Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians, Cyclists Ranked by Consumer Affairs

New report is calling on drivers to take greater responsibility for protecting the nation’s most vulnerable road users.

Despite decades of public safety campaigns and billions of dollars invested in pedestrian infrastructure, auto accidents still claim the lives of about 8,000 pedestrians and cyclists each year, and injure roughly 102,000 more.

In a new Consumer Affairs report published last month, a research team analyzed federal data on pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in the nation’s 100 largest metro areas, revealing the most dangerous cities for those traveling by foot or bike.

Consumer Affairs, which is primarily known for its product reviews, ratings and manufacturer profiles, also conducts independent research on public safety issues to inform and protect consumers.

Its recent analysis found that four of the five most dangerous cities for pedestrians are located in the southern United States, while the single most dangerous city for those on foot is in the West.

Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians 

According to Consumer Affairs, the five most dangerous cities for pedestrians are:

1. Albuquerque, New Mexico
2. Memphis, Tennessee
3. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
4. Miami, Florida
5. Lexington, Kentucky

The highest pedestrian death rate in 2023 occurred in Albuquerque, with 52 deaths in total, or 9.24 per 100,000 residents, more than four times the national average. In addition, nearly half of the city’s traffic fatalities involved pedestrians, compared to 18 percent nationally, likely due to a lack of pedestrian infrastructure.

Memphis ranked second, with 57 pedestrian deaths, or 9.0 per 100,000 residents. The city also topped a separate Consumer Affairs list for having the worst drivers in the country, a factor that may contribute to its high fatality rate.

Most Dangerous Cities for Cyclists

For cyclists, the most dangerous cities were:

1. Stockton, California
2. New Orleans, Louisiana
3. Tampa, Florida
4. Sacramento, California
5. Tucson, Arizona

In Stockton, cyclists made up 20% of all traffic deaths, far higher than the national average of 2.9%. New Orleans and Tampa each reported a rate of 12%.

The study found that Arizona poses some of the highest risks for people walking or biking, with three of its metro areas ranking among the ten worst for both pedestrians and cyclists. Phoenix, Tucson and Glendale were the most dangerous cities in that state for pedestrians, while Tucson, Mesa and Glendale topped the list for cyclist fatalities.

Safety experts urge drivers to take extra precautions, such as checking for cyclists before opening car doors, being aware of blind spots, staying alert for sudden movements, experiencing the streets as a pedestrian or cyclist, and supporting efforts to improve road safety.

Addressing Pedestrian Safety Risks

In the first half of 2024, pedestrian deaths rose nearly 50% compared to the same period a decade earlier. Prior research links this increase to the growing size of top-selling vehicles over the past 25 years, which have larger forward blind zones and taller, blunt-nose fronts.

A separate study also indicates that communities should prioritize pedestrian safety features such as sidewalks, crosswalks and adequate lighting, as these can help reduce pedestrian fatalities.

As a result of these findings, highway safety organizations have proposed a 30 by 30 plan in 2025, aiming to reduce traffic-related deaths by 30 percent by 2030 by implementing targeted safety measures, improving infrastructure and increasing public awareness.

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