Number of Cyclists Killed on Roads Increases

Department for Transport statistics revealed that the number of deaths and serious injuries to cyclists rose by 8% during the third quarter of 2012.

There was a similar increase in deaths and injuries to pedestrians, while traffic volumes increased by 0.2%.

As the UK's cycling capital, Manchester was shocked by these numbers.

"It looks like the motorised menaces are killing more an more vulnerable road users, even though the traffic volumes aren't increasing by the same amount," said one.  "It's as if drivers are trying harder to kill pedestrians and cyclists."

Anyway don't take our word for it, here are the stats:-

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/73228/road-accidents-and-safety-quarterly-estimates-q3-2012.pdf

While some newspapers have tried to make a spurious link to the Olympics, this is clearly not the case. Click here to view sloppy journalism the MEN would be proud of.  As the report states:-

"This is largely due to substantial increases in reported accidents for all three vulnerable road user groups in 2011 Q4 and 2012 Q1, relative to 2010 Q4 and 2011 Q1, resulting in an overall increase across the rolling year."

So don't blame innocent cyclists Metro News.  We've got our eye on you, and once we've finished taking down the MEN, you're next.