In 2015, 5,376 pedestrians and 818 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts). These two modes accounted for 17.7 percent of the 35,092 total U.S. fatalities that year. Here are more facts and figues on pedestrian and bicycle crashes:
Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center
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Fifty-four percent of adults in the U.S. perceive bicycling as a convenient way to get from one place to another and 53% would like to ride more often. However, 52% worry about being hit by a car and 46% say they would be more likely to ride a bicycle if motor vehicles and bicycles were physically separated.
Measuring how America rides ? PeopleForBikes
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Many, who've been cycling for years, feel comfortable on the roads. Fine. For others, riding the roads is just too great of a risk. Those of you who work in the cycling and tourist industries might have a stake in seeing bicycle ridership increase. You also might have a stake in having a large, healthy, long-living cliental.


I can understand the hardcore cyclist solely using the roads. But that's not most people. IMO, to most people, roads are inherently unsafe, to be avoided. I can see a bicycle becoming the vehicle of choice for many more people with a safe, dedicated, exclusive trail/path system.