New data released by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has confirmed the sheer scale of cycling crashes in the Republic that leave cyclists with serious injuries. While some of the details of fatal crashes are released by the Garda and reported by the media, those incidents that result in serious injury rather than death almost always go unreported.
However, the RSA has now released the full details of serious crash trends involving cyclists, including the fact that nine per cent of those collisions involve hit and run drivers. Cyclists are also much more likely to be seriously injured in a crash between Monday and Thursday and between the hours of 4pm and 8pm.
That data apparently confirms evening rush hour is the most dangerous time, aside from Friday when traffic trends change as more people leave work early to travel home. The most common cause of crashes when cyclists were seriously injured was the failure of the driver of the vehicle to observe the cyclists; some 38 per cent of cases attributed to such lapses by drivers.
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For the purposes of this research, a "serious injury" crash is one for which the person is detained in hospital as an in-patient, or suffers any of the following injuries whether or not detained in hospital: fractures, concussion, internal injuries, crushing, severe cuts and lacerations, severe general shock requiring medical treatment.
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The RSA's research has found between 2016-2021 there was an average of 239 people seriously injured while cycling each year, or 25 such incidents for every fatal cycling crash recorded during the same period. Other findings included:
- Some 77 per cent of people seriously injured while cycling were male
- The highest proportion - 30 per cent - of serious injuries occurred between 4pm and 8pm
- 62 per cent of serious injuries occurred Monday to Thursday
- The highest proportions of serious injuries occurred in July (11 per cent) and Sept (11 per cent)
- Some 80 per cent of serious injuries occurred on urban roads
- Almost half of serious injuries occurred at a junction (46 per cent), most commonly a T-junction or crossroads
- 8 in 10 serious injuries were a result of multi-vehicle collisions which most commonly involved a car (76 per cent)
“Everyone using the roads has an equal responsibility to ensure good road user behaviour and to protect vulnerable road users, including people who cycle," said Sam Waide, RSA chief executive. "The research published today is very worrying and highlights a concerning disregard for people who cycle.
"In particular, the hit and run figure is shocking and shows a complete lack of respect for life. The RSA would like to remind motorists to look out for cyclists by allowing the required space when overtaking them and ensuring to check their blind spot at junctions and changing lanes.
"It is important to always anticipate a cyclist having to make a sudden move to avoid obstructions. We all have a responsibility, whether as motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians to share the road in a safe and responsible manner and we’d like to thank Imogen for sharing her life-saving message here today.”
