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Episode 173-Bicyclist Deaths on the Roads/Joe Lavelle

Episode 173-Bicyclist Deaths on the Roads/Joe Lavelle

A brief synopsis of the episode's main discussions and takeaways as well as extended referencesI think that the Boulder 70.3 took a lot out of me...so much so that I forgot to get this sent out this morning as planned! Oops! Well, better late than never I hope....

Jeff Sankoff
June 20, 2025

In this episode we look at the data that shows the disheartening and frightening rise in bicyclist deaths on the roads since 2010. We talk about why this is happening and give some thoughts about how to manage it. Then, a conversation with the host of The Wise Athlete podcast, Joe Lavelle.

Death on the roads; is road riding worth the risks …
Joe Lavelle, the Wise Athlete
Episode takeaways:
- References used for the MMB

Death on the roads; is road riding worth the risks?

In the MMB we spotlight the increasing dangers cyclists face on the road today, a topic that weighs heavily on the minds of many. With statistics showing a shocking rise in cyclist fatalities, Jeff and Juliet dig into the science behind these incidents and share their own experiences of fear and frustration. It’s not all doom and gloom, though! They offer practical advice on how to stay safe while cycling, including the importance of visibility and the benefits of riding in groups. We also get a glimpse of the community aspect of cycling—the camaraderie, the shared struggles, and the collective push to make our roads safer. Finally, we talk about the importance of finding safe spaces to ride because the trainer is no substitute for actual road riding when it comes to gaining confidence at cornering, descending, changing gears and taking in nutrition.

Joe Lavelle, the Wise Athlete

About Joe according to Joe: “The thing you seek but can’t find is where you don’t want to look” Lifelong athlete with a love of adventure and the feeling of being close to the edge. Rock climber, mountaineer, track and crit racer. Moved to Colorado in the 90’s to take every opportunity to adventure in the mountains of Colorado in rock climbing, mountaineering, cycling, skiing along with the occasional trip to bag cherished goals in Wyoming and California as well as Europe and South America. Now residing in the Smoky Mountains, the host of the Wise Athletes podcast for older athletes seeking longevity in sport. The 165 episodes mark a 5 year personal exploration of the ways and means to fight off the declines in my physical capabilities to allow me to (1) continue enjoying the pleasures of being alive and collecting powerful memories, and (2) enable me to contribute to similar efforts of my fellow older athletes.

In a heartfelt conclusion of the episode, my conversation with Joe covers a lot of ground in which he relates his experience as an athlete throughout his childhood and as an adult. Joe’s wisdom shines through as he encourages listeners to embrace their journey, regardless of age. He shares his own struggles and triumphs in a way that’s relatable and inspiring. The episode wraps up with a reminder that it’s never too late to start living your best life. Whether it’s driving the speed limit or just taking a moment to breathe, the little things matter. Joe’s mantra of focusing on powerful memories over fleeting pleasures resonates deeply, leaving us with the thought that life is a series of moments, and it’s up to us to make them count. So, what’s stopping you from creating powerful memories today? Let’s get out there and start living!

Episode takeaways:

While we all try to figure out adulthood, let's stockpile some epic memories along the way!
Climbing a mountain is tough, but the view from the top is totally worth the sweat and tears.
Make your life a scrapbook of unforgettable moments because, let's face it, time flies way too fast!
The cycling world is getting a bit scarier, but there are ways to stay safe and stay visible on the road.
Remember to embrace the journey of life and not just chase the finish line; let's make every moment count!

References used for the MMB

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created FIRST: fatality and injury reporting system tool. Tracks fatalities and other metrics:

https://cdan.dot.gov/query

This article clarified with non-NHTSA data that the trend is not just an increase over time:

Why more fatalities now? From an NPR article (and many other sources), the issue is that US roads are designed for cars, and may overlook bicycle-specific safety measures. This article also suggests that the peak in cyclists deaths seen after 2020 may in fact be due to more people taking up cycling as a hobby during the pandemic, though there is not data to support that available.

An article in Harvard Public Health highlights the “safe systems” model, which is a policy framework that emphasizes the role of transportation infrastructure in making roadways safer: “providing a safer network of streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes will save more lives than, for instance, trying to get people to quit using their phones while they drive.”

Safe System model has been adopted by the US DoT in 2022 by Pete Buttegieg when he was acting Secretary of Transportation as a policy measure titled the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS). It is notable that NRSS doesn’t emphasize cyclist safety as opposed to general road-related safety.

In general, there’s not a ton of disagreement on what would help reduce cyclist-car interaction fatalities. The main points that people talk about:

Road infrastructure can be improved for better cyclist safety. Adding designated bike lines, barriers in between bike lanes and other traffic, cyclist-specific intersection signage, and reducing speed limits. There are definitely existing advocacy groups that try to get these enacted in local government!
Cars can be made safer (some types of cars, specifically those with flat, wall-like fronts, are more likely to result in a death given a collision. Source

Citation List:

Other Notes

An interesting fact: the age demographic most susceptible to car-cyclist interaction fatality is those between 10-14 years old. (Source: https://explore.dot.gov/views/DV_FARS_PC/Home?%3Aembed=y&%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y%3AshowAppBanner&%3Adisplay_count=n&%3AshowVizHome=n&%3Aorigin=viz_share_link&%3Atoolbar=no&%3A%3Aembed=yes)

Urban vs. rural effects: