1. Trucks entering a city centre should be required by law to fit censors, audible truck-turning alarms, extra mirrors and safety bars to stop cyclists being thrown under wheels.
2. The 500 most dangerous road junctions must be identified, redesigned or fitted with priority traffic lights for cyclists and trixi mirrors that allow lorry drivers to see cyclists on their near-side.
3. A national audit of cycling to find out how many people cycle in Britain and how cyclists are killed or injured should be held to underpin effective cycle safety.
4. 2% of the Highways Agency budget should be earmarked for next generation cycle routes, providing £100 million a year towards world-class cycling infrastructure. Each year, cities should be graded on the quality of cycling provision.
5. The training of cyclists and drivers must improve and cycle safety should become a core part of the driving test
6. 20mph should become the default speed limit in residential areas where there are no cycle lanes
7. Businesses should be invited to sponsor cycleways and cycling super-highways, mirroring the Barclays-backed bicycle hire scheme in London.
8. Every city should appoint a cycling commissioner to push home reforms.[1]

If such steps are taken on board by the government and local authorities then this would be fantastic, creating a far safer environment for urban cyclists around the country. Some may think that the campaign, although worthy, will not in practice make that much of a difference to cyclists in Britain, and many people are wondering whether it is even possible to change the infrastructure of our cities to make them more cycle friendly. Below, we list some case studies to demonstrate that the goals set out by The Times are achievable and that they would have a significantly positive impact on cyclists.

Bristol:

In June 2008, Bristol was awarded the status of Britain’s first cycling city and received £11m from the Department of Transport to transform cycling in the city. Thanks to this funding, over the past 3 years cycling in Bristol has been transformed, with successful measures including:

• 36 separate infrastructure projects completed, dedicated to improving the road layout for cyclists.
• 200km of signed bike routes.
• Over 4000 new cycle spaces created across the city, including at railway stations and schools.
• Speed limits of 20mph in most city centre areas to reduce the chances of a cycling accident.[2]

Bristol Council has also introduced educational schemes across 55 schools in addition to adult education schemes at Bristol University and in the wider city. High profile cycling events are staged throughout the year to encourage people to get on their bikes, alongside business engagement schemes which provide sponsorship and funding for bicycle safety and maintenance equipment in addition to training sessions on how to maintain and repair bikes.lso introduced educational schemes across 55 schools in addition to adult education schemes at Bristol University and in the wider city. High profile cycling events are staged throughout the year to encourage people to get on their bikes, alongside business engagement schemes which provide sponsorship and funding for bicycle safety and maintenance equipment in addition to training sessions on how to maintain and repair bikes.

Funding for the project officially ended in March 2011, however Bristol Council is already looking at what the next phase could be for sustainable transport development across the area. The council has produced a series of cycle route maps across Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and Somerset to encourage people to see cycling as a viable option and will be introducing more measures this year.

Not only have more and more people in Bristol taken up cycling, but the number of cycling accidents has also fallen dramatically. The new measures have reduced the number of serious cyclist injuries by 50%, with cycle accident numbers down even further in the new 20mph zones[3]. Hopefully as the years go on, Bristol will become an even safer and cycle-friendly city.

Other cities across the UK have long-established transport policies that favour cyclists, particularly Oxford, Cambridge and Exeter. Through a mixture of improving infrastructure, signage and training courses, cycle safety in these cities has dramatically increased over the last ten years. In Oxford alone, serious cycling accidents have been severely reduced, so much so that in 2009, there was one fatal cycling accident that year.

Britain still has a long way to go to catch up with the cycling cities of Europe, particularly Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Amsterdam local authorities have closed the majority of their streets to cars and discourage drivers by making parking fares expensive, ensuring that Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in the world for cyclists. On average, 7 cyclists are killed in Amsterdam every year[4]. Although one death is still one too many, if the British government follows the Amsterdam model and takes the steps recommended in The Times’ cycling campaign then we would be able to dramatically improve cycling in this country. As cities such as Bristol show, it is more than possible to achieve.

Choosing the right bike for the purpose plays an important part in the prevention of bike accidents. Riding a bike that is either to large or too small could impair your stability making an accident more likely.

Be aware

Cyclists have to keep their wits about them as the hazards they encounter are many and varied. These dangers include:

Other Road Users

Drivers are not always as observant as they should be, or are simply just inconsiderate, and most cyclists have tales to tell of vehicles driving out of side roads into their path, cutting them up or driving too close. Unfortunately, if cyclists want to avoid a bike accident in which they will undoubtedly come off worst, they have to be on their guard when riding in traffic and especially when approaching junctions, side roads or when using roundabouts.

Potholes and poorly maintained roads

Potholes pose a serious hazard to cyclists particularly in certain conditions when they may be difficult to see and therefore to avoid. Heavy rain or snow can fill a pothole making it invisible to cyclists and poor or missing street lighting can reduce visibility and increase the risk of having a bike accident.

Missing drain covers

As the price of scrap metal has soared, so too has the incidence of theft of manhole and drainage covers. If their theft goes unnoticed or they are not quickly replaced they present a danger to unwary cyclists particularly as they are usually sited in the part of the road most used by bikes.

Obstacles

Poor lighting at road works, barriers and signage left in the road as well as overhanging trees are hazards which cyclists have to contend with. Cycle paths, routes and roads should have sufficient headroom for bike riders and motorcyclists to pass under. Local councils and home and land owners should ensure that trees and shrubs are kept cut back.
Insurers Bureau (MIB) for compensation. The MIB, which was set up to compensate accident victims of untraced or uninsured drivers, made the award because the accident was caused by the negligence of an untraced driver and could have been preventable.

Diesel spilled on the road is extremely slippery and almost impossible to see especially when it is dark or the road is wet. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable and more likely to be seriously or fatally injured if they loose control on slippery road surfaces but drivers of cars and cyclists can also make a claim if they suffer injury after skidding on a spillage.

Maintaining your bike

Ensuring your bike is safe to ride is a sure way of helping to prevent a bike accident. Maintaining a bike properly after regularly checking tyres, gears and brakes is a simple and cheap way to a better and safer ride.

To ensure that your bike is ready to to be ridden follow these ten easy steps

1. Pump your tyres until they are too hard to squeeze. This will make cycling easier and faster, and will also reduce the risk of punctures.

2. Have a quick look at your tyres before every ride. Replace worn or damaged tyres to avoid getting punctures.

3. Check your brakes. They should stop the wheel fully when you have pulled the lever only part of the way to the handlebars,

4. Check that your brakes don’t rub against the rim of the wheel. This will slow you down and make cycling harder.

5. Oil your chain regularly. If it squeaks or is brown it needs some oil. A properly oiled chain will help your gears shift smoothly.

6. Your bike should be pretty much silent. Squeaks, rattles and scraping noises suggest that something is in need of attention.

7. Prolong your bike’s life by keeping it under cover or preferably indoors when not in use.

8. Make sure that your seat is at the right height. Having it too low will make cycling hard work and may make your knees sore.

9. Make sure that your gears change smoothly. To adjust them correctly it is a good idea to get help from a professional.

10. Turn your bike upside down and check your wheels spin smoothly and sit securely in the sockets. If the wheel wobbles or doesn’t look like a perfect circle then you will need expert advice.

There is currently a debate in the UK over whether or not to make helmets compulsory for cycling on the road. The argument on the side of pro-compulsion is that the protection provided by a safety helmet, no matter how small, is better than none for a cyclist involved in an accident.

A cycle helmet will in most accidents prevent a serious head injury, but every accident is different and the outcome can never be judged. However, many bicycle helmets are not designed to cope with a collision with another vehicle travelling at high speed, which unfortunately is the biggest cause of death for cyclists.

Like all safety products, helmets have to be tested and pass certain standards before they can go on sale, however, many people are unaware that these standards are minimal. Cycle helmets are only designed and tested to withstand an impact equivalent to an average weight rider travelling at a speed of 12mph and falling onto a stationary object from a height of one metre. This kind of impact is the equivalent of a cyclist falling from his bike and hitting his head on the kerb.

It is vital that whichever safety helmet you choose to wear when cycling fits correctly as a badly fitted safety helmet will provide no protection in the event of a bike accident.

How do bicycle helmets work?

Bicycle safety helmets are manufactured from expanded foam polystyrene which is structurally rigid and can be moulded into virtually any shape. It is a material which is easy to damage by crushing because it contains a high number of tiny air pockets, which absorb energy. However, these are the reasons why it is an ideal material for bicycle helmets.

The reason for this is that in the event of accident a cyclists head may come into contact with a hard moving surface i.e. a car or the ground. A cycle helmet is designed to act in the same way as a car’s crumple zone. Every moving object has energy known as kinetic and this energy needs to be absorbed in order for the object to stop moving. The helmet acts as a barrier between the ground and the head and absorbs most of the energy.

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.

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.

1. CLOTHING

You may choose to wear a cycle helmet, however, the wearing of cycle helmets is not compulsory in the UK. If you do, it is important to ensure the helmet conforms to industry standards, is the correct size and fitted securely.

