Age-Specific Bicycling Safety Trends, 1985–2015

Bicyclist fatalities have been in decline over the last thirty years, and closer analysis shows cycling safety rates improving. This research, however, notes age-specific differences in the direction and magnitude of this trend. Using fatality data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and exposure data from the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), the authors disaggregate age-specific trends for children (aged 7-17 years) and adults (aged 18+ years). Results suggest that overall declines in bicyclist fatality rates have been primarily driven by a sharp decline in child bicyclist fatality rates, while adult bicyclist fatality rates have generally trended upwards. This work will hopefully add to the understanding of the dynamics of bicycling safety and define future research with regard to the importance of considering age-specific impacts.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANF20 Standing Committee on Bicycle Transportation.
• Authors:
  • Ferenchak, Nicholas N
  • Marshall, Wesley
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2018-1-7 to 2018-1-11
• Date: 2018

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 5p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adults; Age; Bicycling; Children; Fatalities; Safety; Trend (Statistics)
• Identifier Terms: Fatality Analysis Reporting System
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01656826
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 18-01245
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 22 2018 10:49AM