• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
CalBike
  • About Us
  • Get Involved
    • Reform Traffic Policing
    • Sign Our Petition for E-Bike Rebates
    • Volunteer
    • California Dream Ride
    • Join/Renew
  • What We Do
  • Resources
    • Free Quick-Build Bikeway Design Guide
    • COVID-19 & Bicycling
      • COVID-19 Bicycling FAQs
    • Learn to Bike at Any Age
    • Map & Routes
    • Crash Help
    • Register Your Bike
    • California Bicycle Laws
  • Shop
    • Get our beautiful jersey!
    • Pre-order a bicycle-themed license plate
    • Donate
  • Blog
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • COVID-19 and Bicycling
  • Fact Sheets and FAQs
  • Our Video Channel
  • 2021 Legislative Watch
  • Blog
The Latest

Urban Transportation Research Reveals Alarming Trend in US Bike Traffic Fatalities

November 18, 2020/in The Latest /by Dave Snyder

A new study compares data on pedestrian and bicycling fatality rates in the US with those in three European countries. While Europe’s fatality rates tumbled, the rate of pedestrian and bike fatalities on our roads is rising. CalBike spoke with the researchers about why the US is heading in the wrong direction and what we can do about it. In this first of two articles based on our interview with the study’s authors, we delve into the details about traffic fatalities.

The researchers looked at data from 1990 to 2018 for Germany, Denmark, the UK, and the US. John Pucher is a professor emeritus at Rutgers University. Ralph Buehler is a professor and the chair of Urban Affairs and Planning at Virginia Tech. Both specialize in urban transportation and much of their research focuses on international comparisons, like their latest study. 

Traffic fatality trends

Germany, Denmark, and the UK saw huge declines in traffic fatalities for all road users during the study period. However, traffic fatality rates fell in the U.S. by only 20%, and only for occupants of automobiles. Cars are killing people who walk and bike on U.S. streets at an increasing rate. 

The researchers calculated the fatality rates per 100M kilometers walked. From 2016 to 2018, the US saw 11.2 pedestrian deaths per 110M km. Compare that to the UK with 2.2, Denmark with 1.7, and Germany’s 1.4. The US has eight times as many pedestrian deaths per mile as Germany.

The study found that the fatality rate for bike riders is also obscenely high in the US at 6 deaths per 100M kilometers. The UK saw 1.6 bike fatalities, Germany 1, and Denmark 0.9. The US has nearly seven times as many cyclist deaths per mile as Denmark.

The Road Safety Annual Report 2020 from the International Transport Forum of the OECD confirms the conclusions of the Buehler and Pucher study. In a comparison of traffic fatality trends among 42 countries from 2000-2018, the US stood out for having the largest increases in the deaths of pedestrians (more than 40%) and bicyclists (approximately +80%). The US stands in stark contrast to most of the other countries in the report, who reduced fatality rates during this same period.

Pedestrian fatalities

Figure from OECD/ITF ROAD SAFETY ANNUAL REPORT 2020

 

Cyclist fatalities

Figure from OECD/ITF ROAD SAFETY ANNUAL REPORT 2020

“Slaughter” on the streets

“One of the problems is most of the population and especially most of the government policymakers aren’t aware of how serious the problem is,” Pucher said. “This is a slaughter.” In addition to the thousands of people killed while walking and biking on American streets, many more are injured and some will be disabled for life. 

“It’s a huge public health problem,” Pucher said. “It’s an equity issue as well.” The people most affected are people of color, lower-income people (who often can’t afford the price of safety on US streets: a car), children, and seniors. 

“What it comes down to is a political willingness at all levels of government to make pedestrian and cyclist safety a priority,” Buehler said. “It’s a second thought.”

This important research is one more addition to a growing body of research that points to the urgent need for more Complete Streets. Finding ways to increase Complete Streets is a key part of CalBike’s work. We continue to work with Caltrans to improve Caltrans-controlled roadways, which are often the most dangerous in our communities.

This article is the first of two based on our far-ranging discussion with Pucher and Buehler about their research and their recommendations for safer streets. In our second installment, they offer solutions based on their cross-cultural experience and highlight some advantages the US has in creating safer streets.

Tags: Complete Streets, featured, resource, urban planning
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://www.calbike.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Urban.jpg 645 845 Dave Snyder https://www.calbike.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/calbike-logo.png Dave Snyder2020-11-18 14:18:422020-12-21 16:36:31Urban Transportation Research Reveals Alarming Trend in US Bike Traffic Fatalities

Latest News

  • Central Valley Passage mapThe Central Valley Passage: CalBike’s Visionary Long-Distance Bike RouteJanuary 14, 2021 - 3:14 pm
  • federal support for bikingWhat to Expect from Federal Support for Biking in 2021January 13, 2021 - 4:33 pm
  • Cal the Cat in a maskCalBike’s Best and Worst of 2020December 28, 2020 - 11:37 am

BLACK LIVES MATTER

California will never have the equitable, prosperous and inclusive communities that CalBike advocates for until we address and redress anti-Black violence. We want to actively contribute to ending systemic racism, especially in transportation policy, and most especially in bicycling advocacy. We promise to listen and learn how we can best do this work. To our community members who experience the violence of racism on a daily basis: we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you.

Join the movement for better biking in California

Be the first to hear about the latest news and actions you can take to help create bike-friendly communities.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DONATE

JOIN/RENEW

CONTACT US

ABOUT US

  • About Us
  • Financials & Governance
  • Staff
  • Board of Directors
  • Local Partners
  • State and National Allies
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us

WHAT WE DO

  • Current Projects and Campaigns
  • Past Campaigns and Projects
  • California Bicycle Summit
  • Sign-On Letters

RESOURCES

  • COVID-19 and Bicycling
  • Fact Sheets and FAQs
  • Our Video Channel
  • 2021 Legislative Watch
  • Blog

EVENTS

  • California Dream Ride
  • 2021 Agenda Kickoff
CalBike Logo

California Bicycle Coalition | 1017 L Street, #288, Sacramento, CA 95814 | 916-778-0746

Made by Zac Maybury

California Bicycle Coalition
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
Year in Review: CalBike’s 2020 Accomplishments quick-build great bike rides bicycle tourism Great Bike Rides in the Sierras
Scroll to top