America Is Seeing More Cyclists on the Road and More Fatal Bicycle Crashes

As cycling continues to grow across the United States, so does the danger facing bicyclists on American roads.

A recent study conducted by H&P Law found that bicyclist fatalities have risen sharply in recent years, even as more Americans embrace biking for commuting, exercise, and recreation. Released during National Bike Month, the research examined where cyclists face the highest fatality risks, which states are becoming more dangerous, and why existing infrastructure may be failing to keep pace with the growing popularity of cycling.

The findings point toward a widening disconnect between America’s increasing bicycle use and the safety of the roads cyclists depend on.

According to the study, bicyclist fatalities nationwide have increased by approximately 87% since 2010. During the same period, the number of Americans biking to work and using bicycles recreationally has also steadily climbed, particularly following a temporary pandemic-era decline.

In 2024 alone, more than 800,000 Americans reportedly commuted to work by bicycle, while broader travel surveys estimate Americans took roughly 2.2 billion bicycle trips in 2022, more than half of which were for recreational or social purposes.

That increase in ridership has brought more cyclists into direct contact with vehicle traffic on roads that, in many areas, remain poorly designed for safe bicycle travel.

The research identified spring as one of the deadliest periods for bicyclists, particularly during the March-to-May window that overlaps with National Bike Month and Bike to Work Week. Researchers found the national average fatality rate during that spring period reached 3.22 bicyclist deaths per 10,000 bicycle commuters, with 15 states exceeding the national average.

Some states stood out for especially dramatic increases.

Mississippi experienced the largest increase in bicyclist commuter fatalities between the 2014–2018 and 2019–2023 periods, rising more than 180%. Alaska, Oregon, Louisiana, Arizona, Utah, and Oklahoma also recorded major percentage increases.

The data suggests that while cycling participation is increasing nationwide, roadway safety improvements are not advancing at the same pace.

Researchers pointed toward infrastructure as one of the clearest dividing lines between safer and more dangerous states.

States and cities with protected bike lanes, traffic-calming measures, separated cycling corridors, and more pedestrian-focused urban design generally recorded lower bicyclist fatality rates. The study specifically noted that separated bike lanes may improve cyclist safety by as much as 89%.

Meanwhile, states lacking bicycle infrastructure often recorded elevated fatality rates even when overall ridership numbers were relatively low.

Many American roads were designed primarily around vehicle speed and traffic flow rather than multimodal transportation. Cyclists in these environments are frequently forced to share lanes with fast-moving traffic, navigate narrow shoulders, or travel through intersections lacking dedicated bicycle protections.

Urban growth patterns may also be worsening the issue.

As metro populations expand and commuting congestion increases, more Americans are turning toward bicycles as an alternative transportation option. However, transportation infrastructure in many areas still reflects decades-old planning priorities that did not anticipate large-scale bicycle commuting.

The danger becomes particularly acute at moderate vehicle speeds.

Research cited in the study found that the probability of a bicyclist dying after being struck by a vehicle rises rapidly with speed increases. At roughly 32 mph, collisions already carry significant fatality risks. By the low-40 mph range, survival odds drop dramatically.

These risks are amplified by the growing prevalence of SUVs and pickup trucks, which sit higher off the ground and often create more severe impact points during crashes involving cyclists or pedestrians.

The study also examined bicyclist behavior itself.

Helmet use remains inconsistent nationwide despite evidence showing helmets can substantially reduce the severity of head injuries during crashes. Researchers found that only a minority of adult cyclists consistently wear helmets, even though head trauma remains one of the most common causes of severe injury and death in bicycle accidents.

Alcohol impairment also emerged as a recurring factor. In nearly one-fifth of fatal bicyclist crashes annually, the cyclist involved was reportedly above the legal alcohol limit.

Still, the broader findings suggest the primary issue extends beyond individual cyclist decisions.

As more Americans adopt cycling for transportation, recreation, and environmental reasons, transportation systems built primarily for automobiles increasingly place bicyclists into unsafe conditions. Safety advocates continue pushing for more protected lanes, lower urban speed limits, redesigned intersections, and traffic-calming measures aimed at reducing conflicts between vehicles and cyclists.

The study ultimately frames bicyclist fatalities not as isolated accidents but as symptoms of a larger infrastructure problem unfolding across the country.

Without substantial roadway redesign and safety investment, researchers suggest the continued rise in bicycling popularity may coincide with even higher fatality totals in the years ahead.