With cooler weather, you will see more bicyclists on Lexington County roads.

The SC Public Safety Department reported 22 bicyclists killed in the state this year compared to 17 last year – almost 30% more.

None have been injured or killed in the county this year but a cyclist, Tijhee Dijon Salley, 19, of Lexington, was killed in a hit-and-run accident on YMCA Road in the Red Bank area last year.

Officials encouraged bicyclists to wear reflective clothing at night and have bike lights and reflectors as required by law.

Federal safety officials said improved road design, cyclist visibility and helmets could curtail the growing number of cyclist deaths.

National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt said cyclists need to be more visible and wear helmets.

The number of bicyclists killed in 2018 climbed 6.3% to 857, even as traffic fatalities overall fell 2.4%.

The NTSB said:

• Protected bike lanes that separate riders from traffic can help save lives.

• Bright clothing and taillights can increase visibility.

• Wear helmets. Surveys have shown that less than half of bike riders wear a helmet.

Of those killed in bike-car crashes from 2010 to 2017, 63% wore no helmet.

Fatalities have been rising due to more bikes and cars on the roads, drunk and drugged driving and driver distractions such as texting.