These Are the 10 Most Dangerous States for Cyclists
These Are the 10 Most Dangerous States for Cyclists
In the wake of the “bicycling renaissance” generated by COVID-19, more people than ever are enjoying the sport’s mental and physical health benefits. But veterans and newbies alike can attest to the fact that not all cycling zones meet the bar when it comes to safety. What should be invigorating exercise or an incident-free commute to school or work can prove to be hazardous.
The numbers are sobering. According to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration between 2010 and 2021, U.S. cycling fatalities spiked upwards by 58 percent – hitting a multi-decade high. That works out to an average of 19 people getting killed every week while riding a bike. With almost 1,000 deaths and over 130,000 injuries each year, how safe is it to bicycle in the U.S.?
That depends on where you ride. While some cities and states are taking major steps towards opening up their streets with bike lanes and getting more cars off the road, many others have been slow to make changes.
Who are the laggards? Check out this list of Least Safe Bike States to find out.
Colorado
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With some of the world’s most beautiful high-altitude trails and byways, Colorado is both a home to bike enthusiasts and a magnet for out-of-state cyclists. Seventy-five percent of Coloradans own at least one bike, so it’s no surprise that larger cities like Denver have made themselves bike-friendly with miles of downtown bike lanes.
Despite its “bike-friendly” business culture, Colorado’s road safety record is less than stellar – and it seems to be on a downward spiral. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the state’s roadways saw a record 754 lives lost in 2022 – an alarming 57% spike from 2012. Nearly 40 percent of those deaths were cyclists or pedestrians.
The Rocky Mountain State ranks in the top 10 for least safe states for bicyclists in the U.S. Of Colorado’s total 2072 traffic-related deaths between 2017 and 2021, 88 were bicyclists. That’s 4.25% of the state’s total deaths – far above the national average
Nevada
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As in many other states, COVID-19 drove a surge in the cycling population in Nevada – which in turn, unfortunately, set the stage for an increase in the potential for cycling accidents. In 2020 Nevada’s cycling population grew exponentially. According to data collected by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), about 95% of collisions between cars and bicycles were the fault of the driver – largely resulting from improper turning or failing to yield.
Las Vegas may seem an unlikely place to bike. But its sunny weather, relatively flat topography, and have made biking so popular that nearly 30% of its population commute by bike. But getting to and from work can be risky: Las Vegas is one of the five most dangerous cities in the U.S. for cycling due to poor infrastructure, roads in disrepair, impaired driving, and tourists who are unfamiliar with local bicycle laws.
Las Vegas was the site of 14 of Nevada’s total 42 cyclist deaths in 2022. Out of a total of 975 fatalities state-wide, 4.31% of them were cyclists. Safety advocates are urging Nevada to put its Strategic Highway Safety plan into high gear.
Arizona
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From mountain treks and desert excursions to laid-back city rides, Arizona is a magnet for cycling enthusiasts. With over 300 days of sunshine and thousands of miles of cycle-friendly roads, the Grand Canyon State is consistently ranked as a top destination for both serious and hobbyist cyclists. Large urban centers like Tucson and Phoenix are home to a multitude of businesses and services that cater to the two-wheeling crowd.
But as with other least-safe destinations on this list, “friendly” doesn’t translate to “safe” for cyclists. Phoenix enjoys a reputation as a bike-friendly city. Yet it’s the state’s epicenter for traffic-related cycling deaths, with only 19% of its highways and 14% of its roads equipped with bike lanes.
Arizona the state has one of the highest incidents of cyclist fatalities in the country. The total number of bicyclist fatalities in Arizona during 2017-2021 was 162 – significantly higher than the national average. The NHTSA recorded a total of 2922 traffic-related deaths, of which 5.54% were bicyclists.
Louisiana
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Louisiana can’t seem to shake its years-old reputation as one of the most dangerous states in the country to ride a bicycle. Fatal crash data gathered by NHTSA from 2017 to 2021 indicated that out of 2528 total traffic fatalities, 5.58% were bicyclists.
Those grim statistics are due at least in part to outdated infrastructure and outdated attitudes. In 2016, a bill aimed at protecting bike and motorcycle riders – which would have included up to five years of jail time for drivers in fatality cases – never passed.
Rural routes are scenic but potentially dangerous, sometimes so narrow that motorists have trouble passing cyclists. Urban centers like New Orleans and Baton were planned for car travel, with few sidewalks and plenty of high-speed roadways, but both cities are reportedly efforts to invest in education and infrastructure development.
The toughest nut to crack may be the lingering hostility to bike riders by some motorists, based on the belief that the roads belong only to cars. Old habits are hard to break.
New Jersey
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According to the stats gathered by the NDOHS, New Jersey sits firmly in the camp of least safe states for cyclists. During 2017-2021, there were 88 cyclist fatalities out of the state’s 1574 total traffic deaths. The percentage of bicyclist fatalities reached 5.59% – far above the national average.
The Garden State has been slow to make modifications to create safer streets for cyclists and pedestrians. It has so far failed to pass a “three-foot passing” law – a regulation common in other states that requires motorists to keep a safe distance when passing cyclists.
