Cycling boasts a range of benefits, and in today’s society commuters are encouraged to cycle to and from work where possible. However the risks involved in cycling on Britain’s road are putting many commuters off using a bike.
Statistics released from the Department of Transport for the third quarter of last year show a fall in car accidents, motorcycle accidents and incidents involving pedestrians, but an 8% increase in deaths and serious injuries among cyclists.
Deaths and serious injuries for the previous quarters in 2010 also rose by 10% and 8% respectively, amounting to 3,000 cycling deaths and serious injuries on the roads over the year to September 2011.
The average number of cyclists killed or seriously injured between 2005 and 2009 was just over 2,500 per year.
Dangers faced as a cyclist on Britain's roads
Mr Mitchell, a VIP liaison officer for West Midlands Police has spoken about the dangers he faces on Britain’s roads.
Mr Mitchell who commutes 17-miles a day by bike said: "The amount of times I've been clipped with a wing mirror, had vans nearly knock me off and cars turn in front of me.
"It's a nightmare, and I'm trying to do the right thing by exercising and not using the car, but it's so difficult."
Debate needed on how cyclists and drivers share the roads
Yvonne Gilligan for Sustrans, a charity that promotes sustainable transport said: "The car has become king in many ways.
"But if we are serious about wanting more people to cycle, we need a really good debate about how cyclists and drivers share the roads.
"If car drivers played by the rules, and did what they're supposed to, then it would make our lives a lot easier, and a lot safer."
Christalla Christodoulidou, a solicitor at Thompsons Solicitors’ Serious Injuries Team said: “Cycling deaths and serious injuries have risen at an alarming rate for a third consecutive year and it is unacceptable in a modern society. We welcome campaigns such as the London Cycling Campaigns 'Go Dutch' campaign which highlights the need for considerate driving and proper bike provision on the road. We deal with far too many cases where cyclists are unnecessarily killed or injured on our roads. The government can't talk green and not deliver, more resources are needed to prevent avoidable accidents.”
Injured on the roads? Help and compensation is close at hand.
If you’ve been injured on the roads in the last three years, Thompsons Solicitors' expert road traffic accident solicitors can support you with making a road traffic compensation claim.
Whether you were the driver or passenger in a car, lorry, coach, van, bus, truck, on public transport or were injured as a pedestrian or cyclist, you may be able to claim for damages.
If you have suffered injuries such as whiplash, bruising or a more serious injury following a road traffic collision on the motorway, country lane or city roads, our solicitors across the UK are ready to help you to make a claim and access any rehabilitation you require.
Unlike other firms, Thompsons only ever acts for the injured person – never for insurance companies. This means we will fight harder to secure the maximum level of compensation for your injuries, and don’t need to please motor insurance paymasters.
Contact us today for a free, no obligation assessment of whether you have a claim for compensation following a road accident.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.