Bicyclist deaths in the U.S. have reached concerning levels, with fatalities rising 42.7% since 2010, hitting a record high of 1,084 in 2022. Adult male cyclists aged 20 and older have seen a 78% increase in fatalities, making it clear that cycling is becoming more dangerous, especially for adults.
In this study, we explore the key factors behind these tragic numbers—helmet use, alcohol involvement, and where these crashes happen. Shockingly, 62.2% of the cyclists who died weren’t wearing helmets, and over 20% were under the influence of alcohol. Plus, most of these deaths (82%) occurred in busy urban areas, where cyclists face the most risk.
We’ve also ranked the most and least dangerous states for bicyclists using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Census Bureau. Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida top the list of the most dangerous, while Ohio, Wyoming, and Montana rank as the safest. This data provides a clear picture of where cyclists face the greatest challenges and where improvements are most needed.
Key Findings
- Significant Increase in Bicyclist Fatalities: Bicyclist deaths have surged by 42.7% since 2010, with adult male cyclists (aged 20 and older) experiencing a 78% increase in fatalities over the years.
- Helmet Use and Fatalities: More than 60% of bicyclists killed in crashes were not wearing helmets, highlighting the critical role helmet use plays in reducing fatal accidents.
- Alcohol’s Role in Fatal Crashes: Over 20% of bicyclist fatalities involved alcohol impairment, indicating the significant dangers of riding while under the influence.
- Urban Areas Are the Deadliest for Cyclists: A vast majority (82%) of bicyclist deaths occurred in urban areas, showing that city streets pose the greatest risks for cyclists.
- Most and Least Dangerous States: The most dangerous states for bicyclists include Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida, while the least dangerous states are Ohio, Wyoming, and Montana.
- Southern U.S. Is Most Dangerous for Cyclists: Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, and Alabama ranking in the top 10.
Most and Least Dangerous States for Bicyclists, 2024 (Map)
Ranking the Most Dangerous States for Bicyclists in 2024 (Table)
Bicycle Accident Statistics
Bicyclist Deaths Rise 42.7% Since 2010, with Male Cyclists 20 and Older Seeing a 78% Increase
The total number of bicyclist deaths increased from 621 in 2010 to 1,084 in 2022, marking a 42.7% rise. While younger male bicyclists (under 20) experienced more fatalities in the past, their numbers have significantly declined.
Deaths among male bicyclists under 20 dropped from 638 in 1975 to 80 in 2022, reflecting an 87% decrease.
Similarly, the number of female bicyclist deaths under 20 also saw a significant decline, decreasing by 90.5% over the same period.
However, the trend for adult male bicyclists (aged 20 and older) is alarming. Their fatalities increased from 180 in 1975 to 836 in 2022, representing a 78% increase. Women bicyclists aged 20 and older also faced an increase in fatalities, rising from 32 in 1975 to 127 in 2022. This highlights the growing risk for adult cyclists over time.
Over 60% of Bicyclists Killed Weren’t Wearing Helmets
In 2022, 674 bicyclists, or 62.2%, who died in crashes weren’t wearing helmets. Only 14.7% (159 people) were confirmed to have worn helmets, while for 23.2% (251 cases), helmet use wasn’t known.
Over 20% of Bicyclists Killed Were Drunk
In 2022, 208 bicyclists who died in crashes, or 20.6%, were under the influence of alcohol. Meanwhile, 804 bicyclists, making up 79.4%, were sober at the time of their fatal accidents.
82% of Bicyclist Deaths Occurred in Urban Areas
In 2022, 889 bicyclists, or 82%, who died in crashes were in urban areas. Meanwhile, 188 bicyclists (17.3%) were killed in rural areas, and only 7 deaths (0.6%) occurred in locations with unknown land use.
The Most Dangerous States for Bicyclists
1. Mississippi
Mississippi ranks as the most dangerous state for bicyclists in 2024. The state reported 17 bicyclist deaths out of a total of 703 fatal crash deaths, resulting in a bicyclist fatality rate of 2.42%. While this percentage isn't the highest, the true concern lies in how few people commute by bike in the state.
Mississippi has a total of only 1,331 office bicycle commuters, yet for every 1,000 commuters, 12.77 bicyclists were killed. This is an alarming statistic and shows just how risky it is to be a bicyclist in the state.
