Bicycle Accident Statistics: Injuries, Fatalities & Global Trends

In the United States, there were an estimated 450,000 bicycle-related injuries treated in emergency departments in 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of those, 783 were fatal.

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are approximately 1.35 million bicycle-related deaths each year.

The risk of being injured in a bicycle accident varies by a number of factors, including the type of bicycle, the location of the accident, and the age of the rider. For example, children and older adults are more likely to be injured in bicycle accidents than other age groups.

Bicycle accidents can be caused by a number of factors, including:

* Motor vehicle accidents

* Road hazards, such as potholes and debris

* Lack of visibility, such as riding at night without lights

* Rider error, such as speeding or failing to yield the right of way

There are a number of things that cyclists can do to reduce their risk of being injured in an accident, including:

* Wearing a helmet

* Obeying traffic laws

* Using hand signals

* Being aware of your surroundings

* Riding defensively