Bicycling is becoming more popular across the country for commuting, exercise, and leisure. However, in the event of a traffic crash between a motor vehicle and a bicyclist, the bicyclist is the more vulnerable party and more likely to be injured or killed. In 2021, there were 966 bicyclists killed in a traffic crash in the United States.
Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2017 – 2020 Final File & 2021 ARF
Nationally, 966 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2021.
In California, there were 125 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021.
Bicyclist fatalities increased nationally by 1.9 percent between 2020 and 2021.
Bicyclist fatalities decreased in California by 8.8 percent between 2020 and 2021.
Bicyclists are required to follow the California Vehicle Code while riding on California roadways. Unless prohibited, bicyclists are allowed to ride in travel lanes. In the 2022 California Traffic Safety Survey, 68.2 percent of drivers surveyed believed it is legal for bicyclists to ride on roadways when there is not a bicycle lane present, an increase from 62.2 percent of respondents in 2021.
In an alarming trend similar to that seen in pedestrian fatalities, Black Americans are four times more likely than white Americans to die while cycling.
Analyses presented in the bicycling program area include fatal and serious injuries to bicyclists, other cyclists, and passengers on bicycles. Bicycle crashes are defined as crashes where one or more victims is a bicyclist, other cyclist, or bicycling passenger.
Data Source: i) Stewart, T. (2023). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021. DOT HS 813 435. NHTSA. Table 3, page 9; ii) State Traffic Safety Information (STSI). Traffic Safety Performance (Core Outcome)Measures for California. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, C-11
In 2021 nationwide, 2.2 percent (or 966) of all motor vehicle fatalities were bicyclists.
In 2021 in California, 2.9 percent (or 125) of all motor vehicle fatalities were bicylists.
Data Source: FARS Query Persons Killed in Fatal Crashes Filter Selected: Person Injury Type: Fatal; Person Type: Bicyclist ; or Other Cyclist Years: 2021
In 2021, Florida, California and Texas accounted for 42.8% of all bicyclist fatalities.
The figures in this section refer to crashes where one or more bicyclists were fatally or seriously injured in California in 2021.
| Ranking | Counties | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | 27 |
| 2 | San Diego | 16 |
| 3 | Riverside | 10 |
| 4 | Orange | 9 |
| 4 | Santa Clara | 9 |
| Ranking | County | Fatalities Per 100k Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merced | 2.1 |
| 2 | Santa Cruz | 0.7 |
| 3 | Humboldt | 0.7 |
| 4 | Napa | 0.7 |
| 5 | San Luis Obispo | 0.7 |
| Ranking | County | Serious Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | 240 |
| 2 | Orange | 78 |
| 3 | San Diego | 71 |
| 4 | Sacramento | 59 |
| 5 | Santa Clara | 58 |
| Ranking | County | Serious Injuries Per 100k Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpine | 250.2 |
| 2 | Santa Cruz | 8.4 |
| 3 | Amador | 7.4 |
| 4 | Nevada | 6.8 |
| 5 | Marin | 6.5 |
Note: Counties are ranked by unrounded fatalities per 100k population.
Data source: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021; ii) Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021 iii) 2020 Census State Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171) Summary File, U.S. Census Bureau.
Note: For more information on the different Crash Types, please see the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) Help FAQ page, in the Codebook - Crash Level Section
Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021.
Unsafe speed was the most common primary crash factor in bicycle FSI crashes in 2021 making up 17.5 percent, followed by improper turning and automobile right of way, accounting for 17.1 and 15.8 percent respectively.
Wrong side of road followed by traffic signals and signs made up the fourth and fifth most common primary crash factor in bicycle FSI crashes in 2021, accounting for 12.9 and 12.4 percent respectively.
Note: Urban and Rural areas are defined in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) based on the boundaries decided by the US Census Bureau which considers population and housing density.
Data source: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021; ii) California Public Road Data 2020. pp. 15-17, Table 4 2020 HPMS.
Urban crashes accounted for 90 percent of all fatal bicycle crashes compared to the 10 percent that occurred on rural roads.
Principal arterials were the most common location for fatal bicycle crashes accounting for 38 percent.
Minor arterials, followed by major collectors made up the second and third most common crash locations in fatal bicycle crashes, accounting for 21 and 17 percent.
Local streets, Minor Collectors, Interstates, and Other Freeways and Expressways constitute the remaining 24 percent.
Data sources: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021; ii) Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021
Male bicyclists made up 88 percent of bicycle fatalities while also making up 80 percent of all seriously injured bicyclists in 2021.
Bicyclists aged 55-64 were the most represented group in bicycle crashes in 2021, making up 20.7 percent of fatalities and 20.3 of serious injuries.
Race was reported in only 32.0 percent of bicycle fatalities in 2021. Of the 40 bicycle fatalities in 2021 with a known race, 80 percent were white.
Note: For more information on the different Crash Types, please see the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) Help FAQ page, in the Codebook - Crash Level Section
Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021
Broadside crashes were the most common type of bicycle FSI crashes in 2021 making up 33.2 percent, followed by other (23.1 percent) and rear end (11.3 percent.)
Overturned crashes followed by head-on crashes made up the fourth and fifth most common type of bicycle FSI crashes in 2021 accounting for 8.2 and 7.5 percent respectively.
Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021
The peak period of all fatal bicycle crashes in 2021 was Friday night between 9pm and midnight.
37.6 percent of all fatal bicycle crashes in 2021 occurred between 6pm and midnight.
36.0 percent of fatal bicycle crashes in 2021 occurred on Tuesday and Friday.
Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021
The peak period of all serious injury bicycle crashes in 2021 was Saturday afternoon between 12pm and 3pm.
39.9 percent of all serious injury bicycle crashes in 2021 occurred between 3pm and 9pm.
32.6 percent of serious injury bicycle crashes in 2021 occurred on Wednesday and Saturday.