The number of cyclists killed on rural roads in England has soared during the Covid-19 pandemic, official data shows.
There was a cycling boom during the lockdowns, with people jumping in the saddle in record numbers to get exercise and fresh air.
However, Department of Transport showed that 89 people lost their lives on countryside roads last year - up by almost 50% from 60 fatalities in 2019, with 48 deaths in recorded in 2018.
The deaths occurred despite there being fewer vehicles using rural routes - with a marked drop in the amount of traffic during the pandemic restrictions, reports the BBC.
Rural routes were also deadlier than those in towns and cities.
In total, between 2018 and 2020, there were 3,115 fatalities - including cyclists, car drivers, horse riders, and pedestrians - on rural roads in England. By comparison, the same period saw 1,880 deaths on urban roads.
A further 30,000 people were seriously injured on rural roads during the same period.
Specialist rural insurer NFU Mutual has now joined forces with British Cycling and the British Horse Society to launch a campaign called Respect Rural Roads, urging those travelling around the countryside to take more care.
Urging road users to "respect the hazards from the design and conditions on rural roads, and behave "with caution", they say the number of deaths and serious injuries on rural roads can be reduced if people "respect and understand the needs of all rural road users" and "make safety their priority".
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