The definitive guide to safer cycling series part 1

The definitive guide to safer cycling is a four part series that offers crucial information on important cycling safety statistics as well as helpful tips and advice on how to stay safe whilst cycling at night, during the winter and in any other less-than-ideal situation written by Michael Morris.

Part 1 tackles bike safety in the UK exploring cycling casualties and fatalities, types of cycling accidents and common injuries.

Cycling casualties and fatalities

• Serious accidents occur mostly in urban areas
  
• 50% of fatalities are on rural roads where the speed limit is higher
  
• Road junctions are responsible for 75% of incidents
  
• Male cyclists make up 80% of collisions
  
• Head injuries account for up to 75% of major injuries
  

Types of Cycling Accidents

• Some contributory reasons for serious injuries in road collisions include:
  
• Cycling entering the road from the pavement (20%)
  
• A poor turn or manoeuvre (17%)
  
• Careless and reckless cycling (17%)
  

Common Cycling Injuries

• Drivers emerging from a side road into the path of a cyclist
  
• Drivers turning across the natural path of the cyclist
  
• Cyclists riding into the path of a vehicle, particularly when entering the road from a path
  
• Cyclists turning right on either a major or minor road
  
• Children playing on their bikes or riding carelessly
  

Read the full Introduction to Bike Safety in the UK.

Useful links

• Find a shop
  
• Local Bike Shop Day
  
• Get Cycling
  

If you have any other queries please contact us.

The Cycling Experts is brought to you by the Association of Cycle Traders.