Boom time for UK cyclists

Research has revealed that an estimated 208 million bicycle journeys were made last year and the total number of cyclists in the UK is now as high as 13 million.

The report from the London School of Economics and Political Science also shows an increase of 1.3 million in the amount of cyclists currently out and about on the roads as more people use it as an eco-friendly and cost-effective form of transport, as well to take advantage of the obvious health benefits. It has been suggested that a further 20-per-cent rise by 2015 would in turn save the government £207 million and £71 million in pollution and congestion.

While these statistics will be well received by environmentalists keen to dramatically lower carbon emissions, it’s offset by the fact that an additional study by the Department for Transport has found a 26-per-cent rise in the number of accidents involving cyclists in the UK. The financial impact of all road accidents in 2009 alone also cost the British economy £15.82billion in things like accident claims, Medical negligence claims and personal injury claims.

Just over 3,700 cyclists were either injured or killed on Britain’s roads in the first quarter of 2011 and that was up from 2,961 during the same timeframe from the previous year, according to the findings published by Department for Transport.

Four of the five most common contributory factors were said to be as a result of an error from the driver or rider and additional accident causes include poor road surfaces, obstacles in the path or road, a collision with an animal or pedestrian or a manufacturing fault. The most common injuries sustained by cyclists are arm and leg injuries, while the severity of head injuries can range from concussion to fatal brain damage.

The surge in accidents involving cyclists may deter some people from commuting to work on bike or roaming around the countryside on two wheels instead of four whenever possible, but others hope it’ll serve to reinforce the need for both drivers and riders to pay attention at all times and act responsibly.

Any concerned cyclists would be well advised to read up on the Highway Code and familiarise themselves again with the rules of the road to reduce the risk of being involved in a road accident and wear a high-visibility clothing, invest in a high-quality helmet, maintain the bike properly and avoid the temptation to take any unnecessary risks if it compromises personal safety.