Pedestrians and bicyclists are the most vulnerable sets of people on the roads. While they’re expected to follow certain traffic and safety rules, drivers of motor vehicles have a greater responsibility to watch out for them.
Recent Google searches for ‘bike lane rules’ are up over 130% while searches asking ‘do pedestrians have the right of way’ are up over 70%, further highlighting what seems to be a lack of information and awareness that may be contributing to both pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
At the personal injury law firm of Wagner Reese, our goal is to spread awareness to help improve road safety across the country. Our study analyzed fatal crash data from nearly 300 U.S. cities with populations over 100,000, using fatal crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) — normalized by population, compared to state averages, and analyzed alongside infrastructure scores — allowing us to identify the most and least dangerous places for those walking or biking.
In the first half of 2024, 3,304 pedestrians were killed across the U.S., a 48% increase from just a decade ago. As for bicyclists, nearly 1,000 of them die in crashes across the country every single year.
These preventable tragedies have left families grieving and communities looking for ways to improve safety. The key to reducing these numbers is in looking at the data and discovering what makes certain cities more dangerous than others, as well as what safer cities are doing right to protect cyclists and pedestrians.
With Baton Rouge ranking at the top of the most dangerous cities and New York City as the safest, it is crucial to examine these factors. At Wagner Reese, we are committed to helping victims of serious pedestrian and cyclist crashes pursue legal justice.
Through this compilation of data, we examine where cyclists and pedestrians face the highest and lowest risk of fatal crashes. This data was compiled from nearly 300 U.S. cities, using pedestrian accident statistics and bicycle accident statistics related to deaths, state-level benchmarks, and infrastructure scores to create an overall risk score for pedestrians and bicyclists.
In reviewing this data, it is important to understand that there isn’t one single factor that causes pedestrian and cyclist deaths, but rather, a combination that creates these deadly results. Here is a look at these factors and how they all play a role in the rise of pedestrian, cyclist, and overall traffic fatalities:
More traffic on the road means there is a greater likelihood of traffic accidents of any type.
While living in walkable cities doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be more pedestrian or bicycle accidents, as witnessed by NYC’s safe city scores, they do contribute to more commuters on foot, on bicycle, or using public transportation.
As in other types of motor vehicle accidents, distracted driving continues to plague the nation’s roads. Drivers who are texting, eating, looking up directions on a GPS, and engaging in other distracting activities behind the wheel are more likely to hit pedestrians or cyclists, especially in congested traffic conditions.
Some cities have gone all-in on protecting pedestrians and cyclists by stepping up enforcement on the roads. However, others may not have enough law enforcement officers to monitor the most critical areas.
A lack of lighting on the roads and insufficient miles of bike lanes can also significantly impact safety.
According to the CDC, SUVs and pickup trucks are more likely to hit pedestrians and cyclists when turning, and the added size and weight of these types of vehicles means they are 50 to 100% more likely to die from their injuries, contributing significantly to vehicle fatalities.
Our analysis highlights U.S. cities with populations over 100,000 that pose the greatest dangers for fatal accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists. Cities in the South and Southwest dominate the top set of rankings, with Baton Rouge, Tucson, and Jacksonville all reporting high numbers of fatal bike accidents and pedestrian fatalities.
| Rank | City | State | Pedestrian Fatality Score | Cyclist Fatality Score | Joint Pedestrian & Cyclist Fatality Score | Fatality Rate vs. State Average | Walk Score | Bike Score | Overall Risk Score |
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Our analysis highlights U.S. cities with populations over 100,000 that pose the greatest dangers for fatal accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists. Cities in the South and Southwest dominate the top set of rankings, with Baton Rouge, Tucson, and Jacksonville all reporting high numbers of fatal bike accidents and pedestrian fatalities.
Not all cities are dangerous for pedestrians or cyclists. Cities in the Northeast and Midwest seem to have scored better as some of the safest cities for cycling and walking. New York City, though one of the most populous in the nation, is the safest place for pedestrians and cyclists, followed by Irvine and Boston. A combination of factors focused on the safety of cyclists and pedestrians may hold the key to these low fatality ratings.
