Bicyclists face many different hazards on the road, whether they become involved in a crash due to traffic congestion, heavy rain or reckless driving. On a bike, cyclists are especially likely to suffer serious injuries or die when a vehicle hits them. Sadly, many cyclists lose their lives in motor vehicle collisions every year.
A fatal bike accident can leave families with many hardships that haunt them for the rest of their lives. Emotional pain that never goes away and financial problems due to hospital bills or funeral expenses are just some of the hardships that the loved ones of those killed often experience.
Data on deadly bike accidents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that each year, close to 1,000 bicyclists lose their lives in fatal traffic collisions. Furthermore, cyclists make up more than 2% of all motor vehicle crash deaths even though bike trips only represent 1% of all trips on U.S. roads. On an annual basis, injuries and deaths due to bike accidents generally cause more than $23 billion in costs across the U.S.
Fatal bike accident risk factors
The CDC also points out that certain age groups are especially likely to lose their lives in bike accidents. Cyclists between the ages of 55 and 69 have higher rates of bike accident deaths when compared to all other age groups, and males are six times more likely to die in bike accidents. Most deadly bike accidents take place outside of intersections and on urban roads.
It is critical for drivers and cyclists to remember that a fatal bike accident can occur whenever moving vehicles are around bicyclists.
