The most recent Department for Transport (DfT) statistics, published in September 2021, show that 16,294 cyclists were injured in reported road accidents in 2020, with 141 killed, 4,215 seriously injured and 11,938 slightly injured. These figures do not include cyclist casualties that were not reported to the police, or cycling accidents that took place away from the road, meaning the true number of serious and slight injuries during the year is likely to be at least twice as high.
While the 41% increase in pedal cyclist fatalities in 2022 from the previous year was described as ‘staggering’ by the AA, overall cyclist casualties fell by 3.5%, and the number of deaths or injuries per mile travelled fell by 34% in 2020 year on year. Pedal cycles travelled an estimated five billion miles on UK roads in 2020, representing a 46% increase compared to the previous year, while cyclists took shorter journeys due to the impact of the pandemic.
While the steep and surprising rise in the number of cyclist fatalities in 2020 has worried cycling groups, it may be largely attributed to an increase in risky driving during the pandemic lockdowns. Overall, cyclist fatalities have remained flat over the last five years, having fallen significantly since 2005, which should mean that the spike in 2020 was an exception and largely due to lockdown restrictions.
If you are a cyclist and have been injured in a road traffic accident, contact our firm for expert legal advice from solicitors who are themselves cyclists, and who have recently handled cycling accident compensation claims against motorists and other road users.
https://www.bartlettslaw.co.uk/road-accident-claims/when-can-a-cyclist-claim-against-a-motorist.html