Bicyclist and Pedestrian safety at a glance:
Bicyclist and pedestrian fatality rates are lower in major U.S. cities.
Pedestrians are at a disproportionate risk of being killed in major cities.
Nationwide, bicyclists make up a disproportionate percentage of traffic fatalities.
Since 1994, on average, bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities are on the decline.
Bicyclists account for 1.8% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. Florida and California have the highest number of annual reported bicycle fatalities of the 50 states. South Carolina, Louisiana, Arkansas, and North Carolina are the riskiest states for bicyclists with the highest rate of bicycle fatalities over bicycle trips. Vermont has the lowest bicycle fatality rate among the states.
11.3% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. are pedestrians. With an average of 700 pedestrian fatalities annually over the last three years, California has the highest number of pedestrian deaths. South Carolina takes the lead for pedestrian fatality rate, however. Vermont has the lowest number of pedestrian fatalities and also has the lowest pedestrian fatality rate of the 50 states.
3% of traffic fatalities in major U.S. cities are bicyclists. Kansas City, MO has the lowest number of annual reported bicycle fatalities, the lowest bicycle fatality rate, and the lowest percentage of traffic fatalities that are bicyclists among the largest U.S. cities. New York, NY has the highest number of annual reported bicycle fatalities, but Nashville, TN ranks as the riskiest city for bicycling with the most bicyclist fatalities per bicycle trips.
Pedestrians account for 25% of traffic fatalities in major U.S. cities. Despite comprising less than 5% of trips to work and 11% of all trips, pedestrians in major U.S. cities account for over a quarter of traffic fatalities. In Honolulu, HI, New York, NY, and San Francisco, CA roughly half of all traffic fatalities are pedestrians. Along with being the safest city for bicycling, Kansas City, MO also has the lowest pedestrian fatality rate (fatalities/trips).
Urban Velo gratefully acknowledges The Alliance for Biking and Walking for an early preview of the Benchmarking Report. Your member organizations, our readers, and bicyclists and pedestrians everywhere are having a profound effect on the future of transportation in this country. Funding for the Bicycling and Walking in the United States 2010 Benchmark Report was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov), Planet Bike (www.planetbike.com), and Bikes Belong (www.bikesbelong.org).
You can download your very own copy of the Benchmarking Report from the Alliance website at: www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/site/index.php/site/memberservices/C529