May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists. As we gear up to celebrate, we'll take a look at the top five safest and most dangerous U.S. cities for bicyclists.
Best Cities for Bike Safety
The following list, released by Metromile in 2021, ranks U.S. cities based on their “Bike Scores,” which measure bike-ability based on factors such as access to bike lanes, connectivity throughout the city, and more. In addition, it also factors in the number of bicyclist fatalities as provided by the more recent Traffic Safety Facts Report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
1. Minneapolis, MN
The city of Minneapolis tops the charts for bicycle safety, ranking as one of the top cities for bike commuters. According to the city’s website, cyclists can take advantage of 98 miles of bike lanes and 101 miles of off-street trails and bikeways.
2. Portland, OR
A true bicyclist utopia, Portland offers a number of bike-friendly features including bike-specific traffic signs and bike boxes to help protect cyclists from traffic accidents. It also has 385 miles of bikeways, with more on the way.
3. Denver, CO
The Mile High City works hard to create a safe, convenient, and reliable environment for bicyclists. The city has recognized the value of bicycle travel and has set a goal of completing 125 new miles of protected bike lanes by December of 2023.
4. Chicago, IL
With some major perks for cyclists including over 303 miles of on-street bikeways and over 55 miles of off-street trails, the city of Chicago is another cyclist-friendly city. The city of Chicago strives to provide cyclists with the ability to feel comfortable riding a bicycle throughout the city and continues to expand its bikeway network year after year.
5. San Francisco, CA
The city of San Francisco rounds out the list, making significant progress in its bike-friendliness in recent years. While there were only a few stretches of scattered bike lanes in 2013, today, the city now has 464 miles of bikeways with more planned in the coming years.
Worst Cities for Bike Safety
Sadly, bicyclist traffic fatalities have been trending higher since 2010. This increase is related to a number of factors including worsening traffic, a significant increase in distracted driving, and a higher number of cyclists on the road. The following U.S cities have been ranked as the most dangerous for cyclists, based on data from the NHTSA and the U.S. Census Bureau.
1. Stockton, CA
With a total of 14.9 cyclist fatalities per million residents, the city of Stockton tops the charts as the most dangerous U.S. city for bike riders. Annual cyclist fatalities here are 476% higher than the average, which is likely the reason why only 0.1% of workers here commute by bike.
2. Baton Rouge, LA
A close second, Baton Rouge has a cyclist fatality rate that is 449% higher than the national average. In 2015, federal highway officials designated Baton Rouge as a “focus city” for bicycling problems due to the high number of collisions and fatalities. Unfortunately, many of the same problems continue today.
3. Tampa, FL
With an average of nearly 11 fatalities per million residents each year, Tampa is the third deadliest city for bicycle riders. While the year-round sunshine makes it tempting to hop on a bicycle, factors like alcohol consumption, distracted driving, and tourists who don’t know where they’re going have all made Tampa’s roads dangerous for cyclists.
4. Sacramento, CA
Biking is on the rise in Sacramento, but so are bike-related deaths. Currently, the city is 302% more dangerous for cyclists than the U.S. average, and cyclist fatalities make up about 9.6% of total vehicle fatalities.
5. New Orleans, LA
With an average of 8.7 fatalities per 1 million residents, life in The Big Easy is far from easy for bicycle riders. From cycling safety protests to the ever-present “ghost bikes,” which are painted in white and placed at the location of fatal bicycle accidents, there are many reminders of the city’s challenges when it comes to cyclist safety.
Keep Cyclists Safe When You’re Behind the Wheel
While cyclists need to wear protective gear and follow the rules of the road, drivers behind the wheel can make a major difference when it comes to bicycle safety. If you want to do your part, consider taking a defensive driving course. These courses, which are appropriate for drivers of all ages and skill levels, will provide you with the skills you need to actively avoid collisions and help keep everyone safe.
