How Many Bicycle Deaths Per Year Occur On U.S. Roads?

Bike fatalities have remained remarkably steady over the past 50 years. Learn how many bicycle deaths per year occur and what rights their families have.

Sarah Edwards

Contributor

Reviewed By Adam Ramirez, J.D.

Editor

July 26, 2024 Read in 3 mins

Data

Number of Bicycle Deaths Per Year In U.S. (1975-2022)

www.consumershield.com

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Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Research

Overview of How Many Bikers Die a Year Over the Decades
How Many Bicycle Deaths per Year Based on Age and Usage Patterns
Factors Influencing the Trends
Legal Options for Bike Crash Victims’ Families
Contact ConsumerShield to Learn More

Summary

Bicycle deaths increased only 7.7% between 1975 and 2022

Working-age males are the most common victims of fatal bike crashes

These deaths create economic hardship for their surviving family members

Overview of How Many Bikers Die a Year Over the Decades

In 1975, there were 1,003 bicycle deaths, providing a starting point to track changes in bicycle safety. At first, young males under 20 were the majority of victims, making up over 60% of the deaths. But over the years, this has changed dramatically, and now most bicycle deaths involve males aged 20 and older.

How Many Bicycle Deaths per Year Based on Age and Usage Patterns

By 2021, bicycle deaths dropped slightly to 971, but the age distribution of those deaths changed significantly. Now, males aged 20 and older make up 78% of these fatalities, a large increase from earlier years. This change points to more adults using bicycles for commuting and recreation.

Bicycle deaths rose in 2022 to 1,080. This number continued a multi-year upward trend. However, the total deaths in 2022 are only about 7.7% higher than 1975’s total. While bicycle crashes are not a leading cause of accidental death, fatal bicycle accidents can have a significant impact on the families of victims.

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Factors Influencing the Trends

Several factors influence the trends in how many bikers die a year. As people get older, more adults are cycling into their later years. Cycling has also become more popular in cities, where crowded roads and less-than-ideal infrastructure can pose safety risks. Although safety gear and awareness have improved, city infrastructure hasn’t always kept up with the growing number of cyclists.

Bicycles and e-bikes have also become significant modes of delivering goods. DoorDash and other delivery services include bicycle delivery as an option in many cities. Bicycle delivery riders have lower operating costs since they do not need to pay for auto insurance or fuel.

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 per year occur on U.S. roads can give you insight into how to be a safer rider. 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.