Cyclist Injuries

A Review of 2012 Casualties

Research Department, 6th August 2014

dars Um Shbhilteacht Ar Bhithre

Road Safety Authority
A review of cyclist
casualties in 2012

This report has been prepared by the

Research Department of the Road Safety
Authority in response to an increase in
cyclist injuries recorded in 2012.
The collision data included in this report is based on cyclist collisions that occurred on public
roads in Ireland in 2012 and were reported to An Garda Sochna, and these reports were
subsequently transferred to the Road Safety Authority for analysis.

CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES 1

 Summary of main findings
In 2012 there was a 59% increase in the number of cyclists
injured on Irish roads. A total of 630 cyclists were injured, the
highest number in the last 10 years. By contrast, there was a
decline in cyclist fatalities in 2012 (down from 9 to 8).
The 2011 CSO Census Report has indicated that cycling is most
popular among men, also in Dublin rather than in any other
county. It noted a 9.6% increase in the number of people
cycling to work between 2006 and 2011.
Three quarters of cyclists injured in 2012 were male, while over
half were aged 25-49.
The evening and morning rush-hour, followed by lunchtime, are
the times of day when cyclists are most likely to be injured.
The months May through to September represent the most
dangerous months of the year for cyclists to be injured on
our roads.
Over 4 in 10 cyclists who were injured in 2012 were cycling
for leisure purposes at the time of the collision, while almost
1 in 10 were cycling to/from work.
Over 8 in 10 cyclist injuries occurred in built up, rather than
in rural areas. Over half of cyclists injured in 2012 were
injured when cycling in Dublin, by far the most dangerous
county for cyclists.
The most dangerous manoeuvres taken by drivers include right
turns, followed by left turns. These manoeuvres by drivers
account for almost 4 in 10 injuries to cyclists.
Almost half of cyclists injured in 2012 were injured at
junctions, with T-junctions representing the most
dangerous type of junction.
Three quarters of cyclists injured in 2012 were injured
in daylight hours of good visibility.

2 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Context: growing
popularity of cycling

Cycling is well known to be cheap, causes

little pollution, and sustains health but
cyclists are at risk of road traffic injuries
from other road users.1
According to the Central Statistics Office 2011 Census Report, there was a 9.6% increase in the
number of people cycling to work between 2006 and 2011 (nationally), rising from 36,306 to
39,803. A further 21,374 people cycled to school or college in 2011. The 2011 census report
showed men accounted for the majority (75%) of those cycling: 45,810 of the total of 61,177
cyclists were male.2% of the Irish population cycled to work or school in 2011 (see Figure 1
below).

In 2011, 5% of all road users injured on the road were cyclists (see figure 2 overleaf). Injuries
among cyclists are therefore disproportionately high relative to the cycling population.

Figure 1: Means of travel (%), 2011 census

Car Driver 43%

Car Passenger 19%
On Foot 16%
Bus, Minibus or Coach 11%
Other Means (incl. Lorry or Van) 5%
Train, DART or LUAS 3%
Bicycle 2%
Motorcycle or Scooter 0.4%

0 10 20 30 40 50

1. British Medical Association, 1992. Cycling: Towards Health and Safety. Wiley-Blackwell.

World Health Organization, 2013. Quantifying the health benefits of cycling and walking. http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/
health-topics/disease-prevention/physical activity/activities/quantifying-the-health-benefits-of-cycling-and-walking.

CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES 3

 Trends in injuries among cyclists
Prior to 2012, cyclist injuries represented approximately 2%-5% of all road users injured annually.
In 2012, however, there was a marked increase in the number of cyclists injured, up from 395 to 630,
a 59% increase. Cyclists share of injuries (relative to other road user groups) increased from 5% in
2011 to 8% of all road users injured in 2012 (see figure 2a). This is the highest level of cyclist injuries
observed since 2003.

Figure 2a: Share of injuries by road user type, 2003-2012

100
9% 11% 13% 13% 11% 9% 8% 9% 9% 7% Other Road User
90 Car Users
80 Motorcyclists
Pedal Cyclists
70
Pedestrians
60 65% 66% 73% 70% 68% 68%
69% 68% 70% 71%
50
40
30
10% 4%
20 8%
5% 5% 5% 5% 4%
8%
4% 4% 6% 6% 3% 4% 5% 5%
2% 2% 3%
10 13% 12% 11% 11% 13% 13%
11% 11% 11% 12%
0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

The trend in the number of cyclists injured in collisions over the last 10 years is shown below.
There were 630 cyclists who were classified by An Garda Sochna as sustaining a minor/serious
injury in 2012.

