GITNUXREPORT 2026

Bicycle Accident Statistics

Cyclist deaths have risen sharply in the US and remain a serious global problem.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Intersection left-turn crashes cause 40% of US cyclist fatalities.

Statistic 2

Driver failure to yield accounts for 52% of bike-motor vehicle crashes per NHTSA.

Statistic 3

Alcohol impairment involved in 29% of US bicyclist deaths 2016-2020.

Statistic 4

Nighttime conditions contribute to 40% of cyclist fatalities in US.

Statistic 5

In urban areas, 70% of cyclist crashes involve no motor vehicle.

Statistic 6

Speeding vehicles implicated in 25% of fatal bike crashes in California.

Statistic 7

Doorings cause 10-15% of urban cyclist injuries in NYC.

Statistic 8

In UK, 42% of cyclist casualties at non-junction locations.

Statistic 9

Distracted driving causes 16% of bike crashes per AAA study.

Statistic 10

Right-hook maneuvers responsible for 20% of EU cyclist fatalities.

Statistic 11

Poor road maintenance leads to 8% of cyclist falls in Australia.

Statistic 12

In Netherlands, 30% of serious cyclist crashes involve trucks.

Statistic 13

Head-on collisions account for 12% of US rural bike fatalities.

Statistic 14

Cyclist errors like wrong-way riding in 18% of crashes per Florida DOT.

Statistic 15

Adverse weather contributes to 15% of seasonal bike accidents in Canada.

Statistic 16

Large trucks cause 15% of cyclist deaths despite 4% of vehicles.

Statistic 17

Phone distraction in cyclists leads to 5% of single-vehicle crashes.

Statistic 18

In Germany, 25% of bike crashes at roundabouts.

Statistic 19

DUI drivers hit cyclists in 20% of nighttime fatalities in Texas.

Statistic 20

Potholes and debris cause 22% of non-collision bike injuries in UK.

Statistic 21

Rear-end shunts from cars: 10% of overtaking cyclist crashes in Sweden.

Statistic 22

Signalized intersections: 35% of serious cyclist injuries in Portland.

Statistic 23

E-bike higher speeds contribute to 28% more severe crashes per study.

Statistic 24

In France, 40% of cyclist-truck crashes due to blind spots.

Statistic 25

No lights/reflectors on bike: 60% of dark-condition fatalities.

Statistic 26

Wide outside lanes reduce cyclist crash risk by 50% per IIHS.

Statistic 27

Males account for 88% of US bicyclist fatalities from 2017-2021.

Statistic 28

Children aged 10-14 represent 15% of cyclist injuries in the US annually.

Statistic 29

In the UK, 74% of cyclist casualties are male aged 16-59.

Statistic 30

Adults 45-54 years old have the highest cyclist fatality rate in Australia.

Statistic 31

Females comprise only 12% of cyclist deaths in California 2016-2020.

Statistic 32

Teens 15-19 make up 20% of non-fatal cyclist injuries in Canada.

Statistic 33

In Germany, 25% of cyclist fatalities are over 75 years old.

Statistic 34

Urban cyclists aged 25-34 have 2.5 times higher injury risk than rural.

Statistic 35

Black cyclists in US have 40% higher fatality rate per capita than whites.

Statistic 36

In Netherlands, males 30-50 account for 40% of serious cyclist crashes.

Statistic 37

Seniors over 65 represent 22% of cyclist deaths in Sweden.

Statistic 38

Hispanic cyclists in Florida fatalities rose 30% from 2015-2020.

Statistic 39

Children under 10 are 30% of helmet non-users in US accidents.

Statistic 40

In UK, 16-20 year olds have highest cyclist casualty rate per km.

Statistic 41

Females in Australia suffer 28% more head injuries in bike crashes.

Statistic 42

US males 25-34 have 3x fatality rate of females same age.

Statistic 43

In Japan, elderly cyclists over 70 are 50% of fatalities.

