Active Transportation Safety - Pedestrians & bicyclists

2023

Pedestrian and bicyclist traffic fatalities in Washington increase by 17.8% in 2023

Combined traffic fatalities involving pedestrians and bicyclists increased by 17.8%, from 146 deaths in 2022 to 172 deaths in 2023. The 172 deaths represented a 79.2% increase in combined pedestrian and bicyclist fatal crashes compared to 96 pedestrian and bicyclist fatal crashes that occurred in 2014.

Combined serious injuries to people walking and bicycling increased by 13.7% from 555 in 2022 to 631 in 2023. The 631 serious injuries represent a 54.7% increase from 408 in 2014.

In Washington, 154 pedestrians were killed and 474 were seriously injured in traffic crashes in 2023. This indicates:

• 7.4% increase from 135 fatalities in 2022
• 14.2% increase from 415 serious injuries in 2022
• 71.7% increase from 90 fatalities in 2014
• 54.9% increase from 306 serious injuries in 2014

In Washington, 18 bicyclists were killed and 157 were seriously injured in traffic crashes in 2023. This indicates:

• 63.6% increase from 11 fatalities in 2022
• 12.1% increase from 140 serious injuries in 2022
• 200% increase from six fatalities in 2014
• 53.9% increase from 102 serious injuries in 2014

The 10-year average for bicyclist traffic fatalities from 2014-2023 was 13.4 while the 10-year average for serious injuries crashes involving bicyclists was 114.8 for the same time frame.

2022

Pedestrian and bicyclist traffic fatalities in Washington down 8.1% in 2022

Combined traffic fatalities involving pedestrians and bicyclists decreased by 8.1%, from 160 deaths in 2021 to 147 deaths in 2022. The 147 deaths represent a 141.0 % increase in combined pedestrian and bicyclist fatal crashes compared to the 10-year low of 61 pedestrian and bicyclist fatal crashes that occurred in 2013.

There were 136 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2022, a 6.8% decrease from 146 in 2021. The 136 pedestrian fatalities in 2022 marked a 172.0% increase from the 10-year low of 50 in 2013.

There were 11 bicyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2022, a 21.4% decrease from 14 in 2021. The 11 bicyclist fatalities in 2022 was the same during the 10-year low in 2013.

Combined serious injuries to people walking and bicycling increased by 8.1% from 509 in 2021 to 550 in 2022. The 550 serious injuries represent a 60.3% increase from the 10-year low of 343 in 2013.

There were 408 pedestrians who suffered serious injuries in traffic crashes in 2022, a 0.5% decrease from 410 serious injuries in 2021. The 408 serious injuries to pedestrians in 2022 was a 56.3% increase over the 10-year low of 261 in 2013.

There were 142 bicyclists who suffered serious injuries in traffic crashes in 2022, a 43.4% increase from the 99 serious injuries in 2021. The 142 serious injuries to bicyclists was a 73.2% increase from the 10-year low of 82 in 2013.

2021

Pedestrian and bicyclist traffic fatalities in Washington state up 26% in 2021

Fatalities for pedestrians and bicyclists surged 26.0%, from 123 deaths in 2020 to 155 deaths in 2021. The 155 deaths represent a 154.1% increase in pedestrian and bicyclist fatal crashes compared to the 10-year low of 61 pedestrian and bicyclist fatal crashes that occurred in 2013. Serious injuries to people walking and bicycling increased 28.2% from 397 in 2020 to 509 in 2021.

2020

Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities stay steady from 2019 to 2020, remain above 2011 levels

There was one more fatality involving people walking, biking, traveling in wheelchairs and using other small rideable devices on Washington roadways in 2020 (117 people) than in 2019 (116 people). Combined pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities were 48.1% higher in 2020 than in 2011 (79 people). While there has been some fluctuation in the numbers of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities over the last 10 years, the long-term trend shows an overall increase.There was one more fatality involving people walking, biking, traveling in wheelchairs and using other small rideable devices on Washington roadways in 2020 (117 people) than in 2019 (116 people). Combined pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities were 48.1% higher in 2020 than in 2011 (79 people). While there has been some fluctuation in the numbers of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities over the last 10 years, the long-term trend shows an overall increase.

Pedestrian and bicyclist serious injuries decrease in 2020

Between 2019 and 2020, the total number of traffic-related serious injuries to people walking and bicycling decreased 13.9% from 461 to 397. Traffic-related serious injuries to people walking and biking have risen and fallen several times over the 10-year period from 2011 through 2020, resulting in an overall decrease of 2.9% from 409 serious injuries in 2011 to 397 in 2020.

2019

Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities drop slightly from 2018 to 2019, but stay above 2010 levels

Traffic fatalities involving pedestrians—including people in wheelchairs and those using small rideable devices such as skateboards and scooters— increased by 67.2% from 64 in 2010 to 107 in 2019. Bicyclist fatalities increased 50% from six in 2010 to nine in 2019.

Pedestrian and bicyclist serious injuries decrease in 2019

Between 2018 and 2019, the total number of traffic-related serious injuries to people walking and bicycling decreased 11% from 523 to 461—with serious injuries to people walking decreasing by 11.6%, and those to people bicycling decreasing 16.3%. Over the 10-year period from 2010 through 2019, traffic related serious injuries to people walking and biking increased from 408 injuries in 2010 to 461 in 2019 (an increase of 12.9%). The number of serious injuries rose and fell over this period, following a pattern similar to the fatality trend.