While it’d be a reach to say any type of road user is particularly well-liked or respected on British roads, it’s fair to say cyclists are far from the most popular folk on there. Whether it’s whistling through red lights, pavement hopping or taking up more than “their share” of road, the average two-wheeled traveller has plenty of negative stereotypes to contend with – but how true are they in the grand scheme of things or, more specifically, the wonderful city of Sheffield?
According to medical negligence and claims experts, the answer is perhaps a little more worrying than most of us would like. Their study, which looked into the state of cycling safety and accidents, revealed a number of eye-opening statistics, some of which don’t make great reading for those in South Yorkshire.
How well do you know the highway code?
For most of us, the highway code was something we probably last looked over in preparation of our driving theory tests, never to be touched again afterwards. Interestingly though, it has been reviewed fairly recently to protect vulnerable road users, namely pedestrians and cyclists.
The changes, made in 2018, included introducing a “road user hierarchy” and brought in new rules that afforded cyclists more space on the road when being overtaken. Seemingly positive news, then, but how many cyclists actually know about these changes that are designed to protect them?
The numbers
The results are in and, as far as Sheffield is concerned, the stats suggest we aren’t the best when it comes to knowing our stuff with the highway code and its key safety points:
- 59% of Sheffield cyclists aren’t familiar with the changes in highway code regulations, particularly the “road user hierarchy”, which ensures that road users who can do the greatest harm carry the greatest responsibility to reduce the threat of danger.
- 41% of Sheffield cyclists are unable to correctly identify the elements of the highway code that relate to cyclist safety.
- 71% of Sheffield cyclists are unaware they have to leave plenty of room when passing parked cars, and watch out for opening doors or crossing pedestrians.
- 53% of Sheffield cyclists didn’t know they shouldn’t ride on the pavement.
A matter of opinion – but a dangerous one
We’ve seen the local knowledge of the highway code, or lack thereof, but, perhaps more importantly, what do cyclists think they should and shouldn’t be able to do? The study also revealed a number of opinions held by a significant portion of Sheffield-based cyclists:
- Almost half (47%) don’t think they need to ensure their brakes are working before they head out on their bike.
- Almost half (47%) don’t think they must obey all traffic signs and light signals.
- Over a third (35%) don’t think a helmet should be compulsory when riding on the road.
- Over half (59%) think they should be allowed to ride more than two abreast on UK roads.
The takeaways
From the statistics provided, it’s difficult to be anything other than concerned about the state of cycling in the city. With many potentially dangerous practices being met with around 50% approval and a clear lack of awareness in relation to the highway code, it’s clear there is a distinct divide in approach by cyclists that presents a problem to all road users.
In Sheffield at least, then, it appears that the usual stereotypes surrounding cyclists have some grounding. However, