Knowledge centre | French road safety observatory

Bicycles and personal mobilicy devices

Active mobility, such as walking or cycling, has experienced significant growth in recent years. The development of active mobility is also supported by the emergence of personal mobility devices (PMDs), a term encompassing both motorized devices (electric scooters, segways, self-balancing scooters, etc.) and non-motorized devices (roller skates, traditional scooters, skateboards, etc.). These modes of transportation offer numerous benefits: they are health-promoting, more environmentally friendly, and more economical.

The downside of this rise in active mobility is the significant increase in accidents observed. In 2024, 45 users of motorized PMDs and 224 cyclists, including 32 on electric-assist bicycles, were killed. Cyclists account for 7 % of road traffic fatalities. It is also estimated that 40 500 cyclists were injured, including 2 500 seriously (MAIS3+). Cyclists represent 16 % of all seriously injured road users and 20 % of those who suffer lasting injuries one year after the accident.

The mortality risk for cycling, estimated at 6.2 deaths per billion minutes travelled, is four times higher than for passenger vehicles (1.4 deaths per billion minutes). Although a larger increase in mortality is observed among women, 9 out of 10 fatalities are men. Among cyclists killed, 87% were on leisure trips, when the type of trip is known.