Study: Ohio among top five safest states for cyclists

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio is among the top five safest states for cyclists in America, a recent study found. 

The analysis, conducted by Ohio’s The Fitch Law Firm, reviewed National Highway Safety Administration data from 2022, to discover the percentage of fatal crashes involving a cyclist per state. 

Ohio came in as the third safest state for cyclists, experiencing eight deadly crashes involving a cyclist in 2022, accounting for 0.68% of its total 1,180 fatal incidents.

The study found Nebraska was the safest state, followed by Rhode Island, both of which had no fatal crashes involving a cyclist. Nebraska recorded 214 fatal crashes in 2022, while Rhode Island had 51.

West Virginia came in fourth place, with two fatal crashes involving a cyclist out of 248 deadly crashes total (0.81%). Wyoming, with one deadly cyclist-related incident out of 118 total fatal crashes (0.85%), ranked at No. 5. 

The law firm found Florida was the most dangerous state for cyclists, experiencing 223 fatal crashes involving a cyclist out of 3,298, or 6.76%, in 2022. The Sunshine State was followed by Hawaii, which experienced seven cyclist-involved fatal crashes out of 111 total (6.31%).

Completing the top five least safe states was Louisiana with 46 cyclist-involved deadly crashes out of 852 total fatal crashes (5.4%), Utah with 14 deadly crashes involving a cyclist out of 296 (4.73%), and New York with 51 crashes involving a cyclist out of 1,105 (4.62%).