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 2022, there were 1,105 bicyclists killed in a traffic crash in the United States.
Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2018 – 2021 Final File & 2022 ARF
Nationally, 1,105 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2022.
In California, there were 177 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2022.
Bicyclist fatalities increased nationally by 13.2 percent between 2021 and 2022.
Bicyclist fatalities decreased in California by 32.1 percent between 2021 and 2022.
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) National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, June, Revised). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2022. DOT HS 813 560. NHTSA, table 4, page 6; ii) State Traffic Safety Information (STSI). Traffic Safety Performance (Core Outcome) Measures for California. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, C-11
In 2022 nationwide, 2.6 percent (or 1,105) of all motor vehicle fatalities were bicyclists.
In 2022 in California, 4.0 percent (or 177) 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: 2022
In 2022, Florida, California and Texas accounted for 44.5% 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 2022.
| Ranking | Counties | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | 38 |
| 2 | Orange | 19 |
| 3 | San Bernardino | 18 |
| 4 | Riverside | 14 |
| 4 | Sacramento | 14 |
| Ranking | County | Fatalities Per 100k Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuba | 3.6 |
| 2 | Amador | 2.5 |
| 3 | Humboldt | 2.2 |
| 4 | Tuolumne | 1.8 |
| 4 | San Luis Obispo | 1.8 |
| Ranking | County | Serious Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | 239 |
| 2 | Orange | 102 |
| 3 | San Diego | 93 |
| 4 | Santa Clara | 59 |
| 5 | San Bernardino | 55 |
| Ranking | County | Serious Injuries Per 100k Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | 15.9 |
| 2 | Marin | 9.8 |
| 3 | Lake | 8.9 |
| 4 | Mendocino | 7.8 |
| 5 | Mono | 7.7 |
Note: Counties are ranked by unrounded fatalities per 100k population.
Data source: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2022; ii) State of California, Department of Finance, E-4 Population Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, 2021-2024, with 2020 Census Benchmark. Sacramento, California, May 2024.
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) 2022.
Improper turning was the most common primary crash factor in bicycle FSI crashes in 2021 making up 17.1 percent, followed by automobile right of way and unsafe speed, accounting for 16.5 and 14.9 percent respectively.
Traffic signals and signs followed by wrong side of road made up the fourth and fifth most common primary crash factor in bicycle FSI crashes in 2021, accounting for 13.4 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 2022; ii) California Public Road Data 2020. pp. 15-17, Table 4 2020 HPMS.
Urban crashes accounted for 88 percent of all fatal bicycle crashes compared to the 12 percent that occurred on rural roads.
Minor arterials were the most common location for fatal bicycle crashes accounting for 37 percent.
Principal arterials, followed by major collectors made up the second and third most common crash locations in fatal bicycle crashes, accounting for 34 and 11 percent.
Local streets, Minor Collectors, Interstates, and Other Freeways and Expressways constitute the remaining 17 percent.
Data sources: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2022; ii) Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2022
Male bicyclists made up 74 percent of bicycle fatalities while also making up 79 percent of all seriously injured bicyclists in 2022.
Bicyclists aged 55-64 were the most represented group in bicycle crashes in 2022, making up 20.6 percent of fatalities and 14.1 of serious injuries.
Race was reported in only 24.9 percent of bicycle fatalities in 2022. Of the 44 bicycle fatalities in 2022 with a known race, 77 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) 2022
Broadside crashes were the most common type of bicycle FSI crashes in 2022 making up 33.2 percent, followed by other (22.3 percent) and rear end (11.2 percent.)
Sideswipe crashes followed by head-on crashes made up the fourth and fifth most common type of bicycle FSI crashes in 2022 accounting for 9.3 and 7.3 percent respectively.
Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2022
The peak period of all fatal bicycle crashes in 2022 was Thursday night between 6pm and 9pm.
42.3 percent of all fatal bicycle crashes in 2022 occurred between 3pm and 9pm.
44.3 percent of fatal bicycle crashes in 2022 occurred on Thursday and Saturday.
Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2022
The peak period of all serious injury bicycle crashes in 2022 was Friday afternoon between 3pm and 6pm.
41.5 percent of all serious injury bicycle crashes in 2022 occurred between 3pm and 9pm.
32.3 percent of serious injury bicycle crashes in 2021 occurred on Friday and Saturday.