Fatality Facts 2023: Bicyclists
Cited in 2 Likelier entries (2 risks, 0 decisions).
Used in 2 entries
For each citing entry, the verbatim excerpt and Likelier's calculation notes (how the source's number was converted to the lifetime-probability framing) are shown below. Click through to read the full claim ledger.
-
- Statistic
1,155 US bicyclists killed in 2023 (highest ever recorded); bicyclist deaths up 86% since their 2010 low
“"A total of 1,155 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles in 2023, the highest number ever recorded."”
Calculation notes
IIHS compiles NHTSA FARS fatality counts for bicyclists. Used here as the corroborating source for the US fatality numerator (roughly 1,100-1,200 cyclist deaths per year). IIHS also reports that cyclist deaths have risen sharply since 2010 while cycling exposure has not, which is consistent with infrastructure and driver-behavior drivers dominating any helmet-related trend.
Independence note: IIHS draws from NHTSA FARS, which is a separate dataset from the CDC NEISS ED sample and the peer-reviewed meta-analysis. Used as the US mortality cross-check.
Source date: 2024-12-01 · Accessed: 2026-04-11
-
- Statistic
1,163 bicyclists killed in crashes with motor vehicles in 2023; about 2%-3% of motor vehicle crash deaths are bicyclists each year; deaths among bicyclists age 20 and older have increased almost fivefold since 1975
“"A total of 1,163 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles in 2023. ... Each year about 2%-3% of motor vehicle crash deaths are bicyclists."”
Calculation notes
IIHS uses a slightly different coding methodology than NHTSA FARS, producing a 2023 figure of 1,163 vs NHTSA's 1,166. Both are used as corroboration that the annual US cyclist fatality count from motor vehicle crashes is reliably in the 1,100–1,200 range in recent years. The IIHS trend data also establishes that fatality counts have risen substantially since 2010 (from a low near 620), which means the per-mile rate used may slightly understate current risk if cycling miles have not grown proportionally.
Source date: 2024-12-01 · Accessed: 2026-05-04
Also cited in these entries
Cycling w/o helmet
What are the odds of serious head injury when cycling without a helmet?
Cyclist killed by car
What are the odds of being killed by a motor vehicle while cycling?