Health Fact Sheets
Circumstances surrounding cycling fatalities in Canada, 2006 to 2017

While cycling, both as a means of transportation and a leisure activity, is a physical activity with recognized health benefits, injury events can occur.

According to data from the Canadian Vital Statistics: Death Database (CVSD), between 2006 and 2017, 890 cyclists died in Canada, an average of 74 deaths per year.^Note  Over the same period, the age-standardized cycling death rate decreased from 2.5 in 2006 to 1.3 deaths per 1,000,000 population in 2017.^Note  Similarly, the crude rate of collisions involving a cyclist fell from 228 to 151 per 1,000,000 population between 2006 and 2017.^Note 

Collisions with a motor vehicle made up 73% of fatal cycling events (CVSD). The other events that led to cycling fatalities include for example, collisions with another cyclist or with a stationary object (25%). In 2% of fatal cycling events the cause remains unknown.

Understanding the circumstances surrounding cycling fatalities is the starting point for implementing preventive measures. Although the circumstances are not always known, important insights can be gained from looking at what has been reported.

Nearly 6 male cyclist fatalities were recorded for every female cyclist fatality

From 2006 to 2017, 5.6 male cyclist deaths were recorded for every female cyclist death (CVSD). Just under one-third of deaths involved cyclists aged 50 to 64 years (27%), followed by cyclists aged 35 to 49 years (22%) and 65 years and over (19%). The proportion of deaths was similar for cyclists aged less than 20 years and 20-34 years (16% and 15% respectively).

Approximately 1 in 3 cyclists involved in a fatal event was not wearing a helmet

Wearing a helmet is a recognized way to protect against head injuries while cycling. In 48% of cycling fatalities, information about helmet use was reported in the Canadian Coroner and Medical Examiner Database (CCMED).^Note  From 2006 to 2017, 32% of individuals involved in cycling fatalities were not wearing a helmet.

The proportion of cyclists who died not wearing a helmet was higher among men

In Canada, the proportion of cyclists who reported always wearing a helmet in 2017 was higher among women (49%) than among men (43%).^Note  According to CCMED data, 34% of male cyclists who died were not wearing a helmet, compared with 21% among female cyclists.

The proportion of cyclists who died not wearing a helmet was higher among cyclists under the age of 20

More than 4 cyclists in 10 (44%) under the age of 20 and more than one-third (34%) of those between 20 and 34 years were not wearing a helmet during the fatal event. The proportion of cyclists who were not wearing a helmet was similar among those 50 to 64 years (31%) and those 65 years and over (31%). Among cyclist fatalities between the ages of 35 and 49, 25% were not wearing a helmet.

Among cyclists involved in fatal events, 13% were wearing a helmet

Among cyclists involved in fatal events, 13% were wearing a helmet. Unfortunately, even when a helmet is worn, fatal injuries may still occur, such as very severe head injuries or injuries affecting other areas of the body such as the cervical spine or chest. This means that besides wearing a helmet, other factors could play a role in preventing traffic related injuries.

Alcohol and/or drugs may have played a role in 1 out of 10 cycling fatalities

From 2006 to 2017, alcohol and/or drug use by the cyclist may have played a role in 12% of cycling fatalities (CCMED). This represents 13% of male and 3% of female cyclist deaths.

The proportion of cyclists involved in a fatal event while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs varied by age group. The distribution was very similar among cyclists 20 to 34 years (17%), 35 to 49 years (14%), and 50 to 64 years (14%), however lower among youth aged 14 to 19 years (9%) and those aged 65 years and over (4%).

In approximately 1 in 3 cycling fatalities, road safety rules may not have been respected

From 2006 to 2017, not following road safety rules may have played a role in 32% of cycling fatalities (CCMED). It is possible that the cyclist, the other party, or both may not have followed the road safety rules.

A non-exhaustive list of examples are:

• Not stopping at a red light or obeying a stop sign, unsafe lane change or change of direction—both by the cyclist and the other involved party.
• Cyclist wearing dark clothing, no lights on the bike when riding at dusk, riding on the sidewalk, riding against traffic and wearing headphones.
• The involved party speeding, distracted driving, and opening the door of a parked vehicle into the path of the cyclist.

In 10% of fatalities, the coroner or medical examiner could not determine whether a contributing action or inaction had been made by one of the parties, often due to a lack of witnesses or unclear evidence. In 49% of fatalities the information about road safety rules was not available.

More than 5 in 10 cycling deaths occurred in an urban setting

More than 5 in 10 (56%) fatal cycling events occurred in an urban setting, compared with 14% in a rural setting (CCMED).

In both urban and rural areas, 4% of cycling fatalities occurred on bike lanes/paths, despite belief these are considered a safe space for cyclists. Factors observed in these deaths included vehicles and cyclists not properly sharing the road, cyclists’ not obeying a stop sign or red light, and collisions between cyclists. The information about setting and whether or not the cyclist was riding on a bike lane/path was not available in some cases (30% and 65% respectively).

Most cycling fatalities occurred during evening rush hour

The time of occurrence of the event was known in 51% of cycling fatalities. Between 16:01 and 20:00 is when the highest percentage (16%) of cycling fatalities occurred. This period corresponds to the late afternoon rush hour and the onset of nightfall.

Environmental conditions that affect visibility, such as darkness, rain or blinding sunlight, appear to have played a role in 21% of fatal cycling events.

References

Götschi, T., J. Garrard and B. Giles-Corti. 2016. Cycling as a Part of Daily Life: A Review of Health Perspectives. Transport Reviews. Vol. 36, no 1. (accessed June 4, 2019).

Goudie, R. and J.L. Page. 2013. Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine position statement: Mandatory use of bicycle helmets. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. Vol 23, 2013, p. 417-418. (accessed June 14, 2019)

Office of the Chief Coroner. 2012. Cycling Death Review. Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. (accessed May 3, 2019).

Ramage-Morin, P. L. 2017. Cycling in Canada. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003-X. Ottawa, Ontario. (accessed June 15, 2019).

Transport Canada. 2011. Road safety in Canada. Catalogue number T46-54/1-2011E. ISBN 978-1-100-18621-4. (accessed July 5, 2019)