Hundreds of cyclists have been "seriously injured" over the past three years following crashes with cars.
More than 1,100 road traffic incidents involving both drivers and cyclists have been reported to Merseyside Police over the last three years, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed.
A total of 1,135 incidents were reported to the force between January 2019 and October 2021.
The FOI request, which contained a set of questions relating to general road traffic incidents involving both types of road users, was submitted to the force by electric bike retailer Avaris eBikes, as part of the company’s research into safety and awareness on the roads.
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The data shows that in 2019, 343 of these incidents were reported to the police, in 2020, 393 were, and in 2021, up until October 31, 399 incidents were.
The figures for 2021 run up until the end of October as the FOI submission was made in November. Despite this, there were more reported incidents during the ten months of last year, than in 2019 and 2020.
Merseyside Police cited Liverpool as the area with the most reported road traffic incidents involving both drivers and cyclists last year, up until October 31. Smithdown Road, which forms part of the A532, was the worst-affected single road with the highest number of incidents, during the same ten-month period.
As well as this, the responses show 261 cyclists were ‘seriously injured’ in RTIs reported to them over the three-year period.
The figures come as the Department for Transport updated the Highway Code with the introduction of a ‘hierarchy of road users’, to prioritise and protect those most at risk of serious collisions, such as pedestrians and cyclists. The changes came into effect on January 29.
They include eight new rules and amendments to various existing rules, and mean those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in a collision, bear the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others.
The changes to the Highway Code mean if a driver, motorcyclist or cyclist is turning into or exiting a road at a junction, they should stop to let pedestrians cross.
When turning in or out of a junction, or changing lane or direction, drivers should not cut across cyclists who are travelling straight ahead. Drivers must not turn if doing so would cause a cyclist to stop or swerve, and to stop and wait for a safe gap in the flow of cyclists if necessary.
Motorists should also use the ‘Dutch reach’ method - and use the hand on the opposite side of their door to open it, to ensure they look over their shoulder, thereby reducing the chance of hitting a passing cyclist. They should leave at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds.
Richard Heys, the founder of Avaris eBikes, has welcomed the updates and said he hopes the new rules will help cyclists and drivers to work better together for optimum safety on the roads, he said: “All road users need to be aware of the Highway Code and should shoulder their responsibility to take care of others.
“This is extremely important because there is an ever-growing number of cyclists on the roads for a number of reasons. A huge amount of people, even those living outside cities, are now saving time and money by using electric and traditional bikes to commute to and from work, which is very convenient to do on an eBike thanks to the pedal-assisted power.
“Fitness goals, gridlocked cities at rush-hour, general traffic, and a greater awareness of how carbon emissions are impacting our environment, mean people are switching away from car use and making smarter choices.
“We want roads to be safer places for cyclists and drivers, but this won’t come without both types of road users committing to being up-to-date with the rules and practices in place, being more aware of their surroundings, and educating themselves about all aspects of road safety.
“Using an electric bike is an exhilarating experience with many benefits that users should be able to enjoy comfortably on the roads.”
At least two in three drivers were unaware of the proposed changes before Christmas, according to the AA, which polled 13,000 of its members on the subject.
Cycling UK is a group that has campaigned for a safer Highway Code, working closely with the Department for Transport on the proposed changes.
Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s head of campaigns, has publicly welcomed the changes, but stated they will be of limited benefit if the public aren’t aware of them.
