Welcome to the On Your Bike cyclists information area of theZone. This area is designed for you to get a better understanding of your bicycle and road awareness and all of the relevant safety issues connected with cycling on the roads of Warwickshire today.

Accidents and Incidents Facts and Figures

Cycling safety is of the utmost importance and cannot be stressed enough, this section is designed so that you are aware of the problems and dangers that are faced by cyclists on the roads toady.

• Most cycling accidents happen in urban areas where most cycling takes place. Nearly 75% happen at, or near a road junction, with T-junctions being the most commonly involved.
• Another particularly dangerous junction for cyclists to navigate is a roundabout.
• Around 80% of cycling accidents occur in daylight – which is when most cycling is taking place, the most dangerous hours for cyclists being between 08:00 – 09:00 and 15:00 – 18:00 on weekdays.
• More cycle accidents occur during Spring and Summer months (May to September) than in the Autumn and Winter months (October to April).

Types of Accidents

Accidents involving cyclists are often the result of riding too fast, loosing control and collisions with motor vehicles

Common Cycling Accidents

• Child cyclists playing or riding to o fast
• Cyclist and Motorist going straight ahead
• Cyclist turning right from a major road to a minor road
• Motorist emerging into the path of a cyclist
• Cyclist riding into the path of a motor vehicle, often riding off the pavement

Incidents on the road, which lead to death and injury, are commonly referred to as accidents.

It is hard to imagine anyone deliberately involving him or herself in an “accident”, but the attitude and manner of riders and drivers in certain circumstances suggests a degree of inevitability about becoming involved.

This is far from the case as most “accidents” are preventable and, with the application of necessary skills and equipment, many more are avoidable.

Question: “Do younger riders have more accidents?”

Indeed it is teenagers, particularly males, who are most frequently casualties in reported cycling traffic accidents.

• Almost half of all cyclist casualties both reported and un-reported suffer head injuries; this is a very strong argument for always. wearing a helmet when cycling.
• Motorists use a common excuse that they “did not see”. the cyclists.

This more that emphasises the importance of cyclist, especially younger riders, being visible and reducing the opportunity of the accident happening in the first place, then drivers will not be able to use that excuse.

When drivers are aware of a cyclists presence, they will be more wary, and prepare themselves for any manoeuvres or mistakes that the cyclists might make or encounter.

Cycling Issues

• Cyclists riding in the dark without adequate lights and reflectors are a greater risk of being involved in a road accident. Therefore, when riding in the dark, all cyclists should use front and rear lights (and have a rear reflector fitted) as required by law.
• Bicycles should also have front, pedal and wheel reflectors fitted to the bicycle.
• Cyclists should wear something fluorescent and reflective.

Accident data indicated that more cyclists are likely to be involved in an accident during daylight hours. Therefore, daytime visibility is just as, if not more, important than the issue of the cycle lights.

Your Equipment

• Helmet
• Flourescent Belt
• Lights (Front and rear)
• Gloves
• Puncture repair kit
• D Lock
• and your bike!

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