Report ranks states on bike, walking safety

Washington – Vermont is the safest state for walking to work, with slightly less than 1 fatality per 10,000 daily pedestrians, according to a report from the Alliance for Biking & Walking. Florida was found to be the most dangerous, with 17 deaths per 10,000 daily pedestrians.

The report also ranked each state on bicycle safety for commuters. According to the calculations, South Dakota and Vermont have bicycle rates of 0 deaths per 10,000 daily bicyclists commuting to work, making them the safest states. Mississippi is the most dangerous, with 14.1 deaths per 10,000 daily bicyclists.

In addition, the report also found that only 0.4 percent of state highway safety funding is directed toward bicyclists and pedestrians, who make up 13.6 percent of traffic fatalities nationwide. The researchers recommended that states address these populations in their highway safety plans.