Figure 2b: Trend in cyclist injuries, 2003-2012

700

600
All injuries

500

400

300

200

100

0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

4 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

As illustrated in Figure 2c, the number of cyclists killed annually over the last 10 years peaked in 2007
(15 deaths); but since then there has been a declining trend in number of fatalities occurring annually.
The number of serious injuries among cyclists declined in the period 2008 to 2010 but rose sharply in
2012, with almost 30 cyclists seriously injured in that year. (Note: An injury is deemed serious by the
Garda, and not a medical professional, at the scene of a collision. Serious injuries are underestimated,
and a proportion of minor injuries are likely to be serious.)

Figure 2c: Cyclist deaths/ serious injuries, 2003-2012

30
Serious Injuries
25

20

15

10

5 Killed
0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Gender and Age of Cyclist Casualties

(All injuries; minor & serious)
Three in four cyclists injured in 2012 were male (74%), while over half (57%) were aged 25-49 years as
illustrated in figure 3 below. Given the greater popularity of cycling among men (as per CSO), it stands
to reason that the greater majority of injury collisions also occur among men. Significantly more
males than females were injured in every age category.

Figure 3: 2012 cyclist injuries by age & gender

160
147
140
Male
120
Female
101
100

80
62 56 62
60 48 46
40
19 21
13 12
9 4 10 0
20
3
0
0-9 10-16 17-24 25-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Unknown

CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES 5

 When cyclists were injured
Cyclist injuries peaked during May through to September. Over half (54%) of cyclists injured in 2012
were injured during these months.

Figure 4: 2012 cyclist injuries by month

90
80
79
70
72
60 68
62 62 60
50 53
40
41
30 36 34 36
20 27
10
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

More cyclist injuries occurred mid-week than on the weekend, most likely reflecting commuting
patterns to and from work/school and habitual cycling routines.

Figure 5: 2012 cyclist injuries by day of week

120

114
100 107
95
80 89
83
60
73 69
40

20

0
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat

6 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Time of day
The greatest number of cyclist injuries occurred in the evening rush hour between 17.00 and 19.00
(21%), but peaks were also observed early morning from 8am to 9am, and at lunchtime between
13.00 and 15.00.

Figure 6: 2012 cyclist injuries by hour

70 66 64
60 56
50 45 45
42
40 36 35 36 35 37
30
23 25
22
20
14 15 15
10
9
5
2 1 2
0
00:00
01:00
02:00
03:00
04:00
05:00
06:00
07:00
08:00
09:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
18:00
19:00
20:00
22:00
23:00
00:00

Light conditions
The vast majority (75%) of Figure 7: 2012 cyclist injuries by Light Conditions
cyclist injuries occurred in Dark/
daylight hours with good No Lighting
Unknown
visibility. Fewer than a quarter
of injuries occurred in any type Dark Road/
1% 3%
of poor lighting conditions. Poorly Lighted

4%
Dark Road/
Well Lighted
Daylight/
Poor Visibility 13%
4%
Daylight/
Good Visibility

75%

CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES 7

 Trip purpose
There was limited information available on the purpose of the trip of the cyclists who were injured
in 2012. Where the purpose was stated, over 4 in 10 cyclists (44%) stated that they were cycling for
leisure purposes when the collision occurred. Almost 1 in 10 (8%) were travelling to/from work, with
a minority stating they were travelling to/from home (2%) or to/from school (1%). In case of almost
half of the collisions, trip purpose was unknown.

Figure 8: 2012 cyclist injuries by trip purpose

To/From
School To/From
To/From 1% Home

8%
Work
2%

Other Leisure

Unknown/
Not Stated
44%
45%

8 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Vehicle manoeuvres of drivers
In the vast majority of cases, cyclists were injured due to a collision with another vehicle. Where
another vehicle was involved, over 8 in 10 (83%) of the cyclists injured in 2012 were injured due to a
collision with a car while 1 in 10 (10%) were injured due to a collision with a goods vehicle.

Figure 9: 2012 cyclist injuries by vehicles involved in two vehicle collisions

Base: All cyclists injured in two vehicle collisions (n=586)

Pedal Cycle / Car 83%

Pedal Cycle / Goods 10%
Pedal Cycle / Other-unknown 3%
Pedal Cycle / PSV 2%
Pedal Cycle / Motor Cycle 1%
0 20 40 60 80 100

An analysis of the manoeuvres taken by drivers at the time of the collision shows that the most
dangerous manoeuvres for cyclists in 2012 were a right turn taken by a driver (responsible for 1 in
5 injuries), followed by a left turn taken by a driver (1 in 6 injuries). Entering/exiting junctions and
taking avoidance actions also represent high risk driver actions for vulnerable cyclists as illustrated
in Figure 10.

Figure 10: 2012 cyclist injuries by manoeuvres of drivers involved

Base: All cyclists injured where driver manoeuvre is specified (n=486)

Turning Right 21%

Turning Left 15%
Exiting / Entering 7%
Taking Avoidance Action 4%
Attempting to Overtake 2%
Changing Lanes 1%
Reversing 1%
Other 50%

0 10 20 30 40 50

Note: there was insufficient information available to report on the manoeuvres taken by cyclists
at the time of the collision.

CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES 9

 Location
Over 8 in 10 (83%) cyclists injured were injured in collisions occurring in urban or built-up areas; and
almost 9 in 10 (88%) occurred on two way single carriageways.

Figure 11: 2012 cyclist injuries by urban/rural

Rural
17%

Built-Up
83%

Figure 12: 2012 cyclist injuries by road type

Dual
One-Way Carriageway
Single
Carriageway 3%
9%

Two-Way Single
Carriageway

88%

10 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Junction type
Almost half (49%) of cyclists injured in 2012 were injured in collisions occurring at a junction; where the
junction type was specified, it appears that T-junctions are the most dangerous junction types for cyclist
injuries (52% of collisions at junctions occurred at this junction type), followed by cross-roads and roundabouts.

Figure 13: 2012 cyclist injuries by junction type

Base: All cyclists injured where junction of collisions is specified (n=308)

T Junction 52%
Crossroads 24%
Roundabout 18%
Complex Junction 4%
Y Junction 2%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Injury breakdown by county

Just over half (53%) of cyclists injured in 2012 were injured in a collision occurring in Dublin. The capital
represents by far the greatest proportion of injury collisions involving cyclists, as other major urban
centres such as Cork, Galway and Limerick represent a much smaller proportion of injury collisions.

According to the 2011 census report, 6% of those living in Dublin cycle to work (see Figure 16 appendix).
However, given that 17% of those injured on our roads in Dublin in 2012 were cyclists (figure 15
appendix), this indicates that cyclists in Dublin are over-represented in injury figures by almost a factor
of three. Cycling is therefore a particularly dangerous mode of travel in Dublin per cyclist population.

Figure 14: 2012 cyclist injuries by county

Dublin 53%
Cork 7%
Galway 5%
Limerick 4%
Louth 4%
Kildare 3%
Kerry 3%
Other 21%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Note: see table 1 in appendix for full county breakdown

CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES 11

 Appendix
Figure 15: Share of injuries by road user type and county in 2012
1%
Dublin 17% 6% 20% 53% 3% Cyclists
Motorcyclists
Cork 6% 6% 14% 67% 6 Pedestrians
Car Users
Galway 7% 3% 11% 71% 1% 7%
PSV
Limerick 6% 2% 13% 71% 7% Other

Louth 7% 2% 11% 72% 1%6%

Kildare 7% 3% 10% 73% 7%

Kerry 7% 5% 9% 72% 6%

Other 4% 3% 9% 75% 8%

0 20 40 60 80 100

Figure 16: % share of means of travelled to work by main population centres in 2011 (census data)
1% 1% 1%
Aggregate Rural Area 5% 75% 4% 12%
1%
Remainder of Urban Area 12% 4% 3% 67% 6% 6%
2%
Waterford City & Suburbs 14% 3% 67% 8% 4%

Galway City & Suburbs 17% 5% 6% 62% 6% 4%

2%
Limerick City & Suburbs 16% 4% 66% 6% 4%

Cork City & Suburbs 15% 2% 6% 1% 65% 6% 4%

Dublin City & Suburbs 14% 6% 14% 8% 1% 51% 3%3%

0 20 40 60 80 100

On Foot
Bicycle
Bus, Minibus or Coach
Train, DART or LUAS
Motorcycle or Scooter
Car Driver
Car Passenger
Van

12 CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES

Table 1: 2012 cyclist injuries by county
County Injuries %

Carlow 1 0
Cavan 1 0
Clare 13 2
Cork 46 7
Donegal 7 1
Dublin 335 53
Galway 33 5
Kerry 17 3
Kildare 19 3
Kilkenny 8 1
Laois 11 2
Limerick 25 4
Longford 3 0
Louth 24 4
Mayo 5 1
Meath 13 2
Monaghan 2 0
Offaly 6 1
Roscommon 6 1
Sligo 5 1
Tipperary 7 1
Waterford 12 2
Westmeath 10 2
Wexford 6 1
Wicklow 15 2
TOTAL 630 100

CYCLIST INJURIES: A REVIEW OF 2012 CASUALTIES 13

14
Working to Save Lives

dars Um Shbhilteacht Ar Bhithre

Road Safety Authority
Pirc Ghn Ghleann na Muaidhe, Cnoc an tSabhaircn, Bthar Bhaile tha Cliath, Bal an tha, Co. Mhaigh Eo.
Moy Valley Business Park, Primrose Hill, Dublin Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo.

locall: 1890 50 60 80 tel: (096) 25 002 / (096) 25 050 fax: (096) 25 002 / (096) 25 252
email: info@rsa.ie website: www.rsa.ie