Cycle fatalities jumped 40% last year despite a falling death rate among all road users and a drop in traffic due to lockdown restrictions.
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Figures released by the Department for Transport show there were 140 pedal cyclist deaths in 2020 compared to 100 the previous year. Fatalities among car occupants fell 15% to 624 and pedestrian deaths came down by a quarter to 355 for the year.
In all, there were 1472 fatalities in road accidents in Great Britain in 2020, a decrease of 16% on the previous year. Road traffic over the same period fell by 21%.
Cycling charity Sustrans said the statistics highlight the need for more protected cycle routes through towns and cities. Its head of public affairs Rachel White added: “By addressing the urgent need for better infrastructure, education and policy, unnecessary deaths of those cycling can be avoided in future.”
Coventry’s bicycle mayor Adam Tranter told TP Weekly News that more effort needs to be made to make drivers aware of cyclists, and that a revision to the Highway Code presents an opportunity to remind everyone of their responsibilities towards those on two wheels.
Yesterday the Transport Minister Baroness Vere told a conference hosted by transport safety group PACTS that she acknowledged the road safety numbers for cyclists and pedestrians were “less than impressive”.
“Despite having some of the safest roads in the world, our vulnerable road users feel they face a level of risk that is just unacceptable,” she said. “Per distance travelled, those who cycle or walk are more likely to be casualties than those behind the wheel. We cannot expect to inspire people to cycle if they don’t feel safe.”
Following the release of the accident statistics, a Department for Transport spokesman said: “Although, regrettably, there has been an increase in the absolute number of cyclist deaths, this figure represents a fall in the death rate, given a 46% increase in the number of miles travelled by cyclists.
“While we have some of the safest roads in the world, this Government will continue to work tirelessly to ensure they are made safer still.”
The spokesman added that £2Bn is going towards supporting cycling and walking over the next five years, including for safe high quality infrastructure and proposing changes to the Highway Code to further protect cyclists.
(Photograph: Format4 - Alamy)
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