Call for a free consultation today

Commuter heading back home on Westminster Bridge.

Cyclists make cities safer for everyone

Encouraging commuting by bike and improving cycling infrastructure can benefit all road users, including motorists and pedestrians.

There is power in numbers and perception of our safety increases when we are part of a large group, all performing the same activity, rather than as an isolated individual. When it comes to cycling there is a broad amount of evidence that shows that this is not just a perception, but that risk is actually reduced where more people are on bikes. However, whilst the understanding that an increased number of cyclists on the roads makes it safer for everyone is widely supported, recent research unpicks the reasons and suggests it is not numbers alone that create the reduction in incidents, injuries and fatalities.

 

In the largest study of road safety to date researchers at the University of Colorado, Denver, and the University of New Mexico looked through 13 years of data from 12 large cities in the United States with a lot of cycling, including Oklahoma City, Memphis, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis, and Portland and investigated over 17,000 fatalities and 77,000 severe injuries. During those years, the U.S. saw a 51 % increase in bicycling to work and the number of protected bike lanes double each year starting in 2009.

The study, published in the Journal of Transport & Health 2019, found that bike facilities act as “calming” mechanisms on traffic, slowing cars and reducing fatalities. Between 1990 and 2010, Portland’s bicycle share increased from 1.2 % to 6 % and the road fatality rate dropped by 75 % over the same period. With added bike lanes, fatal crash rates dropped in Seattle by 60.6 %, San Francisco by 49.3 %, Denver by 40.3 %, and Chicago by 38.2 %.

Originally, it was believed that an increase in cyclists would lead to a “safety-in-numbers” effect which would make drivers more likely to slow down and be aware of their surroundings. However, this research found that it’s not the number of cyclists, but rather the infrastructure built for them, such as separated and protected bike lanes, that create this effect.

 

In the UK, a review by the University College London’s Centre for Transport Studies, reported in the journal Injury Prevention that the apparent risk reduction in popular cycling areas is not explained simply by there being more cyclists on the road, “it is unlikely that the effect of SIN (safety in numbers)  is an emergent property of the sheer numbers of cyclists or pedestrians, but more likely to be an effect of significant investments in measures that make cyclists and pedestrians feel safe, such as dedicated infrastructure and the enforcement of laws that regulate how pedestrians, cyclists and motorists behave on the roads.”

Whilst this was written in 2015 it applies very strongly to our current situation and the increased appetite from government to support cycling. The paper goes on to say “ These kinds of investments are expressions of a country’s political will to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and as such, the SIN effect may be a reward for this, or the effect may in fact be in the opposite direction. That is, those places less risky for pedestrians and cyclists may be the places where more people walk and cycle.”

Motorists having less accidents and driving more safely in places of high cycling use is very interesting and an area that demands much further research, as the authors acknowledge saying, “assuming a causal direction from increased numbers of pedestrians and cyclists to improved motorist behaviour merits further research.” However, the final message is that creating safer environments remains the key to improving the experience and safety of pedestrians and cyclists  “dedicated infrastructure and separation from motor traffic, is likely to achieve the desired effect to reduce pedestrian and cycling collisions, fatalities and disabilities.”

Regardless of the reasons why ‘safety in numbers’ reduces risk, the positive effect of more people cycling is something we all stand to benefit from. Let us hope that the current feelings towards cycling is not short lived and that the Prime Minister’s promise of a ‘golden age of cycling’ comes to fruition. More cyclists, more cycling infrastructure, and a broader acceptance of cycling as a means of transport could transform many aspects of our cities, including making them safer places to live and work.

 

1.References:

For more information about our services or to start your claim, call 0808 100 9995 and speak to one of our specialist solicitors. We're here  to help. You can email us or schedule a callback.

Wesley E. Marshall, Nicholas N. Ferenchak. Why cities with high bicycling rates are safer for all road users. Journal of Transport & Health, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2019.03.004

Christie N, Pike I. Is it safe in numbers? Injury Prevention 2015;21:276-277.

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.