Bicycle Death Statistics: Most Fatal Bicycle Crashes in the US

As of mid-2025, traffic fatalities overall in the U.S. are estimated to have fallen by about 8.2% compared to the same period in 2024, with roughly 17,140 people killed between January and June 2025.

While definitive national numbers for bicyclist deaths in 2025 are not yet finalized, we can anchor expectations using recent trends: in 2023, there were 1,166 bicyclist fatalities nationwide — the highest in recent decades. In 2024, preliminary data suggested a modest year-over-year decline of about 1% in cyclist deaths in the first half of the year.

Together, these data points imply that 2025 bicyclist deaths could remain near 1,100–1,200 nationally — underscoring that risks for cyclists remain grave despite broader dips in overall traffic fatalities.

From busy urban corridors to suburban highways, these crashes expose systemic issues that demand attention. Let’s explore the most recent deadly cases, updated statistics, and expert insights shaping the national conversation on cyclist safety, shall we?

Bicyclist Death Statistics in the US

Every year, thousands of commuters choose bicycles as their primary means of transportation. However, along with the interest in cycling, the number of riders severely injured and killed on the roads throughout the country has increased. In fact, recent bicycle accident statistics prove that bicyclist deaths spiked by 20% over the past decade. Are these tragedies random, or are there patterns to point out and tend to?

National Scale and Trends

In 2023, 1,166 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents across the U.S., making up almost 3% of all traffic fatalities. Recent forecasts for 2024 suggest a 5% drop. It sounds like a positive trend, but there’s no guarantee that the decrease will continue to be stable.

Location, Time, and Context

Urban areas, especially major arteries, are particularly lethal to cyclists. 81% of bicyclists lost their lives on these roads in 2024. The warmer months, during summer and autumn, are the peak period for these accidents. Over 53% of collisions happen during the daytime.

Demographics, Behavior, and Crash Dynamics

Male riders dominated fatality counts in 2024; less than 20% of cyclists killed on the roads of the U.S. were women. Most bicyclists who lost their lives were in their 20s or older. Not to mention that over 60% of the deceased didn’t wear a protective helmet at the time of the accident.

State‑Level Contrasts

Some states saw considerably higher cyclist fatality rates than others. For instance, states with high fatalities include California, Florida, Illinois, and New York, despite all of these areas being ranked among the top 15 “bike‑friendly” locations.

However, the situation isn’t the same across all major cities. For instance, while in Los Angeles and Chicago, the number of bicyclist deaths increased by 30%–40%, in NYC, it dropped by over 25% in 2024.

Recent insights into bicyclist fatalities suggest that certain interventions should be more than encouraged on a national level. To continue the predicted 2024 downtrend, authorities need to invest greater resources and effort into protected biking infrastructure and cyclist-oriented policies, which will both raise awareness and increase accountability.

Most Fatal Bike Crashes in the US

A fair share of bicycle fatalities has already been recorded across the country in 2025. While the exact numbers aren’t available at the moment, it is safe to say that each accident is more than a personal loss for the families and loved ones of the deceased. Every motor vehicle collision and single-bike crash reveals unique patterns that require attention.

The details of any separate case often contain useful insights that can help prevent such instances from happening in the future. For example, if speeding and aggressive driving have led to a deadly accident, the local authorities could try to implement stricter enforcement of traffic laws and decrease speed limits. At the same time, in areas where distracted driving is a pressing issue, harsher penalties may help solve the problem.

A 19-Year-Old Killed in Lake Havasu City

In the majority of bicycle accidents that involve a motor vehicle, the fault shifts to the driver. However, that is not always the case. A recent crash that took place in Lake Havasu City, a town three hours west of Phoenix, proves that a cyclist’s error can lead to a deadly outcome, too.

On September 5, 2025, a local rider was fatally injured at an intersection of SR 95 and Mulberry Avenue. A 19-year-old bicyclist decided to enter the intersection while the red light was still on. The motorist who was crossing the intersection at a green light failed to notice the cyclist and struck them. Although the victim was immediately rushed to a hospital, they died from the sustained injuries.

Instances like this prove the need for various educational campaigns aimed at traffic awareness among both cyclists and motor vehicle operators.

E-bike Rider Dies in a Head-On Collision in St. Johns County, FL

An evening ride on August 29, 2025, took the life of a 66-year-old bicyclist in Miami, Florida. The local man was cycling on his e-bike when he collided with an SUV on U.S. 1. The head-on collision was so powerful that the cyclist died at the scene of the accident.

