The Top 5 U.S. States with the Most Cyclist Traffic Fatalities

An overview of Cyclist Fatalities in the U.S.

In 2018, 857 cyclists were killed in the United States. An additional 47,000 cyclists were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Pedalcyclist deaths accounted for 2 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities and made up 2 percent of the people injured in traffic crashes during the year. (a.)

The number of pedalcyclists that were killed in 2018, is 9% higher than the 623 pedalcyclists killed in 2010. Alcohol involvement was reported in more than 37 percent of all fatal pedalcyclist crashes in 2018.(a.)

Where Do Cyclist Fatalities Occur?

The majority of pedalcyclist fatalities in the United States in 2018 occurred in urban areas (79%) and at non-intersections (60%). 21% of cyclist deaths occurred in rural areas. 50% of cyclist fatalities occurred in the dark or darkening hours of the day. Most of these fatalities, 201 (30%), occurred between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. The second highest number of fatalities, 142 (21%), occurred between the hours of 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. The fewest pedalcyclist fatalities occurred between the hours of midnight and 3:59 a.m. (a.)

Cyclist Deaths in the U.S. By Gender

Most pedalcyclists killed or injured in 2018, as in other years, were males (85% and 78%, respectively). The highest number of male fatalities were between the ages of 45–54 (130), and the most males injured were between 16–20 (6,000). In 2018, the U.S. pedalcyclist fatality rate per capita was almost six times higher for males than for females, and the injury rate per capita was almost four times higher for males. (a.)

Cyclist Deaths in the U.S. By Age

The average age of pedalcyclists killed in traffic crashes was 47. During the past 10 years, there has been a steady increase in the average age of pedalcyclists killed and injured on American roads. Pedalcyclists ages 55-to-59 had the highest fatality rate based on population, however, the highest injury rate (380) occurred in the 16–20 age group. The age group 16 and younger accounted for 10 percent of all pedalcyclists killed and 19 percent of all those injured in traffic crashes in 2018, compared to 23 percent of those killed and 39 percent of those injured in 2002. (a.)

Alcohol Impairment and Cyclist Deaths

Alcohol was a factor in 37% of all traffic accidents that resulted in a cyclist death in 2018. 75% of cyclists that were killed in a traffic accident were not drinking alcohol at the time, whereas 20% of cyclists killed that did have alcohol in their blood, had a blood alcohol level of: .08+ g/dL.

The Type of Vehicle Involved

1. U.S. Department of Transportation: National Highway Traffic Safety Association. (2011). Traffic Safety Facts: "Bicyclists and Other Cyclists". Please visit the source here