hockey enthusiasts were shocked by the tragic deaths of Johnny gdo a star forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets and his brother Matthew the siblings were killed when a suspected drunk driver collided with them while they were cycling recent Federal statistics reveal that the number of bicyclists killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2022 reached its highest level in years this uptick is not an isolated event it highlights a broader issue the National Highway traffic safety administration Nitsa reported that in 2022 1,15 bicyclists lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes this figure surpasses previous years including 2021 976 2020 948 2019 859 and 2018 871 and marks the first year motorized bicycles were included in the count the Nitsa notes that bicyclist fatalities have been steadily increasing since 2010 in 2022 most 59% bicyclist fatalities occurred at non-intersection locations and involved light trucks like SUVs pickups and vans the average age of those killed was 49 urban areas experienced a disproportionate number of fatalities accounting for 83% of deaths up from 69% in 2011 Florida had the highest number of bicyclist deaths 222 followed by California 177 and Texas 91 while Nebraska and Rhode Island reported no cyclist fatalities Johnny and Matthew gdo were killed while biking on a rural road in oldman's Township New Jersey