Bicycling is convenient, environmentally friendly and great for your health. If you are passionate about riding your bike, you are well aware of these benefits. You probably also know that biking can be dangerous.
Bicycle accidents can be severe, especially when it involves a collision with a motor vehicle. The first step to staying safe is knowing the risks. Here are some important statistics and facts about bicycle safety:
Fatality statistics
More than 800 people died in 2015 from car-bicycle crashes in the United States. This means two bicyclists die every day on average. This is a 6 percent increase from 2006.
Causes of bicycle injuries
Here are the most common reasons people get hurt on bikes:
- Getting struck by a vehicle
- Falling off the bike
- Faulty roadway or walkway
- Rider error
Car crashes cause 29 percent of bicyclist injuries. These often occur when drivers are distracted, drunk, tired or reckless.
Risk factors
Some people are more likely to get bicycle injuries than others. Here are some notable numbers and trends of crashes between bicycles and motor vehicles:
- Eighty-eight percent of fatalities occur among males.
- Seventy-one percent of deaths happen in urban locations.
- Twenty percent of deadly accidents occur at night between six and nine o’clock.
While bicycling is generally a safe activity, it is worth knowing the dangers that exist. When you understand the risks, you will take preventative measures so that you can be a safe cyclist.