Stay Safe On Your Bike: Avoid A Cycling Accident

Cycling accidents are extremely common in the UK with figures from the Royal Society

for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) showing just over 17,000 cyclists were killed or injured in the UK in 2010 alone. However, these figures only include cyclists who were injured in accidents which were reported to the police. Many more accidents occur which are not deemed serious enough for a police report. Awareness is the key to the reduction of such accidents.

Common Causes Of Accidents

- Drivers failing to check their blind spot: this leads to drivers merging into cyclists, turning into the cyclist or into the path of the cyclist at a junction

- Cyclists failing to look properly: riding into the path of a vehicle, often from a pavement or failing to look properly when turning right at a junction.

- Speed

- Motorist passing too closely to cyclist

How Can I Avoid An Accident?

1. Look properly. Whether you are a motorist or a cyclist: this is paramount. It is so simple to check your blind-spot and ultimately it could save your life or the life of a cyclist. Also, as a cyclist: be aware of pedestrians. The figures relating to cycling accidents do not leave cyclists faultless; many accidents are caused by cyclists hitting pedestrians at speed.

2. Give cyclists room: Passing a cyclist too closely can result in you clipping their bike or causing them to lose balance. This is aimed directly at motorists, and to bus and HGV drivers in particular. In London HGVs cause a high proportion of serious cycling accidents. Be aware of your fellow road users.

3. Watch your speed: Every road user must take heed of this. Also a high number of accidents involving children on bicycles are down to speed or the performance of tricks on a bike. Try your best not to lose control and stick to manoeuvres within your ability range.

If I Am Involved In An Accident?

Even if you take heed of these warnings, unfortunately accidents do still happen. If you are involved in an accident, first things first, I hope you are wearing a helmet. Helmets are vital. The Department for Transport reports that 70% of cyclists killed in London had a serious head injury and 80% of fatalities on rural roads were caused by head injuries during 2010. A helmet could be the difference between life and death.

If you have been involved in a cycling accident which was not your fault, you may be able to make an injury claim against the third party to receive compensation for the injuries you incurred.

by: Nicholas Jervis

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