Whether you’re riding along A1A, commuting through Downtown Fort Lauderdale, crossing busy intersections in Hollywood, or using bike lanes near Las Olas Boulevard, sharing the road with vehicles remains one of the biggest risks cyclists face in Broward County.
Unlike drivers, bicyclists have very little protection during a crash. A car has airbags, seat belts, and a steel frame. A cyclist often has only a helmet standing between them and a serious injury. Here’s what the latest data reveals about bicycle accidents in Broward County
How Many Bicycle Accidents Happen in Broward County Every Day?
According to preliminary 2025 crash data, Broward County recorded 989 bicycle crashes out of 37,122 total traffic crashes. That means bicycle accidents accounted for approximately 2.7% of all reported crashes in the county. Put another way, Broward County experienced nearly three bicycle crashes every day.
While cyclists make up only a small percentage of people using the road, they often suffer some of the most serious injuries when collisions occur. Even a crash at relatively low speeds can lead to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, or long-term disability.
The slight decline from 1,008 bicycle crashes in 2024 to 989 crashes in 2025 is encouraging, but the overall numbers remain historically high.
Bicycle Crash Trends in Broward County (2022–2025)
Looking at the last four years of available data reveals a concerning long-term trend.
Between 2022 and 2024:
- Bicycle crashes increased by 31.3%
- Bicycle injuries increased by 32.1%
- Bicycle fatalities increased by 37.5%
Although 2025 showed a slight decline in crash volume compared to 2024, Broward County continues to average close to 1,000 bicycle crashes annually.
Perhaps the most alarming statistic is that fatalities rose much faster than crashes between 2023 and 2024.
While bicycle crashes increased by approximately 13%, cyclist deaths increased by more than 83%. That gap suggests many collisions became more severe, reinforcing the dangers cyclists face when sharing the road with larger vehicles.
How Many Cyclists Are Killed in Broward County Traffic Crashes?
In 2025, Broward County recorded 6 bicyclist fatalities and 222 total traffic fatalities. Although cyclists represented only a small fraction of roadway users, they accounted for nearly 3% of all traffic deaths.
These numbers highlight a reality that many riders already know. When a bicycle and a vehicle collide, the cyclist almost always absorbs the majority of the impact. A bicyclist has no steel frame, no airbags, and no seatbelt. As a result, injuries tend to be more severe, even when the crash occurs at moderate speeds. Looking back at recent years, cyclist fatalities have fluctuated significantly.
The jump from 12 cyclist deaths in 2023 to 22 in 2024 represents an 83.3% increase in fatalities in just one year.
That increase is one of the most concerning trends in Broward’s bicycle safety data.
Bicycle Injuries Remain a Major Concern
While fatalities often receive the most attention, injuries affect far more cyclists every year. Broward County reported:
- The county saw a 13.6% increase in bicyclist injuries between 2023 and 2024.
What’s especially notable is how closely injury numbers track crash totals. In 2024, Broward County recorded 1,008 bicycle crashes and 951 bicyclist injuries. In other words, nearly every reported bicycle crash resulted in an injury. This reflects the vulnerability cyclists face on busy roads. Many bicycle crashes that might be considered “minor” for vehicle occupants can result in serious harm to a rider.
National Bicycle Safety Trends Reflect Local Risks
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data reveals several trends that mirror concerns seen throughout South Florida.
According to NHTSA:
- Approximately 62% of bicyclist fatalities occur away from intersections.
- About 85% occur in urban areas.
- SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans are involved in nearly half of fatal bicycle crashes.
- More than half of bicyclist fatalities occur during dawn, dusk, or nighttime conditions.
- The highest concentration of fatal bicycle crashes occurs between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- The average age of cyclists killed in traffic crashes is 49 years old.
- These findings reinforce that bicycle crashes are not limited to recreational riders or isolated locations. Many occur during routine commutes, errands, or daily travel in urban areas where cyclists and motor vehicles regularly share the road.
What Causes So Many Bicycle Accidents?
Most bicycle crashes do not happen because a cyclist suddenly appears out of nowhere.
More often, they happen because a driver fails to see the cyclist until it is too late. Common factors associated with bicycle crashes include:
- Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Right-turn and left-turn conflicts
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Dooring incidents
- Limited visibility during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours
Regional pedestrian and bicycle safety studies have also identified intersections as recurring locations for serious crashes.
Between 2019 and 2023, intersection-related crashes accounted for dozens of pedestrian and bicycle fatalities throughout South Florida. Speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and impaired driving were also repeatedly identified as contributing factors.
The reality is simple. A driver may walk away from a crash with little more than vehicle damage. A cyclist involved in that same crash may face surgery, rehabilitation, or permanent injuries.
Where Bicycle Crashes Tend to Happen
Regional crash mapping shows bicycle and pedestrian crashes clustering along busy urban corridors, major intersections, and commercial districts where traffic volumes are highest.
For Broward County cyclists, areas with heavy vehicle traffic and frequent turning movements often present elevated risks. These places include:
- A1A and coastal corridors
- Federal Highway (US-1)
- Broward Boulevard
- Sunrise Boulevard
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale
- Las Olas Boulevard area
- Hollywood Beach corridor
The pattern seen throughout South Florida suggests that crashes are rarely isolated incidents. Instead, they often occur along corridors where cyclists and drivers interact repeatedly throughout the day. Intersections, shopping districts, and roadways with numerous driveways can create additional conflict points between vehicles and cyclists.
Bicycle Safety Tips for Broward Cyclists
While no rider can control the actions of other drivers, there are steps cyclists can take to reduce risk.
- Stay Visible: Use front and rear lights, reflective gear, and bright clothing whenever possible, particularly during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours.
- Be Extra Cautious at Intersections: Many serious bicycle crashes occur when drivers turn across a cyclist’s path or fail to yield.
- Watch for Turning Vehicles: Drivers entering driveways, parking lots, and side streets may not see an approaching cyclist.
- Ride Predictably: Following traffic laws and signaling your intentions can help drivers anticipate your movements.
- Assume Drivers May Not See You: Defensive riding can help reduce the likelihood of a collision when visibility is limited.
Behind every statistic is a person whose life changed in a matter of seconds. Those numbers serve as an important reminder that roadway safety remains a shared responsibility. Drivers, cyclists, and local agencies all play a role in reducing crashes and helping make Broward County roads safer for everyone.
If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident, our Broward County bicycle accident lawyers are here to help. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we’ve been standing up for injured Floridians since 1997, helping accident victims pursue the compensation they need to recover and move forward with their lives.