Study Examines Recent Rise in Bicycle Fatalities

Sep 01,2017

Bicycle fatalities are on the rise nationwide, according to a study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Since the 70’s, bicycle fatalities were on a steady decline. However, that changed after they reached an all-time low of 621 in 2010. Fatalities began increasing, and in 2015, 818 bicyclists were killed on U.S. roadways. That was a 12% increase from the previous year and the largest increase in the past two decades.

Who is Most at Risk for Bicyclist Fatalities?

Just forty years ago, the majority of people killed in bicycle accidents were children. Now, with an increase in bike commuters and recreational biking, adults are more likely to die in bicycle crashes. The GHSA report found that the average age of a bicyclist killed in a crash in 2015 was 45. What’s more, 85% of crash victims were male.

The report also discovered important details about bicycle crashes, which bicyclists, drivers and city officials can all benefit from learning. The majority of fatal bicycle accidents occurred on the roadway, not at intersections. Although about half of bicycle fatalities occur in daylight and the other half occur after dark, only 20% of bike rides occur after dark. Thus, riding in the dark might increase the risk of a fatal bicycle accident.

Some of the recommendations made in the study include:

More marked bike lanes
More clearly defined bike lanes
Traffic signals to give bicyclists a head start when the light turns green

“Bicyclists have a right to safe travel on our roadways as much as motorists do. We must all do a better job of making the roads safe for cyclists,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today at for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.