Over recent years cycling has become a more popular mode of transportation in this country. More than 3.5 million bicycles were sold in the UK in 2007, a significant increase on the 2.8 million sold in the year 2000. As a result the cycle lane network in the UK is ever expanding to meet the demand and now covers more than 12,000 miles. With the average cost of purchasing a bike substantially lower than that of a car, and the average cost of maintaining it is just £75, it is easy to understand why cycling has become so popular during the current economic climate. But how likely are you to have a bike accident?
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), 16,000 cyclists are killed or injured in reported bike accidents on the road in the UK every year. In 2007 13,361 cyclists were slightly injured in accidents, 2,428 were seriously injured and 136 died as a result of a bike accident.
These statistics show only those bike accidents that were reported. It is estimated that many other less serious accidents, especially those involving children are not reported. RoSPA estimates that between 60 per cent of all bike accidents go unreported, especially when it is a bicycle-only accident with no third-party involvement.
According to the statistics:
About one quarter of the cyclists killed or injured in a bike accident are children. The number of bike accidents in each year group increases as children grow older and usually peak at around 16 years. This reflects increased cycling as children attend secondary school and may also indicate riskier behaviour in this age group.
About 80 per cent of bike accident casualties are male. Men are more likely to suffer an injury while cycling which reflects the fact that more men cycle than women.
75 per cent of all bike accidents on roads occur at, or near a road junction. These are the most hazardous areas of the roads for cyclists. T-junctions are the most common place for a bike accident with another vehicle. Roundabouts are also very dangerous junctions for cyclists.
90 per cent of bike accidents occur in urban areas. This is because most cycling takes place on busy roads in towns and cities.
80 per cent of bike accidents occur during daylight. The most dangerous time for a cyclist to be on the road is during rush hour, between the hours of 8.00 to 9.00 am and 3.00 to 6.00 pm on weekdays. Unfortunately this is the time of day when most commuter cycling takes place. More bike accidents occur during the spring and summer months as the fair weather encourages commuters and holiday cyclists take to the roads. However, the casualty rate in terms of miles travelled is higher in the autumn and winter months, probably due to bad weather and poor visibility in these months.
Approximately 75 per cent of fatalities in bike accidents are due to major head injuries. This is why a safety helmet is always advised, although it is not yet compulsory in the UK.
While cycling on roads can be dangerous if the necessary safety guidelines and the law are not followed, there are more casualties and fatalities on the roads caused by other modes of transportation. The table below shows the types of transport along with the number of fatalities and serious injuries caused by accidents on the roads in the UK in 2006.
| Road User Type | Number Killed | Number Seriously Injured |
| Pedestrians | 675 | 6404 |
| Pedal Cyclists | 146 | 2296 |
| Motorcyclists and Passengers | 559 | 5885 |
| Car Drivers and Passengers | 1612 | 12642 |
| Bus/Coach Drivers and Passengers | 19 | 407 |
| LGV Drivers and Passengers | 52 | 511 |
| HGV Drivers and Passengers | 39 | 344 |
Cyclists who have been injured in a bike accident while riding on the road can make a claim for bike accident compensation against the person who was at fault. Even if they were partly at fault it may be possible to make a claim, although the amount of the award may be reduced accordingly. The specialist lawyers at Macks Solicitors are happy to give expert legal advice on claiming bike accident compensation to cyclists who have been injured on the road.
Speaking to one of Macks expert personal injury lawyers couldn’t be easier. Simply call Freephone 0800 980 9385 or complete the Online Claim Form on the website. Either way you will be put in touch with a solicitor who will be happy to discuss your bike accident with you and give you advice in clear and simple terms and without any obligation.
