Cycling Accidents
Popular, But Dangerous
Cycling is a very popular pastime and an increasingly popular way to get to work, and visit friends. And as the world gets greener, more people will be looking towards the bike as a viable form of transport.
But, the inescapable fact is that cycling is dangerous. In the U.K alone in 2007 some 16,000 cyclists were killed, or injured.
If you break down those figures further, a total of 136 were killed and 2,428 were seriously injured.
But, alarmingly, as around 90% of cyclists suffer injuries which are not reported, then the figures should look even worse. And, these figures refer to cyclists having accidents on the road; if you include accidents that happen in other places, it can reach an alarming total of over 150,000 cyclists injured.
What is particularly sad is that around a quarter of cycle accidents involved children, mainly around the age of 16.
The casualty figures also reveal where cycling accidents are most likely to happen. Most take place in urban areas, near a road junction, or on a roundabout. Most occur in daylight and the most dangerous times were 8am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm on weekdays. And men are four times as likely to be injured as women.
Cycling Accident Facts
The key facts are that:
- 90% take place in built-up, urban areas;
- 75% take place near a road junction;
- 80% happen in daylight;
- 80% casualties are male;
- 25% of cyclists killed, or injured, are children;
- 75% of cyclists killed sustain major head injuries.
Cycling Accident Causes
Common cycling accident causes include:
- riding too fast;
- child cyclist playing without due care;
- motorists hitting a cyclist;
- motorist not seeing cyclist;
- cyclist riding off a pavement and into path of a vehicle;
- cyclist overtaking.
Types of Injury
Injuries include:
- 40% sustain leg injuries;
- 5% have chest/abdomen injuries (often far more serious than leg injuries);
- 50% sustain head injuries (minor concussion to skull fractures).
What Can Cyclists Do
Cyclists can do a lot to avoid themselves getting an injury. Mainly, it’s be attentive at all times and think what the other users of the road, or pedestrians, are about to do. Think for them and staying one step ahead of those around you will give you a good chance of avoiding trouble.
Specifically:
- use cycle paths and special cycle routes where you can;
- give pedestrians the right of way at all times;
- do not hold up the traffic;
- wear proper clothing (reflective and fluorescent, allowing other road users to see you properly);
- always wear a proper helmet;
- fix mirrors to your bike if possible;
- tell other users what you are doing with sensible hand signals;
- take maximum care at junctions;
- avoid sudden manoeurves, or swerving around the road;
- don’t stay too close to moving vehicles;
- do not antagonise other road users with shouts, or gestures;
- stay out of tricky situations (get off and walk your bike around very dangerous junctions, or roundabouts).
And above all, enjoy what is a very pleasurable experience.