118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

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simonhill
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118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by simonhill »

On the news this morning they were talking about potholes and the cost to the UK economy. Someone has done a report.

One standout comment for me was that 118 cyclists died as a result of (bound to be criticised for those words) poor road surfaces.

Was this correct?
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Paulatic
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Re: 118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by Paulatic »

Recent report https://www.gov.uk/government/statistic ... sheet-2023
I can’t see that it singles out road surfaces.
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VinceLedge
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Re: 118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by VinceLedge »

Seems unlikely if it means the UK.
A quick look at UK stats shows annual cycling deaths in the UK range from 91 - 118 between 2012 and 2022. 70-80% of these are from vehicle collisions.
Jdsk
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Re: 118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by Jdsk »

"A new report being presented to Government will show the AA dealt with 631,852 pothole-related incidents in 2023, the highest for five years. A total of 118 cyclists were killed or serious injured in four years due to defective road surfaces - mainly potholes often filled in with water after heavy rain making them invisible."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/b ... d-33832788

I'll try and find it.

Jonathan
cycle tramp
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Re: 118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by cycle tramp »

I would think it's down to terms of reference..

The AA could have written 'seriously injured or killed', and they would have to say how they would class a serious
injury.. and whether or not the resulting deaths were from the fall or falling and then being struck by a passing vehicle.

A quick Google does show there are instances where potholes have been responsible for killing both cyclists and motorcyclists without an third party. In the case of cyclists these potholes are often very narrow and really quite deep - which can grab your wheel..

118 over four years works out as roughly 29 and bit people per year, seriously injured or killed..

Personally the headline would have been more use reminding anyone on a single tracked vehicle - motorcycle; scooter, bicycle or whatever - don't cycle through any damned puddle if you can't see the surface beneath - anything could be under there.
Last edited by cycle tramp on 7 Oct 2024, 12:48pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Jdsk
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Re: 118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by Jdsk »

cycle tramp wrote: 7 Oct 2024, 12:37pm The AA could have written 'seriously injured or killed', and they would have to say how they would class a serious
injury.. and whether or not the resulting deaths were from the fall or falling and then being struck by a passing vehicle (the latter being the more usual).
The official definition of serious injury:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... s-2014.pdf

Jonathan
cycle tramp
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Re: 118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by cycle tramp »

Thanks, it's appreciated...

....whilst I hope that the councils receive due focus as to what they would class as a dangerous pot hole, should the cycle manufacturers equally receive some scrutiny as to whether they have contributed towards these figures?

..my driving of riding position (previously) on my (tractor, motorcycle), car and bicycle gives me a far reaching view of the road infront of me allowing me to spot any potential hazards. I don't think it's true of some bike riders I have seen, and perhaps the industry should be doing more to design for more rider adjustability across it's ranges.

We have had previous posts where forum members have admitted to colliding with the back of vans, or family members hitting parked cars.. if these larger objects can not be easily identified then a crack in a wet road surface measuring some 2 or 3 inches across for 2 or 3 feet becomes a potential life ender.

There is a need for all vehicles to be designed for the conditions in which they are to be used, and these designs should include measures to mitigate (as far as practical) the usual potential hazards.

Its generally a given that the earlier you see a road defect (patch of gravel, mud squshed into the road like mushroom heads, metal drain covers, massive puddle which could be hiding anything, animal faeces, squashed cardboard box) the more time you have to plan a course of action and tge better you'll handle the situation.
Last edited by cycle tramp on 7 Oct 2024, 2:24pm, edited 1 time in total.
Unlimited economic growth in a world of finite resources doesn't fit nor does it guarantee happiness.
simonhill
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Location: Essex

Re: 118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by simonhill »

Thanks for update and info. I may have misheard the news item, or they may have over truncated the announcement.

118 did seem high.
cycle tramp
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Re: 118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by cycle tramp »

simonhill wrote: 7 Oct 2024, 1:26pm Thanks for update and info. I may have misheard the news item, or they may have over truncated the announcement.

118 did seem high.
From my point of view any death is too high. It should be a given thing, that you'll start and end every journey alive and well... and each passing should be thoroughly investigated with recommendations being made and implemented.

The idea that x amount of road deaths is somehow publicly acceptable is an abhorrent thing. It's like the national lottery in reverse. .. our convenience vs the chances of road death.

In regards to potholes- it should be lawful that cyclists are allowed to mark potholes for other road users attention. Perhaps we need to push for a law change and uniform our styles of marking.
Unlimited economic growth in a world of finite resources doesn't fit nor does it guarantee happiness.
geocycle
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Re: 118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by geocycle »

Flooded potholes are a nightmare. I came off in one in April and still have scars.

Both sides of the road were flooded and the water met in a narrow strip 2 m wide at the apex of the road, I slowly cycled in the centre and the next thing I knew I was on the floor. When I got up there was another guy holding his head and covered in blood having hit the same hole 30 minutes earlier. According to some local tradesmen I was the fourth that day. It was reported to the council and got a quick response although I've not been that way since. Sometimes there isn't much you can do about it other than stay at home.
Jdsk
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Re: 118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by Jdsk »

Jdsk wrote: 7 Oct 2024, 9:48am "A new report being presented to Government will show the AA dealt with 631,852 pothole-related incidents in 2023, the highest for five years. A total of 118 cyclists were killed or serious injured in four years due to defective road surfaces - mainly potholes often filled in with water after heavy rain making them invisible."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/b ... d-33832788

I'll try and find it.
...
"Potholes need permanent repairs pothole partnership: new government needs to deliver":
https://www.theaa.com/about-us/newsroom ... ember-2024

Includes British Cycling.

Jonathan
cycle tramp
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Re: 118 Cyclists Die Due To Bad Road Surfaces.

Post by cycle tramp »

Thanks for the link, in the link it appears that of the 118, 6 persons died as a result of pothole collisions. Which works out as 1.25 per year.. whilst tragic, not quite the attention grabbing headline that 118 is...
Interesting that the cause of the cyclist has been championed by the AA.... when it suits them. I don't think the AA champion the cause of the cyclist when roads are go be built or when commuting rat runs are planned to be closed, with quite the same fever.
Unlimited economic growth in a world of finite resources doesn't fit nor does it guarantee happiness.
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