Collisions involving cyclists in Greater Glasgow sees increase

Additional cycling lanes have been installed since May as part of the council’s Spaces for People scheme to provide more space for social distancing.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Police Scotland revealed there were 68 crashes involving cyclists across Greater Glasgow between May and September 2020, an increase of 21 compared to the same period in 2019.

The number of accidents in August has seen a staggering rise at almost triple the number of incidents reported in 2019 with a total of 14 reported incidents.

July was the only month in the compared period to be lower in 2020, with one more accident taking place in 2019.

But the number of serious crashes in July 2020 was still higher than those in 2019 at six and four respectively.

READ MORE: Clyde-side pop-up cycle lane sees Glasgow cyclists triple

“Cycling should not be just for the brave,” said Thomas Cornwallis, co-convenor of Go Bike.

Thomas Cornwallis, Go Bike

“No matter who is at fault this is someone’s life, and someone’s life needs to be protected.

“We need to be doing more. These figures going up show that more people are getting injured.

“As more people get on their bikes, we need to be doing more to ensure that number is not going upwards.”

The rise in incidents comes alongside a rise in the general number of cyclists around Glasgow, with one of the additional lanes prompting the number of cyclists on the city centre road to triple.

While the Greater Glasgow data covers areas falling under other local authorities, the Space for People initiative is greatly responsible for the rise in cycling in Glasgow.

The number of cyclists on Clyde Street has increased by 199% in August this year compared to August 2019.

He added that with the rise in cyclists we should be doing more to ensure their safety to aim for a “vision zero in Glasgow”.

The Go Bike co-convenor said: “More cyclists will likely mean there will be more incidents.

“But it does show that currently, our city doesn’t have much and it does seem like a massive improvement when you see stuff like Clyde Street and all these pop ups in London Road but it sort of reminds us of how little we had at first.

“I am hurting to see the crash statistics in Glasgow.”

READ MORE: City centre pop-up cycle lanes see cyclists triple - but improvements are still needed

The FOI revealed there were no fatal crashes within the period in 2020 compared to a single fatality in May 2019.

However, the number of serious crashes in 2020 were higher during each respective month with more of the collision in 2019 being classed as slight.

Scotland’s national cycling organisation has emphasised that infrastructure should prioritise separating cycle lanes from traffic.

Denise Hamilton, head of communications for Cycling Scotland said: “Cycling casualties are increasing in line with increases in people cycling, and, while the likelihood of being killed or seriously injured while cycling is relatively low, it’s completely unacceptable that anyone is being killed or seriously injured on our roads.

“The number one priority to make cycling safer is cycle paths separate from traffic.”

“This year, many local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, used Scottish Government funding to install temporary cycling lanes but we still have a long way to go to create the network of permanent, dedicated cycling paths needed to ensure people can cycle safely.

Ms Hamilton emphasised drivers should also be held responsible for dangerous practices. 

She said: “Police action against dangerous driving behaviour is also key to cycling safety. 

“Our Give Cycle Space campaign makes drivers aware of the legal consequences of close passing  people on bikes – three points on a driving licence and the potential for a fine, based on our research that showed this would have the biggest impact on driver behaviour.

“People driving need to give people on bikes at least 1.5 metres when passing and even more space at higher speeds.”