An extract from Cycling UK "How safe is cycling?Risk to people who cycleCycling is much safer than many people think it is, and research consistently shows that the health benefits are substantial and significantly outweigh the risks. To put the risks in perspective, over a distance equivalent to cycling 1,000 times round the globe at its widest point:one cyclist is killedabout 20-30 are seriously injuredfewer than 100 are slightly injured.In fact, the casualty rate for cyclists - number hurt per billion miles cycled on public roads - has been trending downwards for the past decade or so (note that the pandemic suppressed motor travel in 2020):*Figures adjusted by the DfT to take account of changes in the way the police report on road injuries.Note: the figure above are based on traffic estimates and incidents on public roads in GB that are reported to the police and included in the Department for Transport’s casualty statistics – please see Q16 of our statistics page for more.On top of this, while cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users (see below), there’s good evidence to suggest that the safety in numbers effect works for them. One reason for this may be that drivers encounter more cyclists, grow better accustomed to interacting with them safely and are more likely to have personal experience of cycling. Of course, every fatality or injury on the roads is one too many. Although Great Britain has a good overall record on road safety in terms of road user (all) deaths per billion vehicle-km compared with other countries in Europe, cyclists are still over-represented in casualty statistics.From 2015-19 (pre-pandemic ‘normal’ years), cycling made up only about 1% of traffic and 2% of trips, but cyclists accounted for:6% of road fatalities14% of KSI (killed or seriously injured)11% of all casualties.(Again, these figures are based on road incidents reported to the police).Risk to other road usersImportantly, people who cycle cause negligible harm to other road users:Unlike driving, most cycling (85%) happens on minor roads and streets where people are most likely to be walking. Yet road casualty statistics show that cycles are involved in just 2% of pedestrian casualties reported to and by the police. The rest, 98%, are hit by motor vehicles, the bulk of whose mileage happens on motorways or A roads. For more on this, please see our briefing on pedestrians.In collisions involving one car and one cycle from 2012-2021, almost 500 cyclists died, compared to four car occupants.Also, as mentioned, more cycling makes for a safer, cleaner and more pleasant environment, so benefits everyone in that way too. "
Adrian Irving ● 587d