As cycling is simply another method of travelling on the roads today, to insist that specialist clothing is required is bound to imply that it is more dangerous than other forms of transport and overall this is not particularly productive for encouraging  cycling in the UK. That being said, a little common sense when choosing your cycling attire can make you more visible on the roads. It goes without saying that your clothes should be comfortable fitting  and sensible, i.e. nothing that could risk becoming tangled in your wheels or chain, however, there are no rules against being fashionable on a bicycle – hence the famous Tweed Runs of London and New York!

If you are concerned about other road users not being able to see you whilst cycling on the road a simple measure you can take is to wear a brightly coloured cycling jacket during the day and reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) at night time or in the dark.

2. LIGHTS

When cycling in the dark, it is UK law for you to have white front and red rear lights lit at all times. Your bicycle must also be fitted with a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors. White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen in the dark. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lights use a steady front light.

3. CYCLE ROUTES AND OTHER FACILITIES

It is advisable for cyclists to make use of all specialist facilities for cycling available if it is safe to do so. Many cyclists may feel more secure in designated facilities, hoping that other road users will respect their “space”, however, use of these facilities is not compulsory and it is stated in the Highway Code that cyclists are entitled to use the road as any other vehicle and so should be allowed to do so by other road users – this will obviously depend on your experience, skills and confidence.

4. CYCLE TRACKS

These facilities are usually located away from roads, such as greenways, but may occasionally be found alongside footpaths or pavements. Often, cyclists and pedestrians may be segregated, but there are occasions when they must effectively share the space. When cycling on segregated cycle tracks, you must keep to the side of the track that is designated for cyclists, as this will ensure that pedestrians using the footpath side of the track are able to travel without fear of a collision with a cyclist. Care must be taken when passing a pedestrian, especially if you are travelling at speed or passing children and elderly people; giving them space as you pass will reduce the chances of startling them  - being passed by a larger, faster moving vehicle is certainly something a cyclist can empathise with.

5. CYCLE LANES

Cycle lanes are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway.  It is advisable when using this facility to keep within the lines of the lane whilst practical, as road users passing you will expect you to do this. When leaving a cycle lane to enter the road for any reason, you must check that it is safe for you to pull out before doing so, signalling your intention clearly to other roads users that are present. Again the use of cycle lanes is not compulsory and if it is not safe to do so, such as occasions when there are vehicles blocking the lane, or the road surface is dangerous, you are completely right to make use of the road as any other vehicle would.

James was riding his bike in Sidcup, just outside London, when he injured himself by riding over a hidden pothole in the road. He did substantial damage to his bicycle and also propelled himself headfirst over the handlebars, dislocating his shoulder and tearing the surrounding ligaments. Leading an active lifestyle as a gym instructor, this injury put James out of work for a month. James also had to pay nearly £400 to repair his bike. Although James’ injury and bike damage was caused by a pothole in the road – something which made the road unsafe to cycle on, James put the whole incident down to bad luck. The £400 he spent on repairing his bike meant that he was unable to go on holiday with his friends. He also lost wages he normally earned as a personal trainer at his gym outside of working hours. In total, the pothole James had ridden into cost him £795.

Robert, from Barnes, had been riding to work as a legal assistant when he rode into a pothole. Robert’s injuries were, luckily, not very serious and mainly superficial. He sustained a cut to the left of his forehead and various bruising and cuts elsewhere. However, his bike was completely ruined. Robert had managed to jump off the bike before it went into post box. The handlebars were completely twisted the chain was twisted and broken and the front wheel had been extensively damaged. Robert was furious, as he had recently bought this new bike, being a keen cyclist. The bike had cost him £3,500 and he estimated that he would have to pay at least £1000 for the damage caused by the pothole.

Robert continued to work and got on with his working day. However, on returning home, he decided to do some internet research about whether or not he could make a pothole claim. He considered that the situation was rather similar to any type of accident claim – he had suffered a substantial cost at no fault of his own. He began to read about ‘sufficient up keep of public footpaths and roads’ and thought that a pothole as big and as dangerous as the one he had cycled into should have been repaired. Robert thought that his local council should be held responsible for this negligence and pay for the damages to his bicycle.

With this in mind, Robert got in touch with some solicitors who were very helpful. They agreed that the pothole was a danger to the residents and visitors of the area and that the council should have done something about it sooner. Robert decided to take a photograph of the pothole to strengthen his case for making a pothole claim. Robert went on to win the full amount of his compensation. This meant that he was able to repair his bike at no cost to himself.

Together, these two case studies illustrate the importance of making a pothole claim and how doing so can help cyclists to get back on track.

