BMJ 1994;308:1534-1537 (11 June)

Papers

Deaths of cyclists in London 1985-92: the hazards of road traffic

K Gilbert, M McCarthy 

Public Health, Camden and Islington Health Authority, London NW1 2LJ Correspondence to: Dr McCarthy.

Abstract

Objective : To determine the characteristics of cyclists and vehicles involved in fatal cycling accidents.
Design : Analysis of data routinely collected by police for each accident from January 1985 to December 1992 and held in a national master file (Stats 19) by the Department of Transport.
Setting : Greater London, which comprises inner London (12 boroughs and the City of London) and outer London (20 boroughs).
Subjects : 178 cyclists who died (78 in inner London and 100 in outer London; age range 3-88).
Main outcome measures : Associations between characteristics of cyclists, type of vehicle involved, and place of accident.
Results : Motor vehicles were involved in 173 deaths. Heavy goods vehicles were involved in 75 deaths (30/100 (30%) in outer London and 45/78 (58%) in inner London); cars in 74 (54/100) (54%) in outer London and 20/78 (26%) in inner London); light goods vehicles in 12/178 (7%); and buses in 6/178 (3%). Thirty five of the people who died were children aged <=16. Female cyclists were especially at risk from heavy goods vehicles in inner London (22 deaths), while male cyclists were especially at risk from cars in outer London (50 deaths).
Discussion : Cyclists who died in urban areas are more likely to be adults than children. In inner London, in relation to their traffic volume, heavy goods vehicles are estimated to cause 30 times as many cyclists' deaths as cars and five times as many as buses. Until the factors leading to this excess risk are understood, a ban on heavy goods vehicles in urban areas should be considered.

Clinical implications

  • Clinical implications

  • Cycling is healthy and should be encouraged, but the dangers to cyclists need to be reduced

  • Most studies of cycling accidents and their prevention have described the victim rather than the cause of the accident

  • Almost all cyclists' deaths in London are due to collision with motor vehicles, especially heavy goods vehicles

  • Primary prevention of accidents involving cyclists could be achieved by reducing dangers from high risk vehicles


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This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Hamilton, R. J, Stott, J. R. (2004). Cycling: the risks. Trauma 6: 161-168 [Abstract]  
  • Roberts, I (2004). Injury and globalisation. Inj. Prev. 10: 65-66 [Full text]  
  • Wardlaw, M. J (2000). Three lessons for a better cycling future. BMJ 321: 1582-1585 [Full text]  
  • Towner, E., Ward, H. (1998). Prevention of injuries to children and young people: the way ahead for the UK. Inj. Prev. 4: S17-25 [Full text]  
  • Keatinge, R, Wachtel, A (1994). Cycle helmets Deter people from cycling. BMJ 309: 541a-542 [Full text]  
  • Evans, L (1994). Cycle helmets and the law. BMJ 308: 1521-1522 [Full text]  

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