Thousands of cyclists not fully insured
With Ireland in the middle of a cycling boom and more cyclists taking to the road to avail of the extra hour of daylight, road safety experts have warned serious trouble for some is just around the corner.
Noel Gibbons, road safety officer, Mayo County Council, said while many think they are covered by their household contents policies, these often do not go far enough.
“Household insurance policies are general insurance. They do not provide specialist cover that is needed, whether it’s for theft or for third party,” he said.
Close to 200,000 bikes have been bought under the Bike-to-Work scheme since it was launched in 2009, but those who have not joined a recognised cycling club or become a member of Cycling Ireland are leaving themselves wide open to a financial hit in the event of being injured or causing an accident.
The number of cyclists injured in 2012 hit a 10-year high, according to the Road Safety Authority, while the National Spinal Centre has seen a 200% increase in spinal trauma from cycling injuries over a four-year period.
A total of 630 cyclists were injured on our roads in 2012.
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