Cycling fatalities peak in summer

27 July 2022

 Walking and cycling: latest evidence to support policy-making and practice

Summer presents a seasonal peak for cycling fatalities and the latest thematic report from the Road Safety Observatory outlines important findings and recommendations as to why this is, and where improvements could be made.

Cyclists are particularly vulnerable in traffic and constitute the only road user group in the EU where the number of fatalities has not declined since 2010. Shockingly 1 in 10 recorded road deaths is a cyclist, rising to one in seven on urban roads. Reasons for the stagnation in the levels of cyclist fatalities might include the increased popularity of cycling or other factors such as the lack of safe cycling infrastructure.

Fatal cyclist crashes mostly involve motor vehicles. In 2019 in the EU this was the case in around 70 per cent of fatal crashes. Reliable EU-wide data on serious injuries is lacking, and it should be noted that bicycle crashes are significantly underreported, especially crashes without the involvement of motorised vehicles.

Active travel modes, especially walking and cycling, are now recognized by many as modes that are fully equal to other urban transport modes, integrated in planning frameworks, and adopted as part of the mainstream – not just in trailblazer countries, but worldwide. An ever-growing body of science underpins the gains society can reap from active travel in terms of transport, health and environmental benefits. Planning practice has accumulated a rich portfolio of measures ready to be considered for inspiration, adaptation and possible application in every city. This publication presents a comprehensive case for why and how to promote walking and cycling, based on the latest evidence from scientific research and planning practice.

Read more and access the report here.e report here.