Although some cities attempt to minimize the risks for cyclists and pedestrians, injuries and fatalities still occur. Infrastructure remains a common thread, though there are cities that have these things in place, with high risks to these road users.
This is largely attributed to other factors that can override the best intentions of city planners. One example is having high-speed roads located near residential or commercial areas. While the infrastructure for motor vehicles is there, more needs to be done to allow for safe traversing on foot or bicycle.
Some U.S. cities have dangerous roads with poor visibility at intersections, making it difficult for motorists to see pedestrians or bicyclists until it is too late. Others lack lighting, causing more issues after sunset. A lack of crosswalks and protected bike lanes also puts this subset of the population in greater danger, as does limited traffic enforcement in high-risk zones.
No matter how well a city has updated the roads to better accommodate the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, a significant problem remains with distracted drivers and aggressive drivers. More attention needs to be given to public awareness paired with active law enforcement to help reduce injuries and fatalities that give rise to both pedestrian accident claims and bicycle accident claims.
If you regularly walk or ride your bike, you should know what to do in the event you are ever hurt in an accident. Seeking legal help through a personal injury lawyer is one of the best ways to protect your rights.
In the immediate aftermath, make sure that you receive prompt medical attention. In the vast majority of these types of accidents, victims will have visible injuries. However, even if you think.
You got lucky and just have a few scratches, it's best to get a full medical evaluation. This will put you on the road to recovery as well as create medical records that you’ll need for your bicycle accident compensation.
Calling the police is also recommended, as they can help document the scene and issue citations to the driver who caused the accident. You should also take photos and videos of your injuries, your bicycle if you were riding one, and the surrounding area. Speak to witnesses who saw your accident and have them record a statement on their phone, including their contact information.
Most importantly, contact a bicycle accident lawyer or a pedestrian accident lawyer. Insurance companies will often try to minimize payouts and may even try to blame you for not following the rules of the road for bicyclists and pedestrians. If someone negligently crashed into you, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, long-term recovery support, emotional damages, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Navigating the legal process can be incredibly complex, and with painful injuries, it adds stress that hinders your healing. Wagner Reese is the personal injury law firm you need when you have a pedestrian accident lawsuit or a bike accident claim. We investigate, gather evidence, negotiate, and work to serve justice on your behalf.
While cities that rank as the most dangerous should take these insights to help make improvements, it is still vital for both cyclists and pedestrians to make the right choices. The steps you take can go a long way in protecting your safety when walking or biking.
This study ranked over 290 U.S. cities with populations over 100,000 using the U.S. Census ACS to evaluate the cyclist fatality rate per 100,000 residents, pedestrian fatality score per 100,000 residents, combined pedestrian and cyclist fatality score, fatality rate vs state average, walk score, and bike score. Scores were normalized and combined to create an overall ranking, providing a comprehensive view of these fatalities.
Cities were evaluated on these metrics, with higher scores indicating greater risks. By weighting these factors, this study offers a balanced assessment of the fatality rates in these cities for those walking or biking, highlighting the areas with the highest and lowest dangers for these road users.
Data for these metrics was sourced from the U.S. Census, NHTSA, FARS, GHSA, and walkScore.com, ensuring a well-rounded assessment of fatal bicycle and pedestrian accidents.
Cyclist fatalities, bicycle fatalities, and pedestrian deaths are rising, and in certain cities, they are becoming more frequent, even though they are preventable. While population growth is a factor itself, making it more likely to occur in areas with more vehicles, other factors remain at play.
Cities have a role to keep residents and visitors safe, and by revamping infrastructure to ensure the safety of all, whether in motor vehicles, on bicycles, or on foot, they will be taking steps in the right direction. However, making one change will not resolve these issues — it requires stepping up law enforcement, raising awareness around bike fatalities, and promoting public education for drivers and all road users alike.
At Wagner Reese, it is our mission to advocate for safer communities across the nation. When a bike or pedestrian accident occurs, we fight to help victims seek justice and compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured while walking or biking, contact Wagner Reese for the legal support you need in your time of need.
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