It has, however, adopted a “Complete Streets” policy, under which any new roads or road renovations would need to take into account the needs of all users, including cyclists.
Delaware
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Delaware is a puzzler when it comes to cyclist safety. Despite the introduction of bike-friendly programs and policies like Rails-to-Trails, Complete Streets, and transportation alternatives that include Safe Routes to School, the First State consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous states for cyclists in the U.S.
Over the years, Delaware has snagged the #1 spot on a number of different safety reviews with some of the highest cyclist fatality percentages in relation to population. That’s based on National Highway Safety Administration data from the last 10 years.
Safety experts and local cyclists attribute the high fatality rate to the design of Delaware’s transportation infrastructure, which they say – despite the introduction of bike safety measures – is still built more for high-speed motorists than cyclists.
The NDOHS reported 23 bicyclist fatalities between 2017 and 2021. During that time, the state had 364 total traffic-related deaths, of which 6.32% were bicyclists.
California
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Bad news for would-be California dreamin’ cyclists: the Golden State holds a place as one of the least safe states in the United States for two-wheelers. Data collected by NDOHS shows California experienced 10,578 total road collision fatalities between 2017 to 2021. Of these, 712, or 6.73%, were cyclists, making California’s cyclist fatality rate substantially higher than the U.S. average.
Not surprisingly, high-octane Los Angeles – where it’s said you must have a car to get around – is the site of the greatest concentration of bicycle crashes in the state. LA drivers are accustomed to watching out for cars – while bicycles and pedestrians tend to fall outside of their line of vision.
Los Angeles has a long way to go to achieve “bike-friendly” status, but they’re working on it. In recent years, the city has broadened its network of cycling lanes and trails. Los Angeles County has announced an ambitious bicycle master plan that calls for 800 miles of bikeways in the next ten years.
Hawaii
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Known as the Paradise of the Pacific, Hawaii’s splendor is best experienced on two wheels. Each island has unique cycling adventures, from Maui’s idyllic coastlines to the Big Island’s rugged landscapes.
Urban cycling is a different story. Hawaii’s population of 1.4 million balloons with the arrival of 10 million tourists each year. Millions of rental cars driven by out-of-towners who aren’t familiar with the local street layout don’t just cause congestion: it creates a perfect storm for traffic accidents and cyclist fatalities.
Statistics bear this out. The NOHD data shows that between 2017 and 2021, cyclists comprised 20 (or 7.22%) of the state’s total 227 traffic-related fatalities.
However, Hawaii is on track to bring those numbers down. Honolulu – the state’s biggest congestion culprits – has laid down the spine for a biking network. To date, the system is more a patchwork of protected bike lanes, but both city and state governments have committed to moving away from their reliance on fossil fuels and bolstering biking infrastructure.
New York
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The Empire State is a mixed bag when it comes to ratings for bike use and safety. The League of American Bicyclists gave it top grades for investing in education and infrastructure, but flunked it for two big misses. It still hasn’t created a “safe passing” law, which would specify a safe passing distance for motorists overtaking bicyclists. Nor has it enacted a law that would allow localities to put a cap on speed limits.
From 2017 to 2021 New York recorded 203 cyclist fatalities, comprising 7.22% of the state’s total traffic-related fatalities. Not surprisingly, New York City accounts for a major proportion of those casualties.
As the daily destination for 4.5 million vehicles, the Big Apple has big traffic challenges. As a cyclist, you’ll be competing with e-bikes, e-scooters, and mopeds for space in bike lanes. On that front, the DOT says it’s on track to reach an all-time high in installing protected bike lanes in one year, with a record number in the Bronx, which has historically lacked them. Beyond that, as we reported last week, New York has made some headway in improving the design of bike lanes, with wider corridors (“bike boulevards”) and bike-friendly marked intersections.
Florida
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A mild climate, flat terrain, and miles of bike trails should make Florida a cycling paradise. But it’s not. The Sunshine State has the dubious distinction of topping the list of least safe states for cycling, with the most fatalities per capita – 7.44 per 1 million residents.
Between 2017 and 2021, there were 805 bike fatalities. Out of a total of 9,472 traffic-related deaths, 805 – or 8.5% – were cyclists.
There are many underlying factors, but the most common are failure to yield the right of way by drivers, poor visibility, disregarding traffic signs and signals, and improper turns. But the overarching problem, according to the safety advocacy group Smart Growth America (SGA), is that many cities are “dangerous by design”. American cities have adopted outdated, high-speed 1950s highway designs without modifying them for complex urban environments – and without regard for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.
The challenge for urban developers, SGA says, is to integrate the needs of pedestrians and two-wheelers into the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation networks.
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Zobia Shazi is a freelance writer from Pakistan and travel enthusiast. With a Bachelor's degree in IT and four years of professional writing experience, she's passionate about crafting compelling content for people all over the globe. When she's not busy typing, you can find her reading books in a nice cafe or exploring new places.