Statistic 44

Low-income neighborhoods in NYC have 2x cyclist death rate.

Statistic 45

In Canada, males 20-24 have highest hospitalization rate for bike injuries.

Statistic 46

White cyclists 85% of US fatalities despite 70% population share.

Statistic 47

In Denmark, women 40-60 see rising cyclist injury rates by 15% yearly.

Statistic 48

Rural males under 18 in Texas have high off-road crash rates.

Statistic 49

In France, 35% of cyclist fatalities are pedestrians colliding with bikes.

Statistic 50

Asian cyclists in California lowest fatality demographic at 5%.

Statistic 51

UK pensioners over 70: 18% of cyclist serious injuries.

Statistic 52

In Portland, bike messengers 18-25 have 4x injury rate.

Statistic 53

In 2021, the United States recorded 1,105 bicyclist fatalities, a 13.4% increase from 976 in 2020.

Statistic 54

Globally, approximately 41,000 cyclists die annually in traffic accidents according to WHO estimates for 2016.

Statistic 55

In the EU-27 countries, there were 1,779 cyclist fatalities in 2020, representing 7.5% of all road deaths.

Statistic 56

California reported 224 bicycle fatalities in 2021, the highest in the US.

Statistic 57

From 2018-2020, the US cyclist fatality rate per billion miles traveled increased by 28%.

Statistic 58

New York City had 30 cyclist deaths in 2022, up from 22 in 2021.

Statistic 59

In Australia, cyclist deaths averaged 36 per year from 2013-2022.

Statistic 60

UK recorded 91 cyclist fatalities in 2022, a 5% increase from 2021.

Statistic 61

Canada saw 222 cyclist injuries per 100,000 population in 2019.

Statistic 62

Netherlands had a cyclist fatality rate of 1.37 per million inhabitants in 2021.

Statistic 63

Florida reported 167 bicycle crashes per 100,000 population in 2020.

Statistic 64

Between 1975-2021, US bicyclist deaths increased by 148% while vehicle miles traveled rose less.

Statistic 65

In 2022, Germany had 441 cyclist fatalities and serious injuries.

Statistic 66

Portland, Oregon, experienced 12 cyclist fatalities from 2011-2021.

Statistic 67

Sweden's cyclist accident rate is 45 per million km cycled annually.

Statistic 68

In 2019, India estimated 4,000 cyclist deaths on roads.

Statistic 69

Chicago had 25 cyclist crashes resulting in death or serious injury in 2022.

Statistic 70

From 2000-2019, global cyclist fatalities decreased by 25% in high-income countries.

Statistic 71

Texas recorded 145 bicyclist deaths in 2021.

Statistic 72

Denmark's urban areas see 150 cyclist injuries per 100,000 daily trips.

Statistic 73

In 2020, Philadelphia had a cyclist fatality rate of 4.2 per 100,000 cyclists.

Statistic 74

Brazil reported 1,200 cyclist deaths in 2019.

Statistic 75

From 2016-2020, US bicycle-motor vehicle crashes totaled 128,000 annually.

Statistic 76

Belgium had 89 cyclist deaths in 2022.

Statistic 77

Minneapolis reported 8 severe cyclist injuries per year average 2018-2022.

Statistic 78

South Africa estimates 500 cyclist fatalities yearly.

Statistic 79

In 2021, Washington state had 41 cyclist fatalities.

Statistic 80

Finland's cyclist accident rate is 22 per billion km in 2021.

Statistic 81

Boston saw 15 cyclist deaths from 2014-2023.

Statistic 82

In 2022, France recorded 231 cyclist fatalities.

Statistic 83

Head injuries comprise 60% of cyclist fatalities without helmets.

Statistic 84

US sees 467,000 emergency visits for bike injuries yearly.

Statistic 85

Traumatic brain injuries in 75% of fatal cyclist crashes.

