Cycling safety in Missouri

Crash data

25 cyclist fatalities in 2025 .

MoDOT's official vulnerable-roadway-user tracking reports 25 bicyclists killed on Missouri roadways in 2025, a roughly 38% increase over 2024 (18 deaths). This is part of a sharp upward trend - MoDOT's Long-Range Transportation Plan cites a large increase in cyclist fatalities since 2020, and there were about 8 bicyclist deaths in 2023. Because annual bicyclist counts are small, they swing year to year; the 2025 figure is MoDOT's reported state count and may be revised as NHTSA FARS final data (which lags ~1-2 years) is published. No clean, current statewide cyclist INJURY total was confirmed from an official Missouri source, so cyclistInjuries is set to null; for national context NHTSA reported roughly 1,166 pedalcyclists killed in the US in 2023, but that is not Missouri-specific.

Official reports & data:

Cycling rules in Missouri

Helmets: Missouri has NO statewide bicycle helmet law for riders of any age. The state Driver Guide recommends a safety-certified helmet but does not require one. Some local jurisdictions may have their own helmet ordinances, so check local rules. (source)
Passing distance: Missouri law (RSMo 304.678) requires a driver overtaking a bicycle in the same direction to leave a 'safe distance' and maintain it until safely past. The statute does NOT specify a set number of feet - there is no mandated 3-foot minimum - though 3 feet is widely recommended as the practical standard. (source)
Sidewalk riding: Sidewalk riding is mostly governed by local ordinance, so rules vary by city. Under the state model traffic code (RSMo 300.347), riding a bicycle on a sidewalk within a business district is prohibited; where sidewalk riding is allowed, cyclists must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing. Check your city's rules. (source)
E-bikes: Missouri has adopted the standard 3-class e-bike system (defined in RSMo 301.010): Class 1 pedal-assist to 20 mph, Class 2 throttle to 20 mph, Class 3 pedal-assist to 28 mph, each with a motor under 750 watts. E-bikes meeting the definition are generally treated like bicycles (no driver's license or registration); no person under 16 may operate a Class 3 e-bike (though under-16 riders may be passengers). (source)
Lights/reflectors at night: From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise (RSMo 307.185), a bicycle must have a front white lamp visible at least 500 feet and a rear red reflector (or red lamp) visible at least 600 feet, plus reflective material or lamps visible from the sides. (source)
Direction of travel / where to ride: Ride WITH the flow of traffic (never against it). Under RSMo 307.190, a cyclist moving slower than surrounding traffic must ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe, with exceptions for preparing to turn left, avoiding hazards, or when the lane is too narrow to share. (source)
Red lights that won't detect a bike: Missouri has a 'dead red' provision (RSMo 304.285): if a cyclist stops at a red traffic signal that fails to detect the bicycle and change, the rider may proceed with caution through the intersection after yielding to any approaching traffic, once it is safe to do so. (source)
Impaired / distracted riding (DUI, phone): Bicyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers under Missouri's rules of the road. However, Missouri's DWI statute is written around operating a MOTOR vehicle, so a standard human-powered bicycle is generally not covered by DWI - this is a nuance, and riding impaired is still dangerous and can draw other charges. Missouri's hands-free phone law (the Siddens Bening Hands Free Law, 2023) is aimed at motor-vehicle operators; its application to cyclists is unsettled. Verify current specifics before relying on either point. (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 Missouri

Ride these with the rules above in mind:

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