Number of cyclists injured on Irish roads hits 10-year high
A total of 630 cyclists were injured on Irish roads in 2012 and 53% (335) of these injuries occurred in Dublin alone.
The RSA report revealed that the mid-week, evening, and morning rush-hour and lunchtime were the times cyclists were most likely to be injured. Cyclist injuries peaked during May to September, when 54% of cyclists injuries occurred. Three-quarters of cyclists injured in 2012 were male, while over half were aged 25-49.
Launching the report, RSA chief executive Moyagh Murdock said that all cyclists should be aware of their vulnerability on the roads.
“This report shows that cyclists are injured most often when they are out and about cycling for leisure. Over eight in 10 cyclist injuries occurred in built-up rather than in rural areas, so city cyclists, especially in Dublin, need to be extra vigilant.”
Ms Murdock said that drivers need to pay greater attention to their speed, particularly in urban areas.
“There also needs to be greater implementation of lower speed limits, by local authorities, particularly in these urban areas that are rich in vulnerable road users,” she said.
“The vast majority of drivers are speeding in areas that are used in large numbers by vulnerable road users. A recent free speed survey conducted by the RSA found that, currently, 83% of drivers are exceeding the 50km/h speed limit on urban national roads. So to put this in context, nine out of 10 pedestrians hit by a vehicle at 60km/h will die,” she said.
John Kelly, orthopaedic surgeon at Mayo General Hospital, said most cycling-related injuries are a temporary inconvenience.
“However, the worst injuries are the ones affecting the spine. The types of injuries that will threaten your ability to ever walk or hold your child again. They threaten your life as you know it and they’re happening at an ever increasing frequency, to young, fit, and healthy people,” he warned.
Mr Kelly recently led research into spinal trauma resulting from cycling injuries nationally.
“Our own research corroborates with the RSA’s report on the increase in cyclist injuries.
In fact, a recent study showed a 200% increase in spinal trauma from cycling injuries referred to the National Spinal Centre over a four-year period.
The growing popularity of cycling as both a sport and a means of transport has been the main cause of this dramatic increase,” he said.
The number of cyclists on the roads has increased in recent years, particularly in cities. Central Statistics Office (2011) figures show a 9.6% increase in people cycling to work, and that men account for the majority of cyclists in Ireland (75%).
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