major issue. In about one-third of fatal overtaking crashes, drivers reported that they did not see the bicyclist before impact. Alcohol is also a serious factor, with alcohol involvement by either the driver or the cyclist playing a role in more than one-third of fatal crashes.
Helmet Use and Injury Prevention
Helmet use can reduce the severity of head injuries, but many fatal crashes still involve riders without helmets. More recent data found that in 2022, 62 percent of bicyclists killed were not wearing a helmet. While helmets cannot prevent every serious injury, wearing one, using bike lights and reflectors, following traffic laws, and staying visible in low-light conditions can all help reduce the risk of a devastating crash.
While the above bicycle statistics do show certain trends and risk factors both in California and throughout the United States, it is important to remember that a crash between a bicycle and a car can occur under almost any circumstances. For this reason, you should always be highly aware of your surroundings when riding your bicycle in the Bay Area or anywhere else.
The statistics paint a clear picture: bicycle accidents are a serious concern, and cyclists face significant risks on the road. By being aware of these dangers, taking precautions, and advocating for safer cycling infrastructure, we can all contribute to reducing the number of bicycle-related injuries and fatalities.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, don’t hesitate to contact GJEL Accident Attorneys for a free consultation and speak with an experienced cycling accident lawyer who can explain your rights and compensation options.
