Are Self-Driving Cars Bad for Pedestrians and Cyclists?

By Yosi Yahoudai Founder and Managing Partner

February 26, 2026

Car Accidents

Key Takeaways 

• Self-driving cars are designed to reduce human error, which causes the majority of traffic crashes. 
• Early data suggests autonomous vehicles may reduce certain types of high-speed collisions. 
• However, pedestrian and cyclist interactions remain one of the most difficult challenges for autonomous systems. 
• Technology limitations, edge cases, and software decision-making create new liability questions when crashes occur. 
• Whether you believe self-driving cars are safer or riskier, accidents still happen. And when they do, the legal issues are rarely simple. 

If you spend any time around our headquarters in Century City, California, you’ve seen them. Self-driving cars gliding past office towers, stopping at lights, pulling up to curbs. They share the same streets as pedestrians heading to work, cyclists navigating traffic, and families crossing busy intersections. 

So, are self-driving cars bad for pedestrians and cyclists? Let’s explore both sides of the argument. 

Why Do Supporters Say Self-Driving Cars Are Safer? 

Advocates of autonomous vehicles point to one central fact: human error causes most crashes. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 94% of serious crashes are linked to human error such as distraction, speeding, or impairment (NHTSA). 

Self-driving systems do not: 

• Text while driving 
• Drive drunk 
• Fall asleep 
• Get distracted 

Autonomous vehicles use a combination of: 

• Cameras 
• Radar 
• Lidar sensors 
• High-definition mapping 
• Real-time machine learning software 

They are programmed to detect objects in all directions simultaneously and react within milliseconds. In theory, this reduces the risk of: 

• Rear-end collisions 
• Red light violations 
• Speeding-related crashes 
• Driver fatigue incidents 

Some early safety data from autonomous vehicle operators suggests lower crash rates per mile compared to human-driven vehicles in certain environments. 

For supporters, the argument is simple: if most crashes are caused by humans, removing the human should reduce harm. 

Why Are Pedestrians and Cyclists a Unique Challenge? 

Even if autonomous vehicles eliminate certain risks, they introduce new ones. 

Pedestrians and cyclists are unpredictable. They: 

• Step into traffic unexpectedly 
• Move between parked cars 
• Change direction suddenly 
• Travel in bike lanes, crosswalks, or shared spaces 

Unlike vehicles, they do not follow rigid traffic patterns. 

Autonomous systems rely on object detection and prediction modeling. They must: 

1. Recognize humans. 
2. Predict what that human will do next. 
3. Decide how to respond. 

Those predictions are not always perfect. 

Edge cases, such as: 

• A cyclist swerving around debris 
• A pedestrian jaywalking at night 
• Construction zones altering normal traffic flow 

can create situations that are difficult for even advanced systems to interpret. 

When these systems miscalculate, the result can be a serious injury. 

Do Self-Driving Cars Reduce or Increase Pedestrian Risk? 

Some reports indicate autonomous vehicles may have lower rates of certain crash types, but higher rates of low-speed incidents involving vulnerable road users. The challenge is that the total number of self-driving vehicles on the road is still small compared to traditional vehicles, so long-term trends are still developing. 

Critics argue that: 

• Machine learning models are only as good as the data they are trained on. 
• Real-world unpredictability cannot be fully programmed. 
• Companies may deploy technology before it is fully mature. 

Supporters counter that: 

• Autonomous systems improve continuously through data collection. 
• Unlike humans, they do not repeat mistakes due to emotion or fatigue. 
• Over time, performance will surpass human driving standards. 

Both arguments carry weight. 

Who Is Liable When a Self-Driving Car Hits a Pedestrian or Cyclist? 

This is where the conversation shifts from philosophy to law. 

In a traditional crash, liability often centers on the driver. In a self-driving car accident, responsibility may involve: 

• The vehicle manufacturer 
• The autonomous software developer 
• A fleet operator 
• A remote safety monitor 
• A human driver (if manual control was engaged) 

For pedestrians and cyclists, complexity increases. Questions may include: 

• Was the vehicle operating in full autonomous mode? 
• Did the system properly detect and classify the pedestrian? 
• Was there a software update pending? 
• Were roadway markings clear? 
• Did the pedestrian contribute to the crash? 

These cases often require deep technical investigation into: 

• Sensor data 
• Event data recorders 
• Software logs 
• Mapping accuracy 

They are not simple fender-benders. 

Are Self-Driving Cars “Bad” for Pedestrians? 

That depends on your perspective. 

If you believe human error is the greatest threat on the road, autonomous vehicles may represent progress. 

If you believe technology still struggles with real-world unpredictability, especially in dense urban environments, you may view the rollout as premature. 

Pedestrians and cyclists remain among the most vulnerable road users. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrian fatalities remain at historically high levels nationwide. Any technology interacting with them must meet a very high safety standard. 

Do You Need a Self-Driving Car Accident Attorney? 

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter which side of the debate you fall on. 

You may believe self-driving cars are the future of safety. You may believe they are introducing new risks. 

Accidents are still bound to happen. 

When they do, the legal questions are complex. These cases are not just about driver error. They involve software design, corporate responsibility, data transparency, and layered insurance coverage. 

If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash involving an autonomous vehicle, you need a legal team that understands the technology and the liability structure behind it. 

At J&Y Law, we handle serious injury cases involving emerging transportation systems, including self-driving vehicle claims. If you suffered an accident with a Waymo or similar cars, a local California self-driving car accident lawyer from our firm can help you pursue compensation. We are here to help you understand your options and protect your rights.