Cyclist and motorcyclist casualties drop

The number of cyclists involved in accidents on roads across England, has dropped significantly over the last year, according to recent figures. The Health Minister, Ben Bradshaw said that 13,368 cyclists were admitted to hospital in 2006-7, decreasing from 13,533 cases in 2005-6. However the number of cyclist casualties is still 25 per cent higher than the figures five years ago, where around 10,800 cyclists received hospital treatment.

Cyclist casualties

In 2006-7, 1,873 cyclists were injured after colliding with cars or vans and a further 129 were in accidents that involved lorries and buses. Around 9,191 cyclists were injured in incidents that didn’t involve any other vehicles, while 518 hit stationary objects. A further 208 collided with other riders and 89 crashed into people or animals. The statistics were provided by Mr Bradshaw, to shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley in a Commons written reply.

In related news, the fall in cyclist casualties also extended to motorcyclists where statistics brought out by the Department for Transport (DfT), have shown that the number of motorcycle casualties have dropped significantly in the space of a year. In the DfT’s annual Road Casualties Great Britain Annual Report bulletin, the total value of incidents have dropped by six per cent.

The casualty rate for every 100 million kilometres has been decreasing every year, from 621cases – the average number in 1994-1998 - down to 420 incidents in 2007. This represents a 32 per cent drop. In regards to ‘slight casualties’, the number of incidents fell by an even greater margin, by 34 per cent against the Government’s 2010 target for a 10 per cent reduction across all modes.

Motorcyclist safety

Commenting on the statistics, Kevin Bryan, the Chairman of MRTA, said: "Any reduction in casualties is welcome particularly given the increasing popularity and usage of motorcycles and scooters. Although there was a very slight increase in total casualties, the continuing fall in the rate is a positive sign."

Bryan believes the figures show that the training industry’s work on safety is going in the right direction. He added: "While the statistics also demonstrate that there is still much work to be done to further reduce the motorcycle casualty rate, these latest figures are a sign that even with increased motorcycle traffic, up eight per cent over the previous year, motorcycling is gradually becoming safer. Part of this is attributable to the Government’s Motorcycle Strategy and the efforts of the training industry which is continuing its drive to deliver safer and better trained riders into the motorcycle community."

Mr Bryan concluded: ‘The MRTA is far from complacent, and the hard work will continue to further improve the quality of training and road user education to ensure these safety improvements are continued. Motorcyclists continue to be among the most vulnerable users and it is up to all road users to recognise this, not just motorcyclists themselves.

The fall in the number of road casualties, can have significant effects on the cost of bike insurance premiums; reducing them as their travels become safer.

The previous the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone cites the fall in the number of accidents on the road is down to extra investment into road safety.

He has said: "London is well on track to meet the tough target I have set, for a 50 per cent reduction by 2010 in the number of deaths and serious injuries on the capital's roads. Since 2000, increased investment in road safety from £18m to £42m this year has helped make our roads safer."

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