A 73 year old man had to undergo skin grafts after a man leaned out of a car window and pushed him off his bike. His helmet prevented a head injury but he suffered deep cuts and grazes on his arms and legs. After the accident he said, “He was laughing when he did it. What person in their right mind would do something like that? You get incidents with cyclists on the road all the time but nothing like this”. He travelled 200 miles a week before the accident and is keen to get back on the road, despite the dangers. Police are investigating the incident but the culprit has not yet been caught.

A similar incident occurred in Bromley when a 59 year old cyclist was pushed off his bike by a man leaning out of a car. As he fell, he hit his head and blacked out. He also suffered neck and back injuries. The road where the incident took place is well known for speeding motorists and police are looking for witnesses as part of their continuing investigation.

Unfortunately, incidents of abuse against cyclists are becoming more and more common. Many cyclists will tell you about incidents where people have shouted verbal abuse at them or where cars have swerved in order to scare them, often barely missing them.

Abuse from other road users is not the only danger that cyclists face. It is an unfortunate fact that 5% of road deaths each year are cyclists but only 0.8% of miles travelled by vehicles are by bicycle. Cyclists are 12 times more likely to be killed or injured on the road than people in cars (figures from BRAKE).

These figures indicate the dangers of cycling. These dangers can come in many forms: from vehicles, from poor road surface or obstacles in the road, from mechanical faults or from pedestrians or animals.  So how can cyclists protect themselves?

In 57% of accidents involving a car and a cyclist, the driver of the car failed to look properly or did not see the cyclist. Therefore, it is a good idea for cyclists to wear high visibility clothing and put accessories on their bike, such as lights and reflectors.

The issue of cycle helmets is somewhat controversial. Some campaigners say that cycle helmets do not offer enough protection in a vehicle collision and instead give cyclists a false sense of security. They call for a greater focus on driver awareness in order to prevent accidents in the first place.

However a TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) study, entitled ‘The potential for cycle helmets to prevent injury – A review of the evidence’ did find that cycle helmets would be effective in a range of different accident scenarios, particularly when a cyclist is either knocked or falls from their bike.

A US study also found that if every US cyclist had been wearing a helmet whilst cycling in 1997, more than 100,000 cycling head injuries could have been prevented. One example is of a 12 year old boy who was cycling near his home when he was hit by a car. He was flung across the bonnet and hit the road. He was taken to hospital where he was treated for a leg injury, bruising and shock. His cycle helmet was smashed into three pieces. Doctors said that the helmet had saved his life; without it, that impact would have been on his skull.

Cycle accidents can have devastating consequences. Gary Mason, a former British boxing champion was killed earlier this year as he was cycling in London. Mason, aged 48, was doing his regular early morning cycle training when he was hit by a van and suffered multiple injuries. The van driver was arrested for causing death by careless driving.

Every year thousands of cycle claims are made for many different reasons. If you have been injured in a cycle accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Then you may wish to speak to a solicitor about your cycle claim options. You may be able to claim compensation if the accident wasn’t your fault. If you have been involved in an accident with a vehicle, you may be able to claim compensation from the driver’s insurer. This is the case even if the vehicle involved was a bus or HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle); a compensation claim would be made against the driver’s employer’s insurance.

If you have been involved in a cycle accident as a result of poor road maintenance, you may also be able to claim compensation. Local councils have a responsibility to ensure roads are maintained so that vehicles of all kinds can travel safely. If they have failed in this responsibility, a claim for compensation can be made.

Cycle claims can also be made if your cycle accident was as a result of a manufacturing fault or a fault after repairs.

The expert solicitors at Macks Solicitors are on hand now to speak to you about making a claim. Cycle claims are our speciality and we have many years of experience.

Around 17,000 cyclists are killed or injured on the UK’s roads every year, including around 2,500 who are killed or seriously injured. These figures are based on accidents reported to the police – many accidents are not reported so the actual number of injuries is likely to be much higher.

Around 75% of fatal or serious cycle accidents occur in urban areas and almost two thirds are as a result of collisions at or near a road junction. T junctions and roundabouts are the most dangerous for cyclists. Cyclists are also more likely to suffer serious or fatal injuries on higher speed roads.

Most collisions of a bicycle with a vehicle involve a car or taxi. HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicles) are also dangerous. Around 20% of cycling fatalities in London involve a HGV. In around 57% of serious collisions involving a vehicle, the accident was attributed to the car driver failing to look properly.

Other causes for accidents can include poor road surface, such as potholes; obstacles in the path or road, such as a bollard; a manufacturing fault; poor maintenance or a collision with a pedestrian or animal, such as a dog.

