Utah Bicycle Accident Statistics
The last few decades have produced some interesting trends in cycling. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)², cycling has increased in the U.S, both in total numbers and as a percentage of the population, over the last ten years. As a method of transportation, however, bicycles are still only used about 1% of the time. Though cycling accounts for a lower percentage of usage, cycling still presents dangers:
According to the most recent national statistics from 2020³, more than 600 cyclists are killed, and an additional 48,000 were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. The most deadly year for cyclists to date was 2018, with 857 deaths.
If you were injured in a bicycle accident or lost a loved one from a fatal bike crash, our Utah bicycle accident lawyer can help claim fair compensations from the pain and suffering caused by the accident.
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Where do bicycle deaths happen?
The majority of pedal cyclist fatalities in 2020 occurred in:
- Urban areas: 35%
- Suburban: 31.9%
- Rural: 33.1%
When are bicycle accidents most likely to occur?
The two deadliest months for cyclists in 2020 were July and August. Here are the number of deaths each month:
- January: 44
- February: 26
- March: 43
- April: 40
- May: 66
- June: 67
- July 84
- August: 81
- September: 60
- October: 67
- November: 60
- December: 59
Genders of cyclist fatalities?
The majority of the pedal cyclists killed or injured in 2020 were males:
- Men: 80.1%
- Women: 12.8%
- Unknown: 7.2%
Utah State Bicycle Accident Statistics
In Utah, an average of 6 cyclists are killed, and 850 are reported seriously injured each year. Nearly 60% of bicyclists involved in a bicycle/motor vehicle crash are younger than 20 years of age, and more than three-fourths (79%) are male.
Bicycle Helmet Statistics
Utah has no state laws requiring the use of a helmet while riding a bicycle. In other states with helmet laws on the books, polls showed an 8.4% average increase in helmet usage. Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85%, according to Cleveland Clinic⁴.
On a positive note, a statewide helmet observational survey conducted in Utah in 2007 showed that 23% of elementary school-age bicyclists, 14% of secondary school-age bicyclists, and 58% of adult bicyclists wear bicycle helmets (Utah Department of Public Safety)⁵.