Bicycle Accident

Bicycling, as both a mode of transportation and of recreation, is on the rise across the country. But with this growing popularity comes a growing number of injuries and deaths due to bicycle accidents.

Recent data that illustrates the danger includes:

• In 2012, 726 people died in bicycle crashes with motor vehicles nationwide; 49,000 were injured. 
• The total cost of bicycle crash injuries and deaths totals approximately $4 billion per year. 
• Bicyclist injuries between 2001 and 2011 increased by 8.9%.

Statistics on the age, gender, and location of bicycle crashes are enlightening as well:

• In 2012 the average age of bicyclists killed in accident with vehicles was 43 years old.
• 88% of people killed in bicycle crashes were male.
• 69% of fatal bike crashes occurred in urban areas; 30% occurred between 4-8 p.m.
• 24% of bicyclists killed in crashes had Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 g/dL or higher.

When a bicycle crash results in injury, the data illustrates clearly that collisions with vehicles is the greatest danger to bicyclists:

• In 2012, nearly one third of injury bicycle crashes happen in a collision with a motor vehicle;
• 17% of injuries occurred when the bicyclist fell;
• 13% happened in a bike crash caused by uneven or unrepaired roadways;
• 13% were due to rider error or inattention.