Document Type

Other

Publication Date

5-1-2024

Abstract

Bikes are among the sustainable modes of transportation and bicycling can help decrease congestion, reduce emissions, and enhance health. Due to their numerous benefits, they are currently one of the promoted modes in the United States. Yet, bicyclists are vulnerable roadway users and are subject to safety concerns. The safety challenges faced by bicyclists are more evident when looking at serious crashes. Although only 1.9% of total crashes are bicycle related, bicycle crashes account for 5.6% of fatal crashes (Alluri et al., 2017).

For years, Florida has had the largest number of bicyclist fatalities in the nation. As a result, the reduction of bicyclist crashes, including fatalities and injuries, is among the top priorities of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). For example, there were 15,716 bicycle crashes in Florida in 2018 and 2019. Of these crashes, 316 were bicyclist fatalities, 1,616 were bicyclist incapacitating injuries, and 10,754 were bicyclist other injuries (Signal4Analytics, 2023). Of the 857 bicyclist fatalities that occurred nationwide in 2018, 19% occurred in Florida (NHTSA). The numbers for the last two years show an increase in these crashes in the state with 18,349 bicycle crashes in 2022 and 2023, among which 441 were fatalities and 1639 were incapacitating injuries (Signal4Analytics, 2023).

A 2019 New York City Department of Transportation study concluded that 89% of bicyclist fatalities and serious injuries happen at intersections. A statewide analysis of bicycle crashes considering crashes and facility types and crash hot spots in Florida demonstrated that most bicycle crashes happen at signalized intersections and on urban roadways (Alluri et al., 2017). Many of those crashes also occurred during wrong-way bicycling or during motorist right turn maneuvers (right hook crashes), as shown in Figure 1-1.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.5038/MBSY8708

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