Facts and figures on cycling accidents

Most injuries to children and young people riding bikes are caused when other drivers or riders are turning right, overtaking parked vehicles, turning left, starting off or stopping.

These are reported road accidents only. Between 60% and 90% of cyclist casualties are not reported, especially if the victim is a child and it is a bicycle-only accident.

About one third of all those injured are children. Cycling accidents increase as children grow older and peak around 16 years. This to some extent reflects increased cycling as children grow older followed by a switch to motorised transport from late teens onwards. It also coincides with the age when children attend Secondary School, and this may indicate riskier behaviour by this age group.

Males are more likely to be involved in cycling accidents than females; four out of five cyclist casualties are male.

Around 80% of cycling accidents occur in daylight - which is when most cycling takes place. The most dangerous hours for cyclists are 8am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm on weekdays.

National figures source: DFT- National Statistics Published June 2006

Cycle accidents summary

• 90% occur in urban areas
• 75% happen at or near a road junction
• 80% occur in daylight
• 80% of cyclist casualties are male
• About one third of the cyclists killed or injured are pupils
• Around three quarters of cyclists killed have a major head injury

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