Cycling safety in Georgia

Crash data

24 cyclist fatalities in 2023 .

In 2023, Georgia had 24 pedalcyclist (bicyclist) fatalities, out of 1,615 total traffic fatalities statewide, per NHTSA's 'Bicyclists and Other Cyclists: 2023 Data' (FARS 2023 ARF, Table 6). A statewide bicyclist-injury count is left null: Georgia's Governor's Office of Highway Safety publishes an annual non-motorist report, but we could not machine-verify a clean statewide bicyclist-injury figure from it (the PDF did not render as readable text for verification), so we do not assert one. Note a minor reporting discrepancy: the GOHS 2023 non-motorist report is commonly cited as showing 23 bicyclist fatalities versus NHTSA's 24 (both draw on FARS); we use the NHTSA figure of 24.

Official reports & data:

Cycling rules in Georgia

Helmets: Riders and passengers under age 16 must wear a properly fastened bicycle helmet (meeting ANSI or Snell standards); there is no statewide helmet requirement for adults. (source)
Passing distance: When passing a bicyclist, a driver must change lanes if possible, or otherwise leave at least three feet of clearance (O.C.G.A. 40-6-56). (source)
Sidewalk riding: Georgia has no statewide law generally allowing adults to ride on sidewalks; sidewalk riding is governed by local ordinance and many cities restrict or prohibit it, so check the local rule where you ride. (source)
E-bikes: Georgia uses the three-class e-bike system (O.C.G.A. 40-6-300): Class 1 is pedal-assist up to 20 mph, Class 2 is throttle-assist up to 20 mph, and Class 3 is pedal-assist up to 28 mph; motors are capped at 750 watts and e-bikes are regulated like bicycles (no license, registration, or insurance). (source)
Lights/reflectors at night: When ridden at night, a bicycle must have a white front light visible from 300 feet and a red rear light visible from 300 feet; a Department of Public Safety-approved red rear reflector may substitute for the rear light (O.C.G.A. 40-6-296(a)). (source)
Direction of travel / where to ride: Bicyclists ride with the flow of traffic and must keep as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when turning left, avoiding hazards, when the lane is too narrow to share safely, or when traveling at the same speed as traffic (O.C.G.A. 40-6-294). (source)

Cities and counties often add their own rules (for example, where you can ride on sidewalks or boardwalks). Check the local ordinance for the specific town you're visiting.

Resources

Bike-friendly destinations in Georgia

Ride these with the rules above in mind:

In an emergency in the U.S., call 911. Read our general bike safety guide →