The deaths of cyclists in New York are a regular occurrence, and 2025 has been no exception, even with efforts by the authorities. Even with just 87 traffic fatalities in the first half of the year, a record, cyclists remain under threat, and there is still over half a year to go. This article examines the situation and what is being done to address it.
Trends in Cyclist Fatalities and Injuries
In the first six months of the year, the total number of traffic fatalities constituted 87, which is 32 percent less as opposed to that in the corresponding period of 2024, and one cyclist on a standard bicycle was killed, the lowest figure over the last several years.
Based on cyclist fatalities data, it is better to conclude that New York has done much to change the game in the number of fatalities on the road, which is something to be given a thumbs-up in 2025. However, serious injuries are also not something to be ignored: In 2024 alone, 5,148 cases of cyclists who suffered injuries were registered, and almost an equal number will be registered in 2025.
National statistics are more grim, though: on a national level, deaths among cyclists rose 87 percent since 2010. It means that despite the fact that the Vision Zero campaign has been partially successful, bicyclists are exposed to many risks, in particular, the increased number of e-bike crashes.
| Year | Total traffic fatalities | Cyclist deaths | % |
| 2013 | 292 | 13 | 4.5% |
| 2018 | 203 | 10 | 4.9% |
| 2023 | 265 | 30 | 11.3% |
| 2024 | 239 | 24 | 10% |
These statistics point out the fact that, though the number of accidents is generally reducing, the magnitude of accidents is increasing, particularly in the absence of covered bike lanes.
Principal Reasons for Bicycle Accidents
The most common reason for accidents is driver distraction. This was the cause of 1,544 injured cyclists in 2024. The second most common reason is right-of-way failure (648 injuries), followed by mistakes made by pedestrians and cyclists themselves (467 injuries).
Other causes include:
- Ignores traffic signs;
- Tailgating;
- Problems with the infrastructure, such as potholes or road debris.
Electric bikes have played a special part — they’ve transformed city transport, but also increased the rate of accidents. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of e-bike crash injuries rose by 10%, and in 2025, they’re appearing more and more in the figures. The bikes themselves are faster, and therefore, crashes are more dangerous. From 2020 to 2024, for example, e-bikes caused a combined total of 1,218 injuries and 13 deaths.
Accidents by Street and Borough
The safety levels across boroughs in New York City are very different. But it is encouraging to know that in Manhattan, thanks to the Vision Zero program and due to the incorporation of bike lanes, 50 percent of deaths declined in 2024, and the pattern continues.
Most dangerous streets:
| Borough | Total injuries (2024) | Cyclist injuries | % | Total fatalities | Cyclist fatalities | % |
| Brooklyn | 13,145 | 1,485 | 11.3% | 53 | 8 | 15.1% |
| Manhattan | 5,773 | 1,332 | 23.1% | 32 | 3 | 9.3% |
| Queens | 9,936 | 787 | 7.9% | 30 | 4 | 13.3% |
| Bronx | 6,024 | 451 | 7.4% | 32 | 4 | 12.5% |
| Staten Island | 1,301 | 70 | 5.3% | 11 | 0 | 0.0% |
Types of Vehicles, Seasonal and Time-Based Patterns
Major types of vehicles involved in bike accidents:
- Sedans and station wagons had 22 deaths each between 2020 and 2024;
- Box trucks — 14 deaths;
- Electric bikes — 13 fatalities;
- Buses — 6 fatalities.
Seasonally and diurnally predictable variation also exists in cyclist accidents. Summer is the most dangerous season, with 35% of cyclist deaths. It is followed by spring (25%) and autumn (29%), while winter is safest (18%).
By daypart, the split is as follows:
- Evening (18:00–23:59) 33.1% of injuries and 29.2% of deaths (2020–2024);
- Midday (12:00–13:59) and night (00:00–5:59) are the safest times, with 6.6% and 17.9% of deaths, respectively.
Evening is particularly dangerous due to poor light and tired drivers, so be extra careful, especially on narrow and poorly lit roads.
Let’s Make the City Safer for Everyone
Despite the success, bicycling in New York is facing a very threatened future. We are asking the city planners to hurry faster on developing bike lanes and encourage bicyclists to purchase helmets and reflective vests. It will enable us to ensure the safety of New York for everyone who chooses to travel using environmentally friendly options — bicycles.