With a final score of 62.90, Mississippi's roads clearly pose significant dangers to cyclists. The state’s infrastructure and safety measures seem inadequate, making it a high-risk place for those commuting by bike.
2. Louisiana
Louisiana ranks as the second most dangerous state for bicyclists in 2024. The state saw 45 bicyclist deaths out of 906 total deaths in fatal crashes, which accounts for a 4.97% fatality rate among bicyclists. This high percentage signals that bicyclists in Louisiana face significant risks on the road.
The number of office bicycle commuters in the state is 7,046, and the state recorded 6.39 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. This shows that despite a modest number of bicycle commuters, the risk of fatal accidents remains high.
With a final score of 51.49, Louisiana is clearly a dangerous place for cyclists, and improvements to safety measures are urgently needed to protect those who ride.
3. Florida
Florida comes in third in terms of danger for bicyclists. The state recorded a staggering 222 bicyclist deaths out of 3,530 total deaths in fatal crashes, leading to a 6.29% fatality rate. This makes Florida one of the riskiest states for bicyclists in terms of the total number of deaths.
Despite having a large bicyclist population, with 52,513 office bicycle commuters, Florida still has 4.23 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. While this is lower than some other states, the sheer number of deaths still makes it a highly dangerous state for bicyclists.
With a final score of 50.09, Florida ranks as the third most dangerous state, emphasizing the need for better cycling infrastructure and safety campaigns.
4. South Carolina
South Carolina ranks as the fourth most dangerous state for bicyclists in 2024. The state reported 25 bicyclist deaths out of 1,094 total deaths in fatal crashes, which gives it a 2.29% bicyclist fatality rate. While this percentage is lower than some states, the actual risk for commuters is concerning.
The number of office bicycle commuters in South Carolina is 3,606, and the state recorded 6.93 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. This relatively high number suggests significant danger for those who choose to commute by bike.
With a final score of 39.33, South Carolina is a dangerous state for bicyclists, indicating a need for more protective measures to reduce the risk of fatalities.
5. Delaware
Delaware takes the fifth spot in the ranking. The state saw 6 bicyclist deaths out of 162 total deaths in fatal crashes, resulting in a 3.70% fatality rate for bicyclists. Although the number of fatalities is lower compared to other states, the percentage is relatively high.
Delaware has a small number of office bicycle commuters, with just 1,248 in the state. Despite this, there were 4.81 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters, showing that bicyclists still face considerable danger.
With a final score of 38.57, Delaware ranks as the fifth most dangerous state for bicyclists, underscoring the need for better cycling infrastructure and safety improvements.
6. Hawaii
Hawaii ranks as the sixth most dangerous state for bicyclists in 2024. The state reported 7 bicyclist deaths out of 116 total deaths in fatal crashes, which results in a 6.03% fatality rate for bicyclists. This is one of the higher percentages, indicating significant risk for bicyclists in the state.
Hawaii has 5,953 office bicycle commuters, and the state recorded 1.18 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. While the number of deaths per commuter is lower compared to other states, the overall fatality percentage suggests that bicyclists remain vulnerable on the roads.
7. Utah
Utah takes the seventh spot in the ranking. The state experienced 15 bicyclist deaths out of 319 total deaths in fatal crashes, which equates to a 4.70% bicyclist fatality rate. This relatively high percentage highlights the need for attention to cyclist safety.
The number of office bicycle commuters in Utah is 7,878, and the state recorded 1.90 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. Although this number is lower than other states, it still points to significant risks for those commuting by bike.
8. Arizona
Arizona ranks as the eighth most dangerous state for bicyclists in 2024. The state recorded 50 bicyclist deaths out of 1,302 total deaths in fatal crashes, leading to a 3.84% fatality rate among bicyclists. While this percentage is lower than some other states, the actual number of deaths remains concerning.
Arizona has 19,114 office bicycle commuters, and the state recorded 2.62 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. Though the commuter death rate is moderate compared to others, bicyclists in Arizona still face considerable risks.
9. Nevada
Nevada ranks ninth in the list of most dangerous states for bicyclists. The state reported 15 bicyclist deaths out of 416 total deaths in fatal crashes, giving it a 3.61% bicyclist fatality rate. While this percentage may not seem extremely high, the number of deaths per commuter is still alarming.
