How common are Cycling Accidents?

1. How common are Cycling Accidents? With more and more people turning to cycling to keep fit, to get about town and to reduce their carbon footprint, the number of bikes on our roads is on the rise. It might be assumed that if the number of cyclists is on the rise, the number of bike rider casualties would increase accordingly. However, research indicates that this is not necessarily the case. Research carried out by Jacobsen in 2013, found that cyclists in areas where cycling was more popular, such as the Netherlands, California and Denmark, were at lower risk of being involved in an accident on the road than their counterparts in areas where cycling was less prevalent.

2. Although this is obviously positive news, the number of cyclists being injured in accidents on British roads is still alarmingly high, with figures for 2018 showing that there were 13,345 reported incidents resulting in minor injuries, 4,106 incidents resulting in serious injuries and 99 incidents which resulted in fatal injuries. Another issue that compounds the problem is the vulnerability of cyclists. As one of the designated vulnerable road user groups, cyclists are far more likely to sustain an injury in a road traffic accident than the average road user. Unlike a car, which offers protection to its driver, a bike offers virtually no protection to a cyclist, meaning the rider themselves will generally take the full force of the impact in a collision. Bicycle accident injuries can vary in severity, from minor grazes and broken bones to catastrophic head and brain injuries. NHS figures suggest that more than 40% of cyclists involved in an accident suffered from head injuries, ranging from serious skull fractures to minor cuts and concussion. Being involved in a bicycle accident can be a traumatic experience and can leave the victim with life-changing injuries. Not only are some people left unable to participate in an activity they love, sometimes, where the injuries are of a more serious nature, the victim may also be left needing care from a loved one or healthcare professional. Whilst we can’t prevent cycling accidents from happening, our Cycle Accident Solicitors can help enable you to claim the compensation you are due.