Cycle accidents.. How safe is it really to be on your bike?

Cycling has enjoyed a renaissance since the Millennium. It is cheap, and often quicker and more pleasant than public transport The Government continues to tell us about the environmental and health benefits of cycling but is enough really being done by them to make the roads safer for those who cycle on them.

The conclusion reached by a recent report “infrastructure and cycling safety” commissioned by the Department for Transport into road safety for cyclist (that cutting vehicle speeds particularly at junctions would be the single post affective measure to increase the safety of cyclists )will come as no surprise to many.  There is no doubt that significantly more needs to be done to ensure our roads are safe for cyclist and pedestrians. 

Slowing down traffic is identified as having the biggest likely impact on reducing cycle casualties in multi-vehicle collisions.  The suggested methods to improve safety include wider  use of the 20mph speed limit and physical traffic calming.  The report authors found little evidence for the safety benefits of cycle lanes and whilst segregated cycle lanes can offer greater safety to cyclist the point at which they connect with the Highway can be so dangerous that they negate the safety benefits of removing cyclists from the carriageway.  It identifies that most cyclist injuries in multi-vehicle collisions take place at junctions.  Reducing the speed of traffic through junctions appears to be an effective approach to reduce in cycle casualties. 

The report comes as a map identifying London cycle accident black spots is released.

16 cyclists were killed in 2011 in Central London including professional boxer Garry Mason. The Times talented young journalist Mary Bowers was critically injured cycling on her way to work in London in November 2011.The incident is reported to have involved a lorry turn a junction. Having read many of Miss Bowers’s excellent articles for The Times my thoughts and very best wishes for a speedy recovery are with her and her family. 

The “See Me Save Me” campaign brought by the family of a young woman killed cycling in London is still with the European Commission to report into the safety of cyclists around lorries to help prevent other cyclists being injured.  The campaign argues for the installation of cameras and sensors in lorries to eliminate blind spots. Research identifies that the greatest threat to cyclist’s in London remains with Freight vehicles being involved in more than 4 out of 10 incidents,with over half turning left at the time of the collision.

This is of course a National issue and not just London Centric. As a personal injury Solicitor representing injured cyclists for over 20 years I know only too well that these incidents destroy lives and families and anything that can be done to reduce them should be brought significantly higher up the priority chain. Let 2012 be the year not just for spending money on the Olympics but for significant steps to be taken to make our roads safer for cyclists.

Angela Fitzpatrick
Is a Solicitor and Head of Personal Injury at Claim Today Solicitors and has specialised in Claimant personal injuries claims for over 20 years.  She has a particular interest in claims involving seriously injured cyclists having represented members of the National Cycling Organisation (CTC) for many years.