Nevada has 5,186 office bicycle commuters, and the state recorded 2.89 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. Despite the relatively low number of commuters, the risk of fatal accidents remains concerning.
10. Alabama
Alabama rounds out the top 10 most dangerous states for bicyclists in 2024. The state reported 14 bicyclist deaths out of 988 total deaths in fatal crashes, resulting in a 1.42% fatality rate for bicyclists. While this percentage is one of the lower rates on this list, the danger is still present for those who cycle.
Alabama has 2,487 office bicycle commuters, and the state recorded 5.63 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters, which is relatively high considering the number of commuters.
The Least Dangerous States for Bicyclists
1. Ohio
Ohio stands as the safest state for bicyclists in 2024. With only 8 bicyclist deaths out of 1,275 total deaths in fatal crashes, bicyclists represent just 0.63% of traffic fatalities in the state. This low percentage highlights that Ohio's roads are relatively safer for those who choose to bike.
The state is home to 17,314 office bicycle commuters, and when we calculate the risk, we find only 0.46 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. This is an encouraging figure for cyclists, showing that, compared to other states, Ohio offers safer conditions for commuting by bike.
Ohio’s final score of 5.16 clearly reflects its position as the least dangerous state for cyclists. With such strong indicators of safety, Ohio serves as a model for other states aiming to protect their bicyclists.
2. Wyoming
Wyoming comes in as the second least dangerous state for bicyclists, thanks to its impressively low fatality numbers. The state reported just 1 bicyclist death out of 134 total deaths in fatal crashes, giving it a 0.75% bicyclist fatality rate. While small in population, Wyoming shows that its roadways are comparatively safe for cyclists.
With 2,652 office bicycle commuters, the state has an even lower ratio of 0.38 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. This statistic reinforces that Wyoming’s cyclists face minimal risks on the road, making it a relatively safe place for bike commuting.
With a final score of 5.46, Wyoming underscores the importance of maintaining road safety, even in states with fewer bicyclists. The data shows that cycling here is one of the safest transportation options.
3. Montana
Montana ranks as the third least dangerous state for bicyclists in 2024, with just 2 bicyclist deaths reported out of 213 total deaths in fatal crashes, resulting in a 0.94% fatality rate. While this may seem slightly higher than Ohio or Wyoming, Montana’s roads still present a low level of danger for cyclists.
With 4,431 office bicycle commuters, the state sees 0.45 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. This figure reflects that despite the state’s rural nature and spread-out communities, biking remains a reasonably safe mode of transportation.
Montana’s final score of 6.77 shows that the state is doing well in keeping bicyclists safe, although continued efforts to improve cycling infrastructure could make biking an even more secure option.
4. New Mexico
New Mexico takes the fourth spot among the least dangerous states for bicyclists. With 4 bicyclist deaths out of 466 total deaths in fatal crashes, the state’s bicyclist fatality rate sits at 0.86%. This low percentage suggests that New Mexico’s roads are not overwhelmingly hazardous for cyclists.
The state has 5,950 office bicycle commuters, which means the rate of fatalities is 0.67 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. Though there’s still a risk, the numbers suggest that New Mexico provides a relatively safer environment for those commuting by bike.
With a final score of 7.21, New Mexico remains on the safer side for bicyclists, though continued investments in road safety could further enhance the experience for cyclists in the state.
5. Connecticut
Connecticut ranks as the fifth least dangerous state for bicyclists in 2024. The state reported 3 bicyclist deaths out of 359 total deaths in fatal crashes, leading to a bicyclist fatality rate of 0.84%. Though small in population, Connecticut shows that its roads offer a relatively safer environment for cyclists.
With 3,460 office bicycle commuters, the state records 0.87 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. While the number is slightly higher than some of its peers on this list, it still reflects Connecticut’s commitment to cyclist safety.
With a final score of 7.85, Connecticut shows that while there's room for improvement, the state is largely a safe place for bicyclists, especially compared to more dangerous states.
6. Vermont
Vermont ranks next as one of the least dangerous states for bicyclists. The state saw 1 bicyclist death out of 76 total deaths in fatal crashes, giving it a 1.32% bicyclist fatality rate. Although the percentage is higher due to the state’s small size, the actual number of deaths remains low.
