The United States experienced a significant rise in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in 2024, with over 9,000 deaths recorded on roadways. This figure represents a 65% increase compared to the toll from 2010, highlighting an escalating public safety concern.
A July report issued by the U.S. Government Accountability Office examined contributing factors to these fatalities. The investigation identified the expanding size of passenger vehicles and blind spots created by standard design features as potential risk factors that compromise driver visibility. Based on these findings, the congressional watchdog agency issued recommendations to the Department of Transportation, calling for the development of methods to assess visibility in both passenger and commercial vehicles, followed by analysis and remediation of associated risks.
The Department of Transportation’s response to these recommendations was mixed. While the agency acknowledged the first recommendation regarding the creation of visibility analysis methods, it declined to support the second recommendation related to addressing specific risks. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has expressed strong opposition to what he characterized as certain bike safety initiatives, and his department has subsequently removed references and tools pertaining to bike safety from federal government websites.
The issue has drawn attention in local communities as well. In Boston, the recent death of cyclist and bike safety advocate Louisa Gag, who was killed by a truck, sparked early discussion about the role of vehicle blind spots in the incident. Local residents have expressed heightened concern about visibility challenges, with some drivers noting their awareness of right-turn blind spots and acknowledging the difficulty of detecting cyclists in these areas.
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