ORLANDO, Fla. — According to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Florida ranked No. 1 in the country for fatal crashes involving cyclists from 2020 through 2024.

Central Florida cyclists and advocates are calling for more education and safer road designs to reverse that trend.

The Florida Department of Transportation reported more than 37,000 bicycle crashes in the state between 2020 and 2024. FDOT data also shows that one in seven bicyclists hit by a motorist during that period was killed or seriously injured.

For Kyle Markel, owner of Kyle’s Bike Shop in Orlando, the data is difficult to process, because cycling is both his work and his passion.

“It’s tough to hear, you know, especially being my business is riding bikes,” Markel said. “You know, if people are learning about this and they might be scared to go ride a bike.”

Markel said cyclists need to remain aware of drivers, especially because distractions can make roads more dangerous.

“Just be super aware that cars aren’t always looking out for you,” Markel said. “It’s like you have to look out for them. I feel like cellphones has been the biggest distraction.”

Markel said he sometimes rides his bike to work, but he chooses his route carefully.

“I’ll take the long way, even if it’s a few more miles,” he said. “If it’s safer.”

Emily Bush, executive director of Bike/Walk Central Florida, said the way many Florida communities were built has contributed to safety challenges for cyclists and pedestrians.

“Most of the major cities in the Sun Belt region were built post-World War II,” Bush said. “So, a lot of the development is really centered around the automobile and not around people walking and biking and rolling.”

Bike/Walk Central Florida works to promote safer streets and better conditions for people walking and biking. Bush said protected bike lanes and safer intersections can help prevent serious and deadly crashes.

“We really do have to invest in those local connections that keep people safe so that we don’t have each fatality or serious injury on our roadway continue to be a reminder that, you know, we’ve got to do better,” Bush said.