Statistic 86

Upper limb fractures: 25% of cyclist hospital admissions in UK.

Statistic 87

In Australia, 40% of serious cyclist injuries are torso/abdomen.

Statistic 88

Spinal injuries in 15% of high-speed urban bike collisions.

Statistic 89

Children cyclist concussions: 85,000 annually in US ERs.

Statistic 90

Lower leg fractures most common non-head injury at 20%.

Statistic 91

Fatalities up 40% in states without bike helmet laws.

Statistic 92

In EU, 30% of cyclist fatalities from thorax trauma.

Statistic 93

Arm/hand injuries: 35% of all cyclist ER visits in Canada.

Statistic 94

Facial fractures in 18% of unhelmeted cyclist crashes.

Statistic 95

Average hospital stay for severe cyclist injury: 7.2 days in Germany.

Statistic 96

Internal organ damage in 12% of car-bike collision fatalities.

Statistic 97

Neck injuries doubled with e-bike accidents per Dutch study.

Statistic 98

Pelvic fractures: 10% of adult cyclist serious injuries.

Statistic 99

Vision impairment post-crash in 5% of hospitalized cyclists.

Statistic 100

In NYC, 50% of cyclist fatalities involve head trauma.

Statistic 101

Cost of cyclist injuries: $11 billion annually in US medical.

Statistic 102

Quadriplegia from bike crashes: 2% of spinal cases.

Statistic 103

Dental injuries in 8% of facial impact cyclist accidents.

Statistic 104

Long-term disability in 25% of severe cyclist trauma cases.

Statistic 105

Hip fractures common in elderly cyclists: 30% of their injuries.

Statistic 106

Abrasion/lacerations: 40% of minor cyclist ER presentations.

Statistic 107

Helmet reduces severe brain injury by 69% per Cochrane review.

Statistic 108

Bike lanes reduce cyclist injury risk by 47% in US cities.

Statistic 109

Protected intersections cut crashes by 28% per Portland study.

Statistic 110

Visibility vests reduce nighttime fatalities by 45% in Sweden.

Statistic 111

Helmet laws for kids reduce head injuries by 35% in states.

Statistic 112

Cycle tracks lower fatality risk by 89% vs parallel roads.

Statistic 113

Lights on bikes cut dark-hour crashes by 19% in UK trials.

Statistic 114

Education programs reduce youth bike injuries by 25%.

Statistic 115

Roundabouts reduce cyclist crashes by 40% vs signals.

Statistic 116

Hi-vis clothing lowers risk 50% in daylight per Queensland study.

Statistic 117

Bike boxes at signals decrease right-hook by 75%.

Statistic 118

Mandatory helmets save 180 lives yearly in Australia.

Statistic 119

Shared space designs reduce injuries 30% in Netherlands.

Statistic 120

Speed humps cut cyclist speeds 20%, reducing fall severity.

Statistic 121

Adult helmet promotion increases usage to 60%, cuts deaths 40%.

Statistic 122

Contra-flow lanes safe with signs, 90% compliance.

Statistic 123

Truck side guards prevent 60% under-ride cyclist deaths.

Statistic 124

Bike radars warn of vehicles, reduce risky maneuvers 35%.

Statistic 125

School bike safety curricula lower child crash rates 14%.

Statistic 126

Protected bike lanes increase cycling 200%, injuries per trip down 50%.

Statistic 127

Alcohol interlocks for DUI reduce recidivism 65%, aiding cyclist safety.

Statistic 128

E-bike speed limiters reduce severe injuries 22% in EU pilots.

Statistic 129

Community bike audits identify 80% of high-risk spots.

Statistic 130

Fluorescent wheel strips improve visibility 3x at night.

Statistic 131

Bicycle ASSured program cuts teen injuries 30%.

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As one of the most vulnerable travelers on our roads, a cyclist's safety is increasingly in peril, with staggering new data revealing a 13.4% spike in U.S. bicyclist fatalities in 2021 as part of a troubling global trend.

