HC Deb 06 December 1984 vol 69 cc251-2W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what specific steps are being taken by his Department to ensure that road designers and engineers are considering the needs of cyclists.

Mrs. Chalker

The Department undertakes research into cycle facilities and publishes information for the use of road designers and engineers. Local advice on individual schemes is available through the Department's regional offices.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many child cyclists under the age of 15 years were (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in road accidents in 1981, 1982, 1983 and to the nearest available date in 1984;

(2) how many cyclists were (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in road accidents in 1981, 1982, 1983 and to the nearest available date in 1984;

(3) what is the approximate number of cycling accidents which have occurred on (a) large roundabouts, (b) slip roads, and (c) busy main roads in the last three years.

Mrs. Chalker

The numbers of pedal cyclists killed and seriously injured in 1981, 1982 and 1983 and to the nearest available date in 1984 were:

1981 1982 1983 *1984
0 to 14 years
Killed 86 76 87 41
Seriously injured 2,010 1,982 2,200 1,021
All Ages
Killed 310 294 323 152
Seriously injured 5,194 5,673 6,073 2,766
* January to June (provisional figures).

The number of cycling accidents which occurred on large roundabouts—mini roundabouts are not included—slip roads and main roads—motorways, A(M) and A class roads—for the last three years were:

1981 1982 1983
Roundabouts 1,547 1,775 2,014
Slip roads 143 181 208
Main roads 10,929 12,508 12,995

Identifying busy main roads would involve disproportionate cost. An article on pedal cycle accidents is included on page 34 of "Road Accidents Great Britain 1983", a copy of which is in the Library.