The police report stated that the vehicles were in the same lane while traveling in opposite directions. The case is under investigation at the moment, so it is unclear who’s at fault for the accident. However, it is known that the rider wasn’t wearing a helmet at the moment of the crash, and the driver didn’t wear a seatbelt. Usually, cases like that involve disputed liability claims.

Accidents like this stress the importance of enforcing stricter helmet laws throughout the country.

A Minor on an Electric Dirt Bike Fatally Injures a Cyclist in Miami

On August 15, 2025, two bicyclists were traveling in a designated lane on the William M. Powell Bridge of the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami. A group of teen riders was riding their dirt bikes in the same direction in the same lane. One of the teen bikers accelerated his vehicle and rear-ended the cyclist.

The force of the impact threw the rider off the vehicle. The bicyclist hit a concrete barrier and fell to the ground, bleeding out of his ear and nose. The witnesses and the wife of the deceased called 911 and waited for the injured to be transported to the hospital, but he passed away from the inflicted trauma.

The 14-year-old rider was arrested after turning himself in. Now, the minor faces charges for driving without a valid license, as well as for causing the death of another person.

Bicyclist Dies After Colliding with Two Vehicles in Las Vegas

In 2025, the 100th traffic death recorded in the Las Vegas jurisdiction involved an e-bike rider and two motor vehicles. A bicyclist at first collided with the side of a passing car near Frank Street and East Baltimore Street, and then rode into a parked vehicle. The witnesses called the emergency services, and the victim was transported to University Medical Center. The injured cyclist died at the hospital.

According to the police, the rider failed to halt the vehicle at a stop sign, which served as the primary cause of the crash. Instances when bicyclists ignore traffic signs aren’t rare. Many cyclists remain unaware that bicycles are classified as vehicles and thus must abide by existing laws.

A Boise Cyclist Fatally Injured While Crossing a Street

On the late evening of June 13, 2025, a bicyclist was killed while crossing a street in Boise. A 54-year-old male was struck by a motor vehicle and transported to a local hospital. However, the severity of the sustained injuries led to his death soon after.

Although the identity of the parties involved, as well as the underlying conditions of the crash, haven’t been disclosed to the public yet, there are a few common scenarios that could have led to such an outcome:

Speeding: The driver ignored local speed limits, or the limits were too high in the area.
Intoxication: Either of the involved parties was under the influence.
Failure to yield: The motorist ignored the right-of-way rule, which led to a fatal collision.
Inattention: The motor vehicle operator was too distracted to notice the rider on time.

A Bike Rider Dies in Mesquite After Ignoring a Red Light

Not all bicyclists hit by a car are victims of negligent drivers. The accident that took place in Mesquite, Nevada, in April, 2025, proves the point. A 75-year-old bicyclist decided to run a red light and got hit by the approaching car. The driver didn’t have time to react to avoid the collision, so the front of the car struck the left side of the bicycle and threw the rider off their vehicle.

Richard Lee Wiggins, a local citizen, was taken to the hospital, but the force of the accident left him with serious trauma that led to his passing. While the crash is still under investigation, we can suggest that the bike rider assumed he had the right of way and ignored traffic lights.

What Is the Most Common Cause for Bicyclist Death?

Severe head trauma is one of the most common causes of cyclist death in the US. In fact, almost 1,000 people die annually because of bicycle-related head injuries. Collisions involving motor vehicles are the most likely to inflict such serious damage on a rider due to the lack of protection. However, research proves that wearing well-fitted headgear can reduce the risk of traumatic head injury by at least 63%.

How Many Bicyclists Died in 2024 in the US?

According to the preliminary forecast conducted by the Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group, 1,109 cyclists died on the roads of the US in 2024. The provided data estimates indicate that the overall rider death trend appears to be on the decline. Such a positive drop can be attributed to cyclist safety initiatives adopted by municipalities throughout the country, as well as to raising public awareness about biking in America.

How Many Cyclists Are Killed in a Year?

Around a thousand people lose their lives in bicycle accidents nationwide each year. Bicyclist deaths account for nearly 2% of all traffic fatalities across the country. After rising steadily from 2020, the fatality trend finally showed improvement, with numbers dropping by about 5% in 2024 — a small but meaningful shift that safety experts are watching closely.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

Behind every statistic is a real cyclist, a family, and a story that matters. Recent data shows troubling patterns in when and where accidents happen — from high-traffic city corridors to suburban roads with limited bike infrastructure. Understanding these numbers highlights just how vulnerable riders can be, and why knowing your rights after a crash is so important.

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