More than 1,100 people riding bicycles were killed in motor vehicle crashes across the United States in 2024, according George Palaidis of The Bike Lawyer. While every crash has unique circumstances, many bicycle and vehicle collisions continue to follow several repeated patterns. The Bike Lawyer recently highlighted three major crash scenarios that cyclists should recognize before they happen, including turning conflicts, intersection dangers, and overtaking vehicles.
Turning Vehicles Create Serious Bicycle Crash Risks
One of the most common dangerous situations involves drivers turning across a cyclist’s path. A right hook occurs when a vehicle passes a cyclist and then turns right in front of them. A left turn conflict happens when an oncoming driver turns left across a cyclist’s path.
A federal crash mechanism study examining nearly 3,000 police reported bicycle and motor vehicle crashes found that left turn conflicts were the most common specific turning pattern, accounting for about 5.9 percent of crashes. Right hook crashes represented about 2.6 percent.
Palaidis advises cyclists to watch vehicle wheels near intersections instead of relying only on eye contact with drivers. A driver looking toward a cyclist does not always mean they have recognized the rider or intend to yield.
Intersections Remain Major Crash Locations
Intersections continue to be one of the most common places where bicycle crashes occur. Federal data from 2014 through 2016 found that about 65 percent of police reported bicycle and vehicle crashes happened at intersections.
However, intersections are not where most fatal bicycle crashes occur. The latest fatality data shows that 60 percent of cyclist deaths in 2024 happened away from intersections.
Cyclists can reduce risk at intersections by slowing down, keeping hands ready for braking, and scanning traffic carefully even on familiar roads. Routine routes can create a false sense of security that causes riders to skip basic safety checks.
Overtaking Drivers Cause A Disproportionate Number Of Deaths
Passing vehicles represent one of the deadliest crash categories for cyclists. According to data discussed by Palaidis, overtaking crashes accounted for about 7 percent of bicycle motor vehicle crashes in an NTSB analysis but caused 25 percent of cyclist deaths. Speed plays a major role in these crashes. Higher speed limits are associated with significantly greater odds of fatal or serious injuries when collisions occur.
Palaidis recommends using daytime front and rear lights, maintaining a predictable riding line, staying outside the door zone near parked cars, and taking the lane when necessary to encourage drivers to make a proper pass.
Defensive riding does not remove driver responsibility. Drivers who fail to yield, pass safely, or provide adequate space can still be found negligent depending on the circumstances.