Injuries and deaths to cyclists increasing

First, the bad news. As indicated n the title to this post, new figures from the Department for Transport reveal that the number of cyclist fatalities in accidents is up 7% and serious injuries are up 12%. Strictly speaking there is no good news to come out of this, but the above figures, tragic though they are, may actually represent a proportionate reduction on overall deaths or serious injuries to cyclists when put into the context that the number of cyclists is rising quite rapidly due to :-

• A renaissance in the popularity of cycling generally
• People saving money due to the economic conditions by cycling rather than using cars or public transport
• Boris Johnson (!)

Statistics show that a rise in accidents involving cyclists is a feature of recessionary economic conditions, based on past surveys conducted in the 1930’s and 1980’s.

In terms of the causes of serious injuries or fatalities involving cyclists, according to the Department for Transport, these are as follows :-

• failing to look properly
•  failure to judge speed or other road user’s intentions
•  attempting to access a road from a pavement
• careless or reckless riding