How Many Bicycle Deaths Per Year In U.S.? (2025)

Bicycle Deaths Over the Decades

In 1975, there were about 1,000 bicycle deaths, with young males under 20 making up more than 60% of the victims. Over time, this trend shifted dramatically. By 2021, total deaths had dropped slightly to 971, but the majority of fatalities—about 78%—involved males aged 20 and older, reflecting the growing use of bicycles for commuting and recreation among adults. The upward trend continued, with about 1,100 deaths in 2022 and 1,160 in 2023, only about 15% higher than in 1975. While bicycle crashes remain a relatively small share of accidental deaths, each fatality carries profound consequences for families and communities.

Factors Influencing the Trends

Several factors help explain the trends in bicycle fatalities:

• Age distribution: More adults are cycling into their later years, shifting the age profile of victims.
• Urban cycling: Bicycling has grown in popularity in cities, where crowded roads and limited infrastructure increase safety risks.
• Safety improvements: While awareness and safety gear have improved, infrastructure has not always kept pace with the growing number of cyclists.
• Delivery services: Bicycles and e-bikes are now widely used for deliveries. Companies like DoorDash rely on them in many cities, as riders face lower operating costs without fuel or auto insurance expenses.

Legal Options for Bike Crash Victims’ Families

When a bicyclist dies in a crash caused by someone else’s wrongful conduct, their family members or their estate can pursue a wrongful death claim. To prove this claim, a wrongful death lawyer will usually show that the driver acted negligently.

Every driver owes a duty of care to cyclists. Under this duty, a driver must exercise the same degree of caution as an ordinary and reasonably prudent person in the same situation.

Most crashes happen at non-intersection locations. Drivers can negligently cause these crashes by turning left across the path of oncoming bicycles and crowding cyclists while overtaking them.

The family can seek a damage award or settlement for its losses, including the victim’s lost income. In many states, family members can also receive compensation for their emotional distress and grief.

Contact ConsumerShield to Learn More

Understanding how many bicycle deaths occur per year on U.S. roads can give you insight into how to be a safer rider and help you avoid bicycle accidents. However, an average of roughly 1,000 bike deaths per year means that even the most cautious rider can get killed by careless drivers. When this happens, the victim’s family has legal rights.

ConsumerShield can help you connect with a lawyer to guide you through this difficult time. Contact us for a free case evaluation.