Active Transportation Safety - Demographics

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Demographics

Source: WSDOT Active Transportation Division.

Note: Population data does not include the category other/unknown. Data has been updated for these charts and as a result may not exactly match text from earlier versions of the article due to updates within the Coded Fatality Files and WSDOT Engineering Crash Datamart.

Performance analysis

2023

Rates of pedestrian and bicyclist traffic crashes vary by demographic

The over-representation of pedestrian and bicyclist traffic crashes in American Indian/Alaska Native Washingtonians indicates a need for a commitment to equity for historically transportation-disadvantaged populations.

American Indian/Alaska Native Washingtonians were involved in 5.1% of the state's pedestrian and bicyclist fatal crashes in 2023, yet they comprised 1.6% of the population.

In 2023, Black Washingtonians were also overrepresented in pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities. They represent 3.8% of the state's population and comprised 5.7% of these fatalities.

2022

Rates of pedestrian, bicyclist traffic crashes vary by demographic

The over-representation of pedestrian and bicyclist traffic crashes in American Indian/Alaska Native Washingtonians indicates a need for a commitment to equity for historically transportation-disadvantaged populations.

American Indian/Alaska Native Washingtonians were involved in 5.4% of the state's pedestrian and bicyclist fatal crashes in 2022 yet they comprised 1.2% of the population.

In 2022, Black people were not overrepresented in pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities as they are 4.1% of the state's population and comprised 4.1% of these fatalities. In 2021, 5.0% of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in Washington involved Black people, who made up 3.7% of the state's population.

2021

Rates of pedestrian, bicyclist traffic crashes vary by demographic

Even though people who are American Indian/Alaska Native, and Black make up only 5.0% of the state's population, they were involved in 10.9% of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities from 2012-2021.

American Indian/Alaska Native Washingtonians made up 5.9% of the state's pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities from 2012-2021, but 1.3% of the population. Similarly, 5.0% of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in Washington during this period involved Black people, who made up 3.7% of the state's population.

The over-representation of these groups indicates a need for a commitment to equity for historically transportation-disadvantaged populations.

2020

Rates of pedestrian and bicyclist traffic crashes vary by demographic

The percentages of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities involving people who are American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, or Hispanic were greater than the percentage of those race/ethnicity groups in the total population.

Bicyclists and pedestrians in their 20s more likely to be killed or injured than other age groups. People in their 20s are more likely to be killed or seriously injured while walking or bicycling than members of other age groups. The percentages of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities from 2010-2019 (the latest data available) involving people who are American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, or Hispanic were greater than the percentage of those race/ethnicity groups in the total population.

American Indian/Alaska Native Washingtonians made up 5% of the states pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities during this period, but 2% of the population. Similarly, 5% of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in Washington during this period involved Black people, who made up 4% of the state's population. Finally, while 12% of the state's population was Hispanic, 14% of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities involved a Hispanic person. The over representation of these groups indicates a need for a commitment to equity for historically transportation-disadvantaged populations.This demographic made up 14% of the total state population but was involved in 18% of all pedestrian and bicyclist fatal and serious injury crashes during the 10-year period 2010-2019.

2019

Rates of pedestrian, bicyclist traffic crashes vary by demographic

The rates of fatalities and serious injuries to bicyclists and pedestrians vary depending on several demographic characteristics, including age, income and race.

Bicyclists and pedestrians in their 20s more likely to be killed or injured than other age groups. People in their 20s are more likely to be killed or seriously injured while walking or bicycling than members of other age groups. The percentages of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities from 2010-2019 (the latest data available) involving people who are American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, or Hispanic were greater than the percentage of those race/ethnicity groups in the total population.

American Indian/Alaska Native Washingtonians made up 5% of the states pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities during this period, but 2% of the population. Similarly, 5% of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in Washington during this period involved Black people, who made up 4% of the state's population. Finally, while 12% of the state's population was Hispanic, 14% of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities involved a Hispanic person. The over representation of these groups indicates a need for a commitment to equity for historically transportation-disadvantaged populations. This demographic made up 14% of the total state population but was involved in 18% of all pedestrian and bicyclist fatal and serious injury crashes during the 10-year period 2010-2019.

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