A shocking new study has revealed that female cyclists in Iowa are 13 times more likely to be involved in a cycling accident than those in Nevada. San Augustine County in Texas was revealed as the most dangerous county for female cyclists with an average annual accident rate of 4.88 per 100,000 people.
The National Safety Council recorded a 16% increase in female bicycle-related accidents from 2019 to 2023 in America, highlighting an urgency for stronger road safety measures nationwide.
Cyclewear specialists, Cycology Clothing, examined the rate of fatal incidents involving female cyclists, relative to the female population (per 100,000 women) by state, to determine the localities where women face the highest and lowest risks on the road.
They collected data on fatal accidents involving female pedal-cyclists from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) filtered to female pedal cyclists by state for the years 2019 through 2023 (a five-year analysis). Additionally, 2023 female population data were obtained from the American Community Survey (ACS).
“Our research underscores the increasing number of biking-related incidents among American women,” said Sarina Tomchin, Product Designer and Founder of Cycology Clothing, commenting on the findings.
The top 10 states where female cyclists are the most vulnerable
Female cyclists in the state of Iowa are 1.3 times more likely to be involved in a biking-related accident compared to cyclists in North Dakota, with the highest average bike fatality rate of 0.78 per 100,000 people. While multiple factors may contribute to these accidents, such as limited road infrastructure for bike-dedicated lanes, reports have highlighted distracted driving as a significant factor for bike-related incidents within this state.
North Dakota is second among the most dangerous states for female cyclists, with an average fatality rate of 0.60 per 100,000. Female cyclists here are 1.2 times more likely to be involved in a roadside accident compared to neighbouring Montana (0.51 per 100,000 women).
Subsequently, Louisiana has seen the highest number of accidents within the five-year time frame compared to other states in the top 10. With the region’s higher female population, there’s greater exposure to bike-related incidents for this demographic than in states with fewer female riders.
Peak crash hours for female cyclists
The study also reveals that female cyclists are most likely to be involved in a fatal crash between the hours of 4 pm and 7 pm nationwide. This could be due to multiple factors, such as peak rush hours and higher traffic volume, affecting many cyclists on the road.
“No matter if you live in one of the safest or most dangerous states for female cyclists, there are steps we all should be taking every time we take to the road,” said Sarina Tomchin.
“I’d like to urge cyclists to stay safe by investing in good quality, high-visibility kit to protect themselves on the road, especially in low-light conditions and busy environments. Ensure that you’re well-equipped with the right safety gear each time you ride. This means wearing a well-fitted helmet, having reflective elements not only on your bike but also on your jerseys so other road users can easily spot you, along with working front and rear bike lights.”
The important message here – stay safe on the road and protect yourself. You can find cycling gear over at the Cycology Clothing website.
