More cyclists hurt on roads

THE number of cyclists seriously injured on Scotland’s roads is at its highest level in a decade.

Official figures revealed 171 were badly hurt in accidents in 2017, a 16 per cent increase on the previous year’s 148.

But the number of cyclists killed on the roads has fallen. Five died in 2017, three fewer than in the previous year.

More pedestrians died, however, with the figure rising from 32 to 38.

The Transport Scotland statistics found the number of people injured or killed in all road accidents was the lowest ever, with 9,428 casualties in 2017 compared to 10,905 in 2016.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: ‘While we welcome the statistics which show that casualties on Scotland’s roads are at the lowest levels since records began, we want our roads to be even safer, particularly in relation to the increase in serious injuries involving cyclists.

‘The Scottish Government has invested over £1million in training courses to help keep cyclists safe.’ John Lauder, national director of cycling and walking charity Sustrans Scotland, said: ‘With a 21 per cent increase in the number of cyclists since 2007, we expected an increase in cyclists seriously injured, but that does not make these figures any less sad or disappointing.

‘We need to make our roads as safe as possible, which is why we support a 20mph norm on residential streets. We also want to see rural roads made much more conducive to all forms of transport.’