The growing popularity of cycling in Scotland
Cycling is an increasingly popular past time and method of travelling to work in Scotland, encouraged by various government initiatives and British success in cycling competitions. Cycling Scotland Annual Cycling Monitoring Report 2018 reported that 5% of adults usually or regularly cycle to work and 5.1% of primary school pupils frequently travel to school by bike.
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The Scottish Government’s 2017 Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS) showed that the total number of km cycled on roads by pedal cycles in 2016 was 352 million, which was a 2.6% increase on 2015 and a 13.5% increase from 5 years ago.
Cycling UK commented that the use of bikes will continue to rise in Scotland “as more people recognise it as a convenient, low-cost everyday transport”. The Scottish Government has committed to encouraging more cycling and walking with an increase in per-head investment for both health and "carbon footprint" reasons. Funding for "active travel" will be increased to £80 million, which the organisation says is around twice that spent per head in England. "We hope that this increase is just the start of a cycling revolution in Scotland" said Cycling UK's Head of Development for Scotland.
Cycling safety
Encouragingly, the Cycling Monitoring Report pointed out that cycling safety has improved slightly in recent years with the overall casualty rate per million vehicle kilometres falling to 2.24 in 2016 from 2.33 in 2015.
Overall, however, cycling accounted for just 1% of journeys made in Scotland in 2016 whereas the Scottish Government's Cycling Action Plan for Scotland outlines an objective of 10% of journeys to be taken in Scotland by cycle. With one third of journeys estimated as being less than 2 miles, there is seen to be considerable scope for further increases in cycle journeys. Given this objective and efforts behind it, it seems inevitable that numbers of accidents involving cyclists are likely to rise.
Unsurprisingly, most of the accidents involving cyclists are in the major conurbations. A response to a Freedom of Information request concerning cycling accidents in Scotland (published 16th March 2018) outlined statistics on the pedal cyclists injured in road accidents by council area in 2016. Almost half of the total accidents in Scotland were recorded in Edinburgh and Glasgow City. Edinburgh accounted for over 29% of the total while for Glasgow City the figure was almost 17%.
What to do if you have been injured in a cycling accident?
If you have been injured in a cycling accident that was not your fault, you may be able to claim the person responsible. There are several steps you can take to increase the chances of a successful claim.
Details of vehicles involved and of any witnesses will provide significant evidence for your case. Photographic evidence can be crucial including anything that contributed, such as potholes.
Even if you do not have specific evidence, you should still contact us to discuss your circumstances, as we can investigate on your behalf.
Contact our cycling accident claims solicitors today
We are experienced in helping people who have suffered all types of injuries following a cycling road accident. Rachel Holt recently secured damages of £10,000 for our client after he was knocked off his bike. To speak to someone who can help you claim the compensation you deserve call us on 0800 808 5176 or complete our online enquiry form and a member of our team will get back to you right away.
