Rhode Island Records Highest Share of Cyclist Deaths in US as E-bike Road Risks Raise Safety Concerns

Rhode Island has emerged as the US state with the highest proportion of traffic deaths involving pedalcyclists, according to new analysis from H&P Law. Pedalcyclists accounted for 9.6% of all traffic fatalities recorded in the state during 2024, placing Rhode Island well ahead of every other state included in the ranking.

The finding is particularly notable because the state does not hold the highest position on the overall E-Bike Road Risk Index. Rhode Island recorded a score of 87.2 out of 100, placing it fourth overall, while Louisiana led the wider index with a score of 98.4.

The figures demonstrate that different measures of cycling safety can produce very different pictures. A state’s overall road risk score may reflect several factors, while the proportion of traffic fatalities involving cyclists focuses specifically on the severity of the danger faced by people travelling on bicycles.

Why does Rhode Island stand out?

Rhode Island’s 9.6% cyclist share of traffic deaths is the highest in the country in the analysis. The figure is substantially higher than the rates recorded by the states immediately below it, with Hawaii at 6.9% and Florida at 6.6%.

This makes Rhode Island an important case for understanding the relationship between cycling, road infrastructure and wider traffic safety. Although the state is geographically small, the proportion of traffic fatalities involving pedalcyclists suggests that cyclists account for a significant part of the state’s road safety burden.

The state’s pedalcyclist fatality rate was 0.315 deaths per 100,000 residents, placing Rhode Island among the states with the highest rates measured in the analysis. The combination of a high fatality share and elevated fatality rate gives the state’s ranking additional significance.

How does Rhode Island compare with other states?

The gap between Rhode Island and other states is considerable. Hawaii ranks second, with pedalcyclists representing 6.9% of traffic deaths, while Florida follows at 6.6%.

Louisiana ranks fourth for cyclist share at 5.9%, although it occupies the top position on the overall E-Bike Road Risk Index with a score of 98.4. New York follows at 4.3%, while California records 4.2%.

Delaware, New Jersey, Arizona and Nevada complete the top ten for cyclist share of traffic deaths, with respective shares of 4.0%, 3.7%, 3.6% and 3.6%.

The differences are important because they show that cyclist fatality exposure does not necessarily move in line with an overall road-risk ranking. States can perform differently depending on whether the measurement focuses on cyclist deaths as a proportion of all fatalities, deaths per population or a broader combination of road safety factors.

Which states have the highest cyclist fatality shares?

The analysis places Rhode Island clearly at the top of the specific measure.

The table also highlights the complexity of road safety. Louisiana has the highest overall risk score despite ranking fourth for cyclist share, while Hawaii has a higher overall score than Rhode Island but a lower cyclist fatality share.

What does the data mean for travellers?

Cycling has become an increasingly visible part of urban mobility and tourism, particularly in cities where visitors use bicycles or e-bikes to explore destinations. For travellers, the figures underline the importance of understanding local road conditions rather than assuming that cycling presents the same level of risk everywhere.

Tourists using rental bicycles and e-bikes may be unfamiliar with local traffic patterns, junction layouts, road markings and cycling infrastructure. These factors can become particularly important in busy urban areas where cyclists share road space with cars, buses and commercial vehicles.

The findings also have implications for destinations seeking to promote sustainable tourism. Cycling can support lower-emission travel and provide visitors with a flexible way to experience a destination, but its growth needs to be accompanied by appropriate infrastructure, clear traffic rules and effective road safety measures.

Why does the wider e-bike risk ranking matter?

The E-Bike Road Risk Index provides another perspective on the issue. Rhode Island’s score of 87.2 places it fourth overall, while Louisiana leads with 98.4, Hawaii scores 90.9 and Arizona records 93.9.

These rankings indicate that cyclist safety cannot be reduced to one statistic. A high share of cyclist deaths can signal a particular exposure within a state’s traffic fatality profile, while an overall risk index can incorporate a broader assessment of road conditions and e-bike-related dangers.

For policymakers, the distinction matters because interventions need to respond to the underlying causes of crashes rather than simply the position of a state on a national table.

What could improve cyclist safety?

The findings reinforce the need for road designs that better separate vulnerable road users from motor traffic where appropriate. Protected cycle lanes, safer junctions, improved visibility, lower vehicle speeds and clearer road markings can all form part of a wider road safety strategy.

For tourism destinations, cyclist safety can also become part of visitor information. Rental operators, hotels, destination marketing organisations and local authorities can help visitors understand cycling rules, recommended routes and areas where additional caution may be required.

The data should therefore be viewed as a road safety signal rather than a judgement on individual destinations. Fatality statistics identify where the burden is concentrated, but detailed local research is required to establish why particular states or road environments experience higher risks. Rhode Island ranks first nationwide for the share of traffic deaths involving pedalcyclists, with cyclists accounting for 9.6% of all traffic fatalities in 2024, according to new analysis from H&P Law.

What does Rhode Island’s ranking mean for US travel?

Rhode Island’s position is significant for both residents and visitors because it demonstrates that cyclist safety remains an important consideration even in destinations where cycling may be promoted as a sustainable form of mobility.

The 9.6% share recorded in 2024 is particularly striking when compared with Maine, where the cyclist share was reported to be roughly 16 times lower. Such a large difference illustrates how widely cyclist exposure can vary between states.

For the travel industry, the issue extends beyond e-bike tourism. Visitors increasingly combine walking, cycling, public transport and traditional vehicle travel during trips, making the safety of multiple transport modes an important part of the overall visitor experience.

The latest analysis consequently provides a useful reminder that sustainable mobility and visitor safety need to develop together. Destinations that want to encourage cycling should ensure that infrastructure, education and traffic management keep pace with demand.

Rhode Island’s 9.6% cyclist share of traffic deaths places it at the top of the US ranking and highlights the importance of safer roads for vulnerable travellers. The wider figures also show that cyclist risk varies considerably between states, reinforcing the need for targeted infrastructure, better awareness and stronger road safety planning.

“Rhode Island’s ranking highlights why cyclist safety must remain central to the future of sustainable travel. As cycling and e-bike use grow among residents and visitors, destinations need infrastructure that protects vulnerable road users while supporting convenient, responsible and accessible mobility for everyone.” — Anup Kumar Keshan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World