Why Cyclist Groups Lashed Out on the Latest Bike Safety Report

When Governing magazine starts running feature stories on active transportation, you know we're making some headway on raising the profile of walking and biking. 

Governing ran this story on November 4 about the recent Governors Highway Safety Association report, which called attention to an increase in cyclist deaths.  


While bicyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes increased in 22 states between 2010 and 2012, six states – California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Michigan and Texas – represented 54 percent of all fatalities.  In 2012, Florida had the highest proportion of motor vehicle related deaths that were bicyclists (5 percent), followed by California (4.3 percent) and Massachusetts (4.3 percent).


Governing says the GHSA analysis caused an uproar among bike advocates. Read Governing's coverage here.

Bike Walk Connecticut issued a measured response when asked for a CT by the Numbers story:

"The nationwide increase in cyclist fatalities on the road is tragic, but unsurprising, given the growth of the driving population and the number of cars on the road. Add to that the very real problems of distracted driving, aggressive driving, and street designs that put cyclists and pedestrians at risk. This us why we need complete streets, much better enforcement of speeding, distracted driving, and share the road laws, and the vulnerable user law that Connecticut just enacted." 

CT By the Numbers story
Governing magazine story
GHSA’s Spotlight on Highway Safety: Bicyclist Safety report