Key Takeaways

In 2021, the United States recorded 1,105 bicyclist fatalities, a 13.4% increase from 976 in 2020.
Globally, approximately 41,000 cyclists die annually in traffic accidents according to WHO estimates for 2016.
In the EU-27 countries, there were 1,779 cyclist fatalities in 2020, representing 7.5% of all road deaths.
Males account for 88% of US bicyclist fatalities from 2017-2021.
Children aged 10-14 represent 15% of cyclist injuries in the US annually.
In the UK, 74% of cyclist casualties are male aged 16-59.
Intersection left-turn crashes cause 40% of US cyclist fatalities.
Driver failure to yield accounts for 52% of bike-motor vehicle crashes per NHTSA.
Alcohol impairment involved in 29% of US bicyclist deaths 2016-2020.
Head injuries comprise 60% of cyclist fatalities without helmets.
US sees 467,000 emergency visits for bike injuries yearly.
Traumatic brain injuries in 75% of fatal cyclist crashes.
Helmet reduces severe brain injury by 69% per Cochrane review.
Bike lanes reduce cyclist injury risk by 47% in US cities.
Protected intersections cut crashes by 28% per Portland study.

Cyclist deaths have risen sharply in the US and remain a serious global problem.

Causes and Risk Factors

Intersection left-turn crashes cause 40% of US cyclist fatalities.
Driver failure to yield accounts for 52% of bike-motor vehicle crashes per NHTSA.
Alcohol impairment involved in 29% of US bicyclist deaths 2016-2020.
Nighttime conditions contribute to 40% of cyclist fatalities in US.
In urban areas, 70% of cyclist crashes involve no motor vehicle.
Speeding vehicles implicated in 25% of fatal bike crashes in California.
Doorings cause 10-15% of urban cyclist injuries in NYC.
In UK, 42% of cyclist casualties at non-junction locations.
Distracted driving causes 16% of bike crashes per AAA study.
Right-hook maneuvers responsible for 20% of EU cyclist fatalities.
Poor road maintenance leads to 8% of cyclist falls in Australia.
In Netherlands, 30% of serious cyclist crashes involve trucks.
Head-on collisions account for 12% of US rural bike fatalities.
Cyclist errors like wrong-way riding in 18% of crashes per Florida DOT.
Adverse weather contributes to 15% of seasonal bike accidents in Canada.
Large trucks cause 15% of cyclist deaths despite 4% of vehicles.
Phone distraction in cyclists leads to 5% of single-vehicle crashes.
In Germany, 25% of bike crashes at roundabouts.
DUI drivers hit cyclists in 20% of nighttime fatalities in Texas.
Potholes and debris cause 22% of non-collision bike injuries in UK.
Rear-end shunts from cars: 10% of overtaking cyclist crashes in Sweden.
Signalized intersections: 35% of serious cyclist injuries in Portland.
E-bike higher speeds contribute to 28% more severe crashes per study.
In France, 40% of cyclist-truck crashes due to blind spots.
No lights/reflectors on bike: 60% of dark-condition fatalities.
Wide outside lanes reduce cyclist crash risk by 50% per IIHS.

Causes and Risk Factors Interpretation

If you take a left at an intersection, ride at night, or trust a driver to actually look, you're statistically auditioning for the starring role in a preventable tragedy.

