As biking turns into an more and more fashionable mode of transportation, security issues stay a major difficulty for cyclists. Nonetheless, not all states in america are created equal with regards to security for individuals who select to journey on two wheels. A current examine carried out by our staff has revealed the most secure states for cyclists within the nation.
The examine analyzed knowledge from the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) over a ten-year interval to find out which states had the bottom proportion of bicycle owner deaths per inhabitants. The outcomes have been eye-opening, with some states reporting a fatality price that was considerably decrease than the nationwide common.
The High 10 Most secure States for Cyclists
Based on the IceBike.org examine, the highest 5 most secure states for cyclists in america are:
- Nebraska: 0.77 deaths per 100,000 individuals
- South Dakota: 0.79 deaths per 100,000 individuals
- Vermont: 0.96 deaths per 100,000 individuals
- West Virginia: 1.05 deaths per 100,000 individuals
- Tennessee: 1.06 deaths per 100,000 individuals
- Missouri: 1.07 deaths per 100,000 individuals
- Rhode Island: 1.13 deaths per 100,000 individuals
- Connecticut: 1.17 deaths per 100,000 individuals
- Wyoming: 1.21 deaths per 100,000 individuals
- Massachusetts: 1.23 deaths per 100,000 individuals
These states reported a fatality price considerably decrease than the nationwide common, making them the most secure locations for cyclists to journey.
1. Nebraska
Topping the record because the most secure state for cyclists was Nebraska, which reported a fatality price of simply 0.77 deaths per 100,000 individuals. This price was 67% decrease than the nationwide common, and the state had solely 15 bicycle owner fatalities within the ten-year interval studied. Nebraska’s whole variety of bicycle owner fatalities made up simply 0.2% of all American deaths from 2010-2019.
2. South Dakota
South Dakota got here in second place, with a fatality price of 0.79 deaths per 100,000 individuals, which was 66% decrease than the nationwide common. Over the ten-year interval, South Dakota reported seven bicycle owner deaths, making up simply 0.1% of all nationwide bicycle owner deaths from 2010-2019.
3. Vermont
In third place was Vermont, reporting a fatality price of 0.96 deaths per 100,000 individuals, which was 59% decrease than the nationwide common. The state had simply six fatalities between the beginning of 2010 and the tip of 2019, making up solely 0.1% of all American bicycle owner deaths. Vermont was additionally rated the very best within the nation for funding by the League of American Bicyclists, with $10.06 spent per capita on biking and strolling from the Federal Freeway Administration (FHWA).
4. West Virginia
West Virginia got here in fourth place with a fatality price of 1.05 deaths per 100,000 individuals, which was 55% decrease than the nationwide common. The state reported 19 bicycle owner deaths over the ten-year interval.
5. Tennessee
Tennessee ranks fifth, with 1.06 deaths per 100,000 after 72 whole bicyclist fatalities between 2010 and 2019. This fatality price is 55% beneath the nationwide common. Ten bicycle owner deaths have been reported in 2015, the only highest determine within the ten years for Tennessee. Nonetheless, in line with NHTSA figures, Tennessee has the eleventh highest fatality price for drivers in america.
6. Missouri
Missouri is ranked the sixth most secure state for cyclists, based mostly on a fatality price of 1.07 deaths per 100,000, 54% decrease than the nationwide common. There have been 66 bicycle owner deaths in Missouri over the ten years, constituting simply 0.9% of the nationwide whole. 2019 had the very best fatality price for cyclists in Missouri, with 14 deaths. There have been solely two deaths the 12 months earlier than.
7. Rhode Island
Rhode Island is available in seventh place, with 1.13 bicyclist deaths per 100,000, 12 deaths whole. The fatality price is 52% decrease than the nationwide common. No bicycle owner deaths occurred in Rhode Island throughout 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2019.
8. Connecticut
Connecticut is the eighth most secure, with 1.17 bicyclist deaths per 100,000 individuals. The fatality price is 50% decrease than the nationwide common. There have been 42 bicyclist deaths over the last decade, constituting 0.5% of the nationwide determine. Bicycle owner fatalities make up simply 1.54% of Connecticut’s site visitors deaths.
9. Wyoming
Wyoming is ranked the ninth most secure state for cyclists, with 1.21 deaths per 100,000 individuals, 48% decrease than the nationwide common. Wyoming has had seven bicycle owner deaths over ten years, contributing simply 0.1% to nationwide figures. In most years, no deadly bicycle owner crashes are reported, besides in 2014, the place 5 deaths occurred, and one every in 2011 and 2016. Wyoming has the bottom proportion of bicycle owner deaths in comparison with its whole site visitors fatality numbers within the nation, at simply 0.54%.
10. Massachusetts
Massachusetts rounds off the record at quantity ten, with 1.23 deaths per 100,000 individuals, 48% decrease than the nationwide common. 85 bicycle owner deaths have occurred in The Bay State over ten years, contributing 1.1% to nationwide numbers. 2012 had the very best variety of bicycle owner deaths within the state, with 16 fatalities, nearly double the common of 8.5 for Massachusetts. 2.38%, or simply over one in 50 site visitors fatalities in Massachusetts, are cyclists.
Bicycle owner Fatalities on the Rise
The examine additionally revealed that bicycle owner fatalities have been on the rise in america, with a rise of 44% from 2010 to 2019, climbing from 4,302 deaths to six,205 deaths. The development signifies a major concern for cyclists’ security, highlighting the significance of consciousness of security pointers, which is important to make sure secure journey.
“The US, being primarily reliant on automobiles, implies that different types of transport are secondary. All through the examine, there’s a basic development of fatalities rising year-on-year. So when planning a motorcycle tour, it’s essential to know which states you’re most secure in.”
| The Most secure States for Cyclists | ||||
| Rank | State | Bicyclist deaths per 100,000 | Complete bicyclist deaths (10 years) | Inhabitants |
| 1 | Nebraska | 0.77 | 15 | 1,929,268 |
| 2 | South Dakota | 0.79 | 7 | 882,235 |
| 3 | Vermont | 0.96 | 6 | 626,299 |
| 4 | West Virginia | 1.05 | 19 | 1,805,832 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 1.06 | 72 | 6,770,010 |
| 6 | Missouri | 1.07 | 66 | 6,126,452 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1.13 | 12 | 1,057,315 |
| 8 | Connecticut | 1.17 | 42 | 3,572,665 |
| 9 | Wyoming | 1.21 | 7 | 577,737 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 1.23 | 85 | 6,902,149 |
Conclusion
Our examine sheds mild on the states that prioritize bicycle owner security and people who nonetheless have work to do to enhance security measures. Whereas the outcomes could also be shocking, they supply useful data for anybody planning a motorcycle tour or contemplating biking as a mode of transportation. With security as a high precedence, it’s important to pay attention to the potential dangers and take precautions to remain secure on the street.
