Safety Topics

The number of preventable deaths from bicycle transportation incidents increased by 1% in 2024 and 37% in the last 10 years (from 1,015 in 2015 to 1,392 in 2024). The most recent nonfatal injury data are for 2023. The number of preventable nonfatal injuries increased by 1% in 2023, but declined by 29% from 480,212 in 2014 to 341,774 in 2023.

Bicycle-related deaths peak in the warmer months, starting in June, and they remain high through October. In 2024, the highest number of deaths occurred in August (116 deaths) and the fewest in January (74 deaths).

Of the 1,392 bicyclist deaths in 2024, males accounted for 88% of all bicycle deaths, over seven times the fatalities for females.

Explore preventable bicycle-related death and injury trends using this interactive chart.

The estimated number of bicycle-related injuries and fatalities varies depending on the data source. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,155 bicyclists were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023 (latest data available), a 5% increase from 1,096 in 2022. Bicyclists’ deaths accounted for 2.8% of all motor-vehicle traffic fatalities. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports 454,008 emergency department-treated injuries associated with bicycles and bicycle accessories in 2024. This estimate includes both preventable and intentional injuries. The estimates provided in the interactive chart are limited to preventable injuries and fatalities.

A meta-analysis of bicycle helmet efficacy by Attewell, Glase, and McFadden (2001) estimated that bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 60% and brain injury by 58%. As of December 1, 2025, 22 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 200 localities have bicycle helmet-use laws, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.

National Safety Council estimates and tabulations of National Center for Health Statistics mortality data obtained via WISQARS. Population data for rates are from the U.S. Census Bureau. Data from Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute retrieved March 19, 2026.

National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) All Injury Program, Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Consumer Product Commission.

Attewell, R.G., Glase, K., & McFadden, M. (2001). Bicycle helmet efficacy: A meta-analysis. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 33(3), 345-352.