Demographics

Males account for 88% of US bicyclist fatalities from 2017-2021.
Children aged 10-14 represent 15% of cyclist injuries in the US annually.
In the UK, 74% of cyclist casualties are male aged 16-59.
Adults 45-54 years old have the highest cyclist fatality rate in Australia.
Females comprise only 12% of cyclist deaths in California 2016-2020.
Teens 15-19 make up 20% of non-fatal cyclist injuries in Canada.
In Germany, 25% of cyclist fatalities are over 75 years old.
Urban cyclists aged 25-34 have 2.5 times higher injury risk than rural.
Black cyclists in US have 40% higher fatality rate per capita than whites.
In Netherlands, males 30-50 account for 40% of serious cyclist crashes.
Seniors over 65 represent 22% of cyclist deaths in Sweden.
Hispanic cyclists in Florida fatalities rose 30% from 2015-2020.
Children under 10 are 30% of helmet non-users in US accidents.
In UK, 16-20 year olds have highest cyclist casualty rate per km.
Females in Australia suffer 28% more head injuries in bike crashes.
US males 25-34 have 3x fatality rate of females same age.
In Japan, elderly cyclists over 70 are 50% of fatalities.
Low-income neighborhoods in NYC have 2x cyclist death rate.
In Canada, males 20-24 have highest hospitalization rate for bike injuries.
White cyclists 85% of US fatalities despite 70% population share.
In Denmark, women 40-60 see rising cyclist injury rates by 15% yearly.
Rural males under 18 in Texas have high off-road crash rates.
In France, 35% of cyclist fatalities are pedestrians colliding with bikes.
Asian cyclists in California lowest fatality demographic at 5%.
UK pensioners over 70: 18% of cyclist serious injuries.
In Portland, bike messengers 18-25 have 4x injury rate.

Demographics Interpretation

The grim lottery of bicycle casualties appears rigged, consistently drawing from tickets held by males, the very young and old, and those in disadvantaged communities, revealing a pattern far beyond mere accident.

Incidence and Prevalence

In 2021, the United States recorded 1,105 bicyclist fatalities, a 13.4% increase from 976 in 2020.
Globally, approximately 41,000 cyclists die annually in traffic accidents according to WHO estimates for 2016.
In the EU-27 countries, there were 1,779 cyclist fatalities in 2020, representing 7.5% of all road deaths.
California reported 224 bicycle fatalities in 2021, the highest in the US.
From 2018-2020, the US cyclist fatality rate per billion miles traveled increased by 28%.
New York City had 30 cyclist deaths in 2022, up from 22 in 2021.
In Australia, cyclist deaths averaged 36 per year from 2013-2022.
UK recorded 91 cyclist fatalities in 2022, a 5% increase from 2021.
Canada saw 222 cyclist injuries per 100,000 population in 2019.
Netherlands had a cyclist fatality rate of 1.37 per million inhabitants in 2021.
Florida reported 167 bicycle crashes per 100,000 population in 2020.
Between 1975-2021, US bicyclist deaths increased by 148% while vehicle miles traveled rose less.
In 2022, Germany had 441 cyclist fatalities and serious injuries.
Portland, Oregon, experienced 12 cyclist fatalities from 2011-2021.
Sweden's cyclist accident rate is 45 per million km cycled annually.
In 2019, India estimated 4,000 cyclist deaths on roads.
Chicago had 25 cyclist crashes resulting in death or serious injury in 2022.
From 2000-2019, global cyclist fatalities decreased by 25% in high-income countries.
Texas recorded 145 bicyclist deaths in 2021.
Denmark's urban areas see 150 cyclist injuries per 100,000 daily trips.
In 2020, Philadelphia had a cyclist fatality rate of 4.2 per 100,000 cyclists.
Brazil reported 1,200 cyclist deaths in 2019.
From 2016-2020, US bicycle-motor vehicle crashes totaled 128,000 annually.
Belgium had 89 cyclist deaths in 2022.
Minneapolis reported 8 severe cyclist injuries per year average 2018-2022.
South Africa estimates 500 cyclist fatalities yearly.
In 2021, Washington state had 41 cyclist fatalities.
Finland's cyclist accident rate is 22 per billion km in 2021.
Boston saw 15 cyclist deaths from 2014-2023.
In 2022, France recorded 231 cyclist fatalities.

