The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents published their Road Safety Fact Sheet in November 2017. According to their report:
- In 2016, 18,477 cyclists were injured in reported road accidents, including 3,499 who were killed or seriously injured.
- The majority of cyclist casualties are adults, with approximately 10% being children. However, cycling accidents increase as children grow older, with 10 to 15 year old riders being more at risk than other age groups, including adults until about the age of 60 years.
- Human error is the main contributory factor involving cyclist collisions.
- Accidents involving child cyclists are often the result of the child playing, doing tricks, riding too fast or losing control.
- In collisions involving a bicycle and another vehicle, the most common key contributory factor recorded by the police is ‘failed to look properly’ by either the driver or rider, especially at junctions.
- Cyclists are more likely to suffer serious injuries when a driver is judged to be ‘impaired by alcohol’, 'exceeding the speed limit’ or ‘travelling too fast for the conditions’.
- In a quarter of fatal cyclist accidents, the front of the vehicle hit the rear of the bicycle.
- About one quarter of accidents resulting in serious injury to a cyclist involved an HGV, bus or coach ‘passing too close’ to the rider.
Have you witnessed a road cycling accident and didn't know how to help? Or do you have adventurous children who love their bike?
Surrey First Aid Training can help prepare you for being a first aider to a cycling accident, including how to recognise a head injury and how to deal with a major bleed.
For more information of our courses, please contact us on 01483 238 268 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
12/03/2018