Missouri’s the 2nd least bicycle friendly state. It doesn’t have to be | Opinion

Bicycling provides excellent aerobic exercise and is a good social activity. It is also often a cost effective and environmentally sound form of commuting. Missouri boasts the 264-mile Katy Trail, which runs from Pleasant Hill to Machens, and is the longest rails-to-trails project in the United States.

Yet although Missouri has the Katy Trail and some shorter routes, the overall bicycling situation is mediocre throughout the state. The League of American Bicyclists 2024 report card rates Missouri as the 49th of the 50 states in terms of being “bicycle friendly.” Missouri spends only $1.34 per person per year on walking and bicycling trials and programs. Only 0.2% of our state’s residents use bicycles for work commuting, and Missouri is ranked 32 out of 50 states in overall bicycle safety in this 2024 report.

Although there are many benefits to cycling, safety is a big concern. There have been alarming recent increases in accidental bicycle deaths and severe injuries in the United States. From 2010 to 2024, U.S. annual bicycle deaths rose 87%, from 623 to 1,166. Missouri bicycle accident fatalities jumped from eight in 2023 to 18 in 2024. A study of 58,933 bicycle related emergency room visits reported that serious bike injuries rose 13% between 2017 and 2020 nationwide.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Bike related deaths and injuries can be reduced by many strategies, including:

• Building more bike trails and bike lanes. Stop and alert signs located near road and bike trail intersections are also useful for alerting drivers.
• Setting slower traffic speeds. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation are sobering. The chance of a pedestrian or cyclist dying after being hit by a motor vehicle is about 10% when the vehicle is traveling at 23 mph, 50% at 42 mph and 90% at 58 mph. Americans generally drive faster than people in Western Europe, with about half of all U.S. drivers admitting to regularly driving 15 mph or more above the limit. Compared to the United States, the overall traffic death rate per distance driven is 57% lower in Norway, 52% lower in Sweden, 45% lower in the United Kingdom and 38% lower in Canada.
• Enforcing existing motorist speeding and drunk driving laws better.
• Cyclists always wearing helmets. A Wisconsin survey of 1,661 cyclists reported that only 39% always or usually used bike helmets. A meta-analysis of 43 published studies reported helmet use reduced risk of serious head injury by 31%, and reduced risk of fatal head injury by 35%. 
• Using bike lights. A Danish study reported a 19% reduction in accidents on bikes with permanent running lights.
• Observing general safety guidlines. Wear comfortable shoes and bright clothes. Make sure bike handlebars, seat and brakes are well fitted and adjusted.
• Buying a bike with disk brakes. Disk brakes are much more effective than rim brakes — especially in wet weather.
• Following all safety rules and trying to avoid heavy-traveled and high-speed roads if possible, and using bike trials or lanes if available. Ride on sidewalks only in areas where this is allowed.
• Making sure children and other new bike riders get proper instruction.

Bicyclists deserve to be safe, whether they commute or enjoy riding for fun. Saving lives means cooperation. I urge both public officials and the general population to pay much more attention to bike safety.

Luke Curtis of Jefferson City has been an industrial hygienist for 26 years and has extensive experience in occupational and environmental health and safety.