In collisions between bikes and vehicles, the person driving the vehicle is more often at fault according to new research by Cycling Scotland.

Cycling Scotland accident analysis report

After analysing data published in Reported Road Casualties Scotland, Cycling Scotland found that 73% of factors contributing to a collision between bikes and vehicles are assigned to the driver.

In the six years between 2015 and 2021, 54 people cycling were killed and 1,836 were seriously injured in road collisions in Scotland although reporting trends changed during this time. After the police introduced an injury-based reporting system in 2019, more accurate records have been established. The data shows that 469 people suffered serious injuries in collisions while cycling between April 2020 to March 2022.

A failure to look was the primary contributing factor for most collisions, with vehicle drivers more often at fault, accounting for 73% of the 512 incidents that fell into this category. A failure to judge other’s path or speed, driver carelessness, being too close to cyclists or pedestrians and poor turns or manoeuvres account for the next four contributing factors to accidents, making up a further 406 reported incidents.

A failure to look properly is the most common contributory factor for cyclists as well, followed by loss of control, which accounted for 138 and 69 of the assigned accidents reported.

Common misconceptions regarding cyclists wearing dark clothing at night, was only a factor in 19 cases.

Cycling Scotland said, “The official data helps us to challenge some of the myths about people on bikes, particularly about the causes of collisions and how to reduce the likelihood or severity of the collisions.” There is more to be done to reduce collisions and improve safety for all road users. Cycling Scotland said this can be achieved through a combination of engineering, education, and enforcement.