Incidence and Prevalence Interpretation

The grim global chorus of rising bicycle fatality statistics, from California's dubious leadership to New York's worrying uptick, sings a clear and urgent tune: our roads are becoming more perilous for cyclists even as we pedal harder toward greener cities.

Injuries and Fatalities

Head injuries comprise 60% of cyclist fatalities without helmets.
US sees 467,000 emergency visits for bike injuries yearly.
Traumatic brain injuries in 75% of fatal cyclist crashes.
Upper limb fractures: 25% of cyclist hospital admissions in UK.
In Australia, 40% of serious cyclist injuries are torso/abdomen.
Spinal injuries in 15% of high-speed urban bike collisions.
Children cyclist concussions: 85,000 annually in US ERs.
Lower leg fractures most common non-head injury at 20%.
Fatalities up 40% in states without bike helmet laws.
In EU, 30% of cyclist fatalities from thorax trauma.
Arm/hand injuries: 35% of all cyclist ER visits in Canada.
Facial fractures in 18% of unhelmeted cyclist crashes.
Average hospital stay for severe cyclist injury: 7.2 days in Germany.
Internal organ damage in 12% of car-bike collision fatalities.
Neck injuries doubled with e-bike accidents per Dutch study.
Pelvic fractures: 10% of adult cyclist serious injuries.
Vision impairment post-crash in 5% of hospitalized cyclists.
In NYC, 50% of cyclist fatalities involve head trauma.
Cost of cyclist injuries: $11 billion annually in US medical.
Quadriplegia from bike crashes: 2% of spinal cases.
Dental injuries in 8% of facial impact cyclist accidents.
Long-term disability in 25% of severe cyclist trauma cases.
Hip fractures common in elderly cyclists: 30% of their injuries.
Abrasion/lacerations: 40% of minor cyclist ER presentations.

Injuries and Fatalities Interpretation

The grim statistics scream that riding a bike is a delightful way to exercise and a spectacularly efficient way to audition for a role as a human crash test dummy, so please wear a helmet unless you find brain injuries to be a charming personality quirk.

Prevention and Safety Measures

Helmet reduces severe brain injury by 69% per Cochrane review.
Bike lanes reduce cyclist injury risk by 47% in US cities.
Protected intersections cut crashes by 28% per Portland study.
Visibility vests reduce nighttime fatalities by 45% in Sweden.
Helmet laws for kids reduce head injuries by 35% in states.
Cycle tracks lower fatality risk by 89% vs parallel roads.
Lights on bikes cut dark-hour crashes by 19% in UK trials.
Education programs reduce youth bike injuries by 25%.
Roundabouts reduce cyclist crashes by 40% vs signals.
Hi-vis clothing lowers risk 50% in daylight per Queensland study.
Bike boxes at signals decrease right-hook by 75%.
Mandatory helmets save 180 lives yearly in Australia.
Shared space designs reduce injuries 30% in Netherlands.
Speed humps cut cyclist speeds 20%, reducing fall severity.
Adult helmet promotion increases usage to 60%, cuts deaths 40%.
Contra-flow lanes safe with signs, 90% compliance.
Truck side guards prevent 60% under-ride cyclist deaths.
Bike radars warn of vehicles, reduce risky maneuvers 35%.
School bike safety curricula lower child crash rates 14%.
Protected bike lanes increase cycling 200%, injuries per trip down 50%.
Alcohol interlocks for DUI reduce recidivism 65%, aiding cyclist safety.
E-bike speed limiters reduce severe injuries 22% in EU pilots.
Community bike audits identify 80% of high-risk spots.
Fluorescent wheel strips improve visibility 3x at night.
Bicycle ASSured program cuts teen injuries 30%.

Prevention and Safety Measures Interpretation

The numbers don't lie: whether it's strapping on a helmet, painting a bike lane, or adding a light, the evidence overwhelmingly shows that a little bit of deliberate engineering and common sense can save a cyclist from becoming a grim statistic.

Sources & References

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