Figures show the number of cyclists injured on the roads around Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth

The number of cyclists injured on our roads has fallen for the second year in a row.

But a leading charity is urging local authorities across the UK to improve their cycling infrastructure to cut road deaths and injuries as more people take to their bikes due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In the Warwick district, 34 cyclists were injured during 2019 - this is a fall from 49 in 2018 and 62 in 2017.

In total, there has been a 35 drop in the number of cycling casualties in the district from 2016 to 2019, according to figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

FIGURES FOR THE WARWICK DISTRICT

Total number of cycling casualties 2016: 52

Total number of cycling casualties 2017: 62

Total number of cycling casualties 2018: 49

Total number of cycling casualties 2019: 34

Number of cyclists killed in 2019: 1

Number of cyclists seriously injured in 2019: 7

Number of cyclists slightly injured in 2019: 26

Total number of cycling casualties 2019: 34

% change in the number of cycling casualties from 2016 to 2019: -35%

Total casualties from 2016 to 2019: 197

Number of cycling casualties per 100,000 people in 2019: 24

FIGURES FOR THE UK

Figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) analysed by the JPIMedia Data Unit reveal 410 cyclists have been killed in the UK since 2016.

While the overall number of casualties has fallen every year since 2016, the number seriously injured has increased by 9%.

Last year 102 cyclists lost their lives, nearly 4,000 were seriously injured and over 3,000 were slightly injured.

Only incidents reported to police are included, while figures prior to 2016 cannot be compared as many police forces changed their definition of a serious injury.

The average age of casualty was 36 last year, with the vast majority of victims being men.

Daisy Narayanan, director of urbanism at walking and cycling charity Sustrans, said safety is a key barrier to more people taking up cycling.

“While cycling is a relatively safe activity, we need to continue to make our streets safer for people who cycle and to increase people’s perception of safety,” Ms Narayanan said.

“In order to ensure cycling safety across the board, we need strong leadership in walking and cycling at the local level.

“Local authorities should work to create safer, better streets and places through the implementation of protected cycle routes and low traffic neighbourhoods, whilst taking into account the local context.”

The UK Government said it is investing billions to make cycling safer.

A spokesperson said: “We’re investing an unprecedented £2 billion to support cycling and walking over the next five years, including for safe, high-quality infrastructure, and proposing changes to The Highway Code to further protect cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.”

"While deaths make up just 1% of all cycling casualties in Scotland, a spokesperson for Transport Scotland said that “one life lost on our roads is one too many”.