Safety Concerns as Brits Consider Cycling to Work

What Safety Measures Do Cyclists Want?

Cyclists across the UK were recently asked by insurance company Cycleplan what steps should be put in place to make cycling safer. Among the most popular suggestions were:

• Cycle lanes completely separate to the road
• Bigger fines for dangerous drivers
• Tougher rules on using bike helmets and lights
• Cyclist awareness to be included in the driving test

Important Changes to the Highway Code

In 2022 the Highway Code was updated and three new rules were introduced which relate to cyclists.  In Rule H1 we are reminded that cyclists have a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians. Other people you encounter may have impaired sight, hearing or mobility which may not be obvious. In Rule H2 it says cyclists should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which, or from you are turning.  Cyclists also have priority on parallel crossings. It is also important to know that cyclists now also have to give way to pedestrians on shared use cycle tracks and to horse riders on bridleways. Rule H3 reminds drivers and motorcyclists not to cut across cyclists or a flow of cyclists especially when turning into a side road.  This update of the code reminded us all of the hierarchy of road users in which cyclists are listed as the second most vulnerable behind pedestrians.

What’s Being Done to Get Us Cycling?

In 2020 the Government’s announced a £2 billion drive to get more people cycling. Cycle training was offered to adults and children. This was available from schools, councils and cycle training schemes.

The Government also committed to creating thousands of miles of new protected bike lanes, and launched £50 bike repair vouchers to encourage more people to travel by bicycle.

 Cycleplan poll shows that more than two-thirds of cyclists wanted the Government to go further. Figures also reveal:

• Nearly 9 in 10 cyclists believe the UK lags behind other countries when it comes to cycling safely;
• Less than 1 in 5 feel “safe” or “very safe” when cycling on UK roads;
• More than 1 in 3 cyclists have been injured on the roads in the previous 12 months.

Interestingly, how safe people feel depends partly on where they live. For example, 71% of cyclists in Cardiff feel unsafe, as do 65% of cyclists in Leeds, 55% in Manchester and 54% in London.

This says to us that the standard of cycling infrastructure varies a great deal across England and Wales, so this is problem which must be dealt with if more people are to feel safe on their bikes.

If cycling is seen as a key part of getting people back to work, it has to be done safely. If you’ve been injured in a cycling accident that wasn’t your fault, perhaps because of a motorist’s negligence or a defect in the road surface such as a pothole, get in touch with our Road Traffic Accident Solicitors.

We offer a free claims assessment and legal advice, so we can discuss your situation with you. If we take on your claim, we’ll investigate precisely what happened, who is responsible for your injuries and negotiate with them for a fair amount of compensation to be paid.

The compensation awarded should include both general damages and special damages to reflect everything from the pain and suffering you’ve gone through to the cost of any medical treatment, care and rehabilitation you need, as well as any financial losses. This includes lost earnings and the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged bicycle, helmet and personal belongings.