Austerity measures link to rise in cyclist deaths
It has recently been reported in the media that when commuters swap train, tube and car travel for bicycles during periods of austerity, the death toll rises.
In 2010, cyclist deaths across the UK rose by 7% as government austerity measures were kicking-in and, in the first half of 2011, the number of cyclists killed or seriously hurt on UK roads rose 12% year-on-year.
This trend is not new, cycle deaths rose by 58% between 1930 and 1935, and by 14% between 1980 and 1984. After both the 1930′s and the 1980′s recessions, the number of cycle fatalities fell back once again.
Every year in this country there are around 17,000 reported crashes involving cyclists, over 2,700 of the cyclists involved in these crashes were killed or seriously injured. These figures exclude cycling accidents that occur away from the road such as mountain biking and leisure-cycling on off-road cycle paths.
About one fifth of the cyclists killed and injured are children. Cycling accidents increase as children grow older, with 10 to 15 year old riders being more at risk than all other age groups.
This is why we at dbda have developed a series of safer cycling materials, for new and younger riders, that endeavour to create a safer cyclist who is more aware of the dangers and their vulnerability on today’s roads.
Materials range from training manuals and posters, through to leaflets about helmet wearing, cycling in traffic and the use and fitting of bicycle lights and reflectors.
You can view all materials at the dbda webshop and rospa shop and can order online or by phone at 0870 333 771.