DfT releases 2012 annual report for road casualties

Government statistics released today indicate that serious injuries to cyclists rose faster than bike use in 2012. Deaths and serious injuries sustained by cyclists rose 5 percent, while the total distance traveled by bike rose just 1.2 percent.

The figures, published by the Department for Transport, show that in 2012 cycle fatalities rose from 107 in 2011 to 118.

Serious injuries increased to 3,222 from 3,085 a year previously. There are now a third more serious injuries than the 2005-2009 average - the baseline for comparing progress.

Roger Geffen, CTC Campaigns Director, said: “Although cycle use has increased, serious injuries and deaths to cyclists are increasing faster. The Government needs to respond to the Get Britain Cycling report, which called for substantial investment in cycling facilities, lower speeds and better traffic law enforcement to improve cycle safety as we encourage more people to cycle.”

British Cycling called the incease in cyclist injuries and fatalities “disturbing”.

British Cycling’s Director of Legal and Policy Affairs, Martin Gibbs, said: “It is very disturbing that there has been a 10% increase in cycling deaths and a 4% increase in cycling injuries over the last year.

“Although the number of people cycling is increasing, the number of casualties is increasing at an even faster rate. These statistics show that we rapidly need to improve conditions on the road. If the government is serious about getting Britain cycling we need to ensure that cycling is built in to all new road developments and junctions.”

Both motor traffic and overall road deaths fell between 2011 and 2012, with fatalities at their lowest ever level, 1,754. However, most of that fall represents motor vehicles users, perhaps indicating greater vehicle safety and associated with a fall in motor traffic.

Even motoring bodies recognise the severity of the figures for cyclist deaths and injuries.

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “The IAM has always warned that failing to match investment in segregated facilities with the growing numbers of cyclists would lead to an increase in death and serious injury and this worrying trend continues.  A ten per cent increase in cycling deaths in a year when the weather suppressed cycling trips is a real red danger signal that simply cannot be ignored.”

London calling

The story is mixed for London. Fatalities were down on both 2011 and the 2005-9 baseline, with 14 cyclist deaths in 2012. However, the fatal and seriously injured figure for cyclists was up 18 percent year on year and up 60 percent compared to 2005-9.

Some of the increase is down to the increased popularity of cycling in the last decade, but it will add further ammunition to campaigners’ calls for safety-orientated Dutch-style dedicated cycling infrastructure that the increased popularity of cycling in the capital is at the cost of more injured cyclists.