Bicycle Fatalities in California
I recently read about a fatal bicycle crash in Hayward that happened late at night near an intersection. What are some of the biggest dangers bicyclists face on California roads, especially at night and around intersections? What can drivers and bicyclists do to reduce the risk of a serious crash?
Bicycle safety remains a serious concern on California roads, especially as drivers and bicyclists continue to share busy streets and intersections.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 145 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes statewide in 2023. Nationally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 1,103 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2024. NHTSA also reports that bicyclist deaths are highest during the months of July through October.
Serious bicycle crashes can happen for a number of reasons, and both drivers and bicyclists need to be mindful of one another. For drivers, failing to yield the right of way, making unsafe lane changes, and distracted driving are common causes of fatal crashes. For bicyclists, they may not be visible to drivers due to riding in the dark without lights, wearing dark clothing, or having bikes without reflectors. Other risky behaviors include:
- Riding at high speeds,
- Riding under the influence,
- Riding without a helmet and failing to adhere to basic traffic laws.
Other factors include road conditions, such as poor maintenance, loose gravel, and dangerous intersections. The time of year can also play a role, with more people taking advantage of longer days and warmer weather to ride. As noted above, NHTSA reports that bicyclist deaths are highest from July through October.
To help bring these numbers down, drivers (and bicyclists) need to realize that traffic safety is a shared responsibility. Be on the lookout for bicyclists, especially when changing lanes. Slow down if you see a bicyclist up ahead and want to turn. The few extra seconds it takes you to reach your destination could decide whether the bicyclist makes it to theirs.
As for bicyclists, just like seat belts help save lives, so do helmets. A meta-analysis of bicycle helmet efficacy by Attewell, Glase, and McFadden (2001) estimated that bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 60% and brain injury by 58%. Helmet-use laws vary by state and local jurisdiction, but wearing a properly fitted helmet remains an important safety measure for bicyclists.
The “Safety in Numbers: Pedestrian and Bicyclist Activity and Safety in Minneapolis, 2018” report indicates drivers tend to behave more safely around them when more people ride bikes together. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of obeying traffic laws. Because bicyclists can be harder for motorists to see, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions, there would be fewer collisions if everyone obeyed the traffic laws. We need to watch out for one another and help each other make it home at the end of the day.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle crash, our personal injury attorneys at Dolan Law Firm can help you understand your rights and legal options. Learn more about our bicycle accident services and personal injury practice, or contact us for more information. You can also DIAL #4HELP (#44357) to speak with our team.
