Bicycle Accident Statistics for California

Get Important Bike Safety Facts from Our Experienced San Diego Bike Accident Attorney

San Diego bike accident attorney Joshua Bonnici has a passion for cycling that fuels his desire to hold at-fault parties responsible after bicycle accidents. These are often underreported in California. In some states, police only write up bike accidents that involve motor vehicles (but we know a lot of factors can cause bicycle crashes). Sometimes, police will only issue citations or tickets in bike accident cases where the cars sustain enough damage to warrant a towing (but we know many high-end bicycle types and cyclist injuries can result in thousands of dollars in expenses).

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which collects accident statistics for roadway accidents, only lists bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles. One study reported that three out of four drivers who caused bicycle accidents never received citations for their crimes.

Here are some other bike accidents statistics to keep in mind while cycling, courtesy of NHTSA, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

California Bicycle Accident Statistics and Facts

  • The latest bicycle accident statistics showed 141 cyclists died in fatal California bike accidents
  • California typically ranks either first or second in total bike accident fatalities nationwide
  • Bicycle accident deaths accounted for 3 to 4 percent of the state’s total auto accident deaths, higher than the national average of around 2 percent
  • California was the first state to pass a bicycle helmet law
  • How many states have bicycle helmet laws? 22 states and the District of Columbia
  • Everyone under the age of 18 must wear a bicycle helmet according to bicycle helmet law in California

Bicycle Injuries With and Without Helmets Statistics

  • There were 48,000 bicycle injuries from auto accidents reported for the last year on record
  • Hospitals treat more than 500,000 people for bicycle accidents every year
  • Children age 15 and under account for nearly 60 percent of hospitalized bicycle injuries
  • Bicycle helmets are 85 percent effective in reducing head and brain injuries
  • If every child between the ages of 4 and 15 wore a helmet, then it would prevent up to 45,000 head injuries
  • Head injuries are the most common form of bicycle injury
  • Onroad cyclists are 40 percent more likely to experience injuries than offroad cyclists due to higher vehicle traffic and lower helmet use

How Often do Fatal Bike Accidents Happen? Bicycle Fatalities Statistics

  • Bicycle deaths make up less than 2 percent of deaths in automobile accidents
  • These deaths decreased 61 percent from 1,003 in 1975 to 616 in 2010
  • Since 2010, the number of bicycle fatalities has increased by 19 percent
  • 88 percent of the time, bicycle accident fatality victims are men
  • Most bicycle deaths happen in summer months (July, August and September) between the hours of 4 pm and 8 pm
  • In recent years, two thirds of bicycle deaths occurred in urban areas, one third in rural
  • From 2004 to 2013, the average age of a bicyclist killed in an accident was 41 years old and average age of a cyclist injured was 31
  • A quarter of bicyclists killed in accidents had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or .08 percent (BAC) or higher
  • Nearly 70 percent of bicycle deaths involve head injuries (even though only 25 percent of bicyclists wear helmets)

Hurt in a Bicycle Accident in or around San Diego? Contact Our San Diego Bike Accident Lawyer Today for Free Legal Advice

Have you or a loved one suffered injuries from a bike accident? It would be difficult to find a more knowledgeable and experienced San Diego bike accident lawyer than Joshua Bonnici. Contact the Bonnici Law Group APC today to schedule a free attorney review.