Increase in cycling accidents – but how can you stay safe on our roads?

New government figures have shown that the number of casualties sustained to cyclists, particularly serious injuries, have greatly increased in comparison to the number of people actually cycling on our roads.

The shocking new statistics show that there has been an 8% increase in the number of cyclists who have been seriously injured or killed on our roads. When compared to average figures from 2005-2009, there has been an increase in all cycling casualties of 26%, and a huge 46% increase in fatal and serious injuries.

Although these increases may be down to a rise in people actually getting up and going out on their bikes, the comparative number of cyclists and cycling accidents still show a big increase in cycling dangers. Road safety needs to be improved urgently to ensure cyclists and other road users are safe on our roads.

Roger Geffen, Campaign and Policy Director for The National Cycling Charity has said, “MPs on all sides of the Commons have spent several years calling for action to encourage more, as well as safer, cycling. With an election approaching, we now need to hear from each party how they would invest in making cycling a safe and normal travel option for day-to-day journeys. We need safely designed roads and junctions, lower speed limits, properly enforced traffic laws, and action on lorries. All this would provide huge benefits for our health, our wealth and our wallets.”

There are also arguments that cyclists could also help their own safety and avoid dangers on our roads by taking some simple steps when out and about. These include taking control of lanes, so overtaking cars have no option but to leave a responsible amount of distance when overtaking cyclists, using pavements to navigate dangerous junctions, as well as utilising cycling lanes, when and where they are available and adequate for the functions they are designed for.

Taking control of the lane can be a really easy, practical step to take to improve cycling safety. By moving further out into the middle of the lane, cyclists are forcing drivers to overtake them correctly and in a safe, controlled manner. By taking a dominant position in the road, this forces drivers to take their time when overtaking, and only do so when it is safe and not try their luck around corners. By moving back over when it is safe, this gives motorists a clear indication that they are now safe to pass.

Riding on pavements goes against the Highway Code; however, police can use their discretion when using this rule. Cyclists can in fact use pavements if the stretch of road they are riding on is deemed unsafe and too dangerous. This could include busy junctions which despite ongoing design improvements are still one of the most dangerous areas to cyclists.

Cycling lanes in the UK can both help and hinder cyclists. Although they have been put in place to try and improve cycle safety and encourage riders to go out on our roads, they are not always the wisest choice. Many cycle lanes are too narrow for their intended purpose and more often than not they are poorly maintained.  They also have a tendency to suddenly end, leaving a cyclist with no cycle lane at busy junctions.

Mark Grist, Cycling Accident Solicitor at Freeclaim Solicitors and an avid cyclist himself commented, “Every road user has a duty of care and rules to follow on the road. Although these are just a few of the steps you can take to help improve your safety when out on our roads, the fact still remains that cyclists are vulnerable road users. Should the worse happen, we would always recommend that you speak to a specialist solicitor who has experience in more complex cycling accident claims.”

Freeclaim Solicitors are expert cycling accident lawyers. We have helped hundreds of clients claim compensation after an accident. Often, cycling accidents can cause serious, life changing injuries. We have specialist serious injury solicitors, with knowledge and expertise in brain and spinal injury claims, as well as serious orthopaedic injuries. Our expert solicitors can help you not only with your compensation claim, but also arrange specialist medical treatment and rehabilitation to improve your recovery and get you back out on your bike.

To find out more about how Freeclaim Solicitors could help you after a cycling accident, visit their website http://www.freeclaim.co.uk, or call their 24 hour helpline on 0800 612 7340.

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