Bicycle crashes rise in Wilmington area as population growth strains infrastructure

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — A growing safety concern is emerging across the Cape Fear region as bicycle crashes increase alongside population growth.

Since 2023, more than 240 bicycle accidents have been reported in the Wilmington area, according to state crash data. In New Hanover County, five bicyclists have been killed over the past three years.

Flashing police lights filled Market Street in February after a deadly bicycle crash. Police said 65-year-old Wesley McCormick died after colliding with a pickup truck when he allegedly failed to yield. The crash caused significant damage to the vehicle.

In collaboration with the Coastal Journalism Hub, WWAY examined where and why these crashes are happening.

Data shows 67 bicycle crashes in 2023, followed by 95 in 2024 and 86 last year.

Eileen McConville, with the Terry Benjey Foundation, said busy roadways such as Market Street and College Road can be particularly dangerous for cyclists.

“Market Street and College Road and areas such as those, where I personally wouldn’t ride my bicycle on a bet,” McConville said.

The foundation focuses on bicycle safety education and advocacy across southeastern North Carolina. McConville, an avid cyclist, said the region has historically been designed for cars, though that is beginning to change.

“We’re finally starting to see sidewalks, multi-use paths,” she said.

Still, infrastructure improvements have not kept pace with the area’s rapid growth.

Kelly Kenoyer, a reporter with WHQR who has covered the issue, said the issue is personal too.

“I think it’s a confluence of factors in areas where there is less pedestrian infrastructure available and less cyclist infrastructure available,” Kenoyer said.

She added that navigating major roadways can be challenging.

“When you are trying to get across town sometimes it can kind of be like trying to ford a river when you are trying to cross some of these major thoroughfares,” Kenoyer said.

Local leaders are working to improve safety through initiatives such as Vision Zero and new bicycle and pedestrian projects, including the Greenville Loop Trail, Kerr Avenue Trail and improvements along Fifth Avenue.

However, sharing the road continues to present challenges.

“I’ve got to say there’s a lot of drivers out there who don’t treat cyclists with respect and maybe they are even looking at their phones and not looking at the road,” McConville said.

She said many crashes occur at night and urged cyclists to take precautions.

“That bicyclist should have a headlight, a tail light and preferably some sort of flashing light, even up on the back of their neck, higher on their body so a motorist can see them. Also bicycles should ride with the traffic not against,” McConville said.

As crashes continue, McConville said she hopes long-term planning efforts will improve safety.

“It’s going to take a while for us to see impacts from it. The city… I’m really proud of the city for adopting it. Because that shows that the city has agreed that they have to keep this as a priority,” she said.

More information about Vision Zero and local bicycle safety projects is available on WWAY’s website.