Vermont has 2,448 office bicycle commuters, which means the state sees only 0.41 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. This low number indicates that, overall, Vermont is a relatively safe place to commute by bike.
7. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ranks as the sixth least dangerous state for bicyclists in 2024. The state reported 15 bicyclist deaths out of 1,179 total deaths in fatal crashes, resulting in a bicyclist fatality rate of 1.27%. While the percentage is a bit higher compared to some other states on this list, Pennsylvania's large population means the overall risk remains moderate.
With 30,409 office bicycle commuters, the state sees 0.49 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters, a relatively low rate that points to decent safety measures for cyclists in the state.
8. Minnesota
Minnesota ranks as the seventh least dangerous state for bicyclists in 2024. The state recorded 6 bicyclist deaths out of 444 total deaths in fatal crashes, which results in a 1.35% fatality rate for bicyclists. Though the percentage is higher than some others, Minnesota’s overall number of cyclist deaths remains low.
The state is home to 13,619 office bicycle commuters, and the ratio of bicyclist deaths per commuter stands at 0.44 per 1,000. This reflects that, despite its cold climate, Minnesota is a relatively safe place for those who choose to bike.
9. Virginia
Virginia ranks as the eighth least dangerous state for bicyclists in 2024. The state reported 11 bicyclist deaths out of 1,008 total deaths in fatal crashes, leading to a 1.09% bicyclist fatality rate. While this percentage is slightly above some other safer states, the overall number of fatalities remains moderate.
Virginia has 12,205 office bicycle commuters, and the state records 0.90 bicyclist deaths per 1,000 commuters. This statistic indicates a manageable level of risk for cyclists, though there's room for improvement in making the roads even safer.
10. Maine
Maine is the ninth least dangerous state for bicyclists in 2024. The state recorded 2 bicyclist deaths out of 182 total deaths in fatal crashes, resulting in a 1.10% fatality rate. Although small, the number of bicyclist deaths is still worth noting given the state's relatively low population.
With 2,244 office bicycle commuters, Maine's bicyclist death rate stands at 0.89 deaths per 1,000 commuters. This shows that while bicyclists in Maine face some risk, it is lower compared to more dangerous states.
Methodology
In this study, we aimed to identify the most and least dangerous states for bicyclists in the U.S. in 2024. We utilized data from two key sources: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Census Bureau's community survey. The focus was on calculating two primary indicators that reflect the risk level for bicyclists in each state.
Data Sources
NHTSA Data (2022):
We obtained data on bicyclist fatalities from the latest available report. This included total traffic fatalities, breakdowns by gender, age, blood alcohol content (BAC) levels, and helmet usage.
Census Bureau Community Survey (2023):
The number of office bicycle commuters per state was sourced from this survey, helping us understand the biking population in each state.
Key Indicators
To rank the states, we relied on two core metrics:
- Percentage of Bicyclist Deaths Among Total Traffic Fatalities:
This metric shows the rate of bicyclist fatalities compared to all fatal crashes in a state. The higher this percentage, the more dangerous the state is for bicyclists. - Bicyclists Killed per 1,000 Bicycle Commuters:
By using the number of office bicycle commuters and the total bicyclist fatalities, we calculated the number of deaths per 1,000 commuters. This helps measure the vulnerability of bicyclists in each state.
Calculation Process
We followed a multi-step process to create a ranking of the most and least dangerous states for bicyclists:
- Bicyclist Death Percentage:
We started by calculating the percentage of bicyclist deaths relative to all traffic fatalities for each state. This provides a direct comparison of how deadly the roads are for bicyclists compared to other types of road users. - Bicyclist Deaths per Commuter:
Next, we looked at the number of bicycle commuters in each state. By dividing the number of bicyclist deaths by the number of commuters, we determined how many bicyclists died per 1,000 bicycle commuters. - Weighted Scoring:
After calculating these two metrics, we applied a 50% weight to each. This balanced both the overall percentage of bicyclist deaths and the specific danger to bicycle commuters. - Final Ranking:
The final score (out of 100) was derived from these two weighted indicators. States with higher scores were deemed more dangerous for bicyclists, while lower scores indicated safer states.
Exclusions
In our analysis, we excluded Iowa, Nebraska, and Rhode Island due to the absence of reported bicyclist fatalities. The District of Columbia was also not included in the ranking.