If you have been injured in a cycle accident, you may be able to make a claim for cycle accident compensation. Macks Solicitors have many years of experience and are experts in cycle accident compensation. Our team is on hand to give clear and simple legal advice.

If you were involved in a collision with a vehicle that wasn’t your fault, you can make a claim against the motorist’s insurance. The amount of compensation awarded depends on the extent of your injuries and the level of negligence. It is important to seek medical advice early on. This will speed your recovery and will also provide medical evidence that will be important in establishing your case.

If you have been involved in an accident with a bus or a HGV, a claim can be made against the company the driver was working for or their insurers.

If your accident was as a result of poor road surface or an obstacle, it is important to get evidence. Photographs are a useful way of recording hazards in the road. You may also want to measure the hazard, e.g. the depth of the pothole and speak to other road users, particularly anyone who witnessed your accident. This is true of any cycle accident – witnesses will be able to relate events from a different perspective and may be able to provide valuable evidence about who was to blame.

Whilst you are collecting evidence, speak to a solicitor. An experienced solicitor will be able to advise you about how much compensation you could expect to receive and will be able to manage your case to achieve the maximum compensation payment.

A cycle accident can be scary and can result in serious injuries. Claiming cycle accident compensation is a way to compensate for the pain of an injury and any costs incurred as a result, for example, repairs to your bicycle.

Hull is a fantastic city in which to cycle and has the fifth highest level of bike use in the UK. It’s relatively flat and has a long tradition of cycling.  This has naturally promoted cycling in the city but, Hull City Council has strove to improve cycle routes and on-road cycle lanes to make cycling in Hull a safe and pleasant activity. As a result, Hull now has over sixty six miles of cycle route; thirty miles of which is off-road.

Hull is connected to three Sustrans routes; Route 1 leads to Scarborough, Route 66 connects the city with York and Route 65 is a lovely ride from Selby, passing through Hull, leading out to Hornsea. Route 65 follows a mainly traffic free route which forms part of the Trans Pennine Trail. The Trans Pennine Trail is a long distance route stretching the breadth of Northern England, linking Southport to Hornsea. Another challenging route accessible from Hull is the North Sea Cycle Route – the world’s longest signed route, which loops the North Sea, via eight countries.

The Hull Cycle Map shows safe cycle routes throughout the city, including 20mph zones and traffic calmed areas – which cover approximately thirty percent of Hull’s residential road network. Cyclists can use the map to locate cycle lanes, recommended routes and advanced stop lines at junctions. Commuters from estates such as Sutton Park, The Avenues and Thornton can take advantage of the city’s cycling provisions.

In late 2009, the Daily Mail reported that figures from the Department for Transport suggested cycle accidents had increased by twenty percent since the recession began. Motoring experts agreed that the combination of cycling’s increased popularity and the public’s desire to cut costs on travel had contributed to the rise in cycle accidents. Indeed, Andrew Howard, AA’s head of road safety, commented; “the road safety world needs to make sure that it identifies and acts to remedy these emerging patterns”.

If you have been injured as the result of a cycle accident in Hull or East Yorkshire, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. If your bike has been damaged, a compensation payment could pay for the cost of repairs. We are available to speak to you about making a cycle accident claim. Our fully qualified team has many years of experience, and there is no obligation. Call us free today to begin your claim.

Colchester was named a Cycling Town in 2008 and subsequently received a £2.1 million grant from Cycling England, matched by Essex County Council.  This funding has been used to promote cycling, through the development of existing cycling infrastructure and the creation of new routes. It has provided better cycle route signs, improved cyclist crossings, more cycle facilities and better access to Colchester’s centre and its academic institutions, such as the University of Essex’s campus. The project has been handled as a partnership, between Essex County Council, Colchester Borough Council and local cycling organisations. The CycleColchester website was set up after receiving the accolade, and provides access to useful tools like TownMaps, WeatherCheck and CycleStreets, which assist cyclists in planning their routes safely, before they set off. Further to these resources, CycleColchester travel advisors have visited households in the town, promoting cycling whilst offering valuable advice, such as route planning and bike safety.

Dangers that cyclists must be aware of, when cycling on the roads of Colchester, include those presented by other vehicles. Impatient or selfish drivers can overtake cyclists too close, or even cut in to cycle lanes, in order to undertake vehicles waiting to turn right. Often, vehicles will move out of driveways without looking, straight in to a cycle lane, causing serious injury to a cyclist using the lane. If you have been involved in a cycle accident, contact us for expert legal advice on your entitlement to compensation. You may be able to claim for repairs to your bike, and other expenses as a result of your accident. Our fully qualified team of cycle claims lawyers are understanding and have many years experience, so call today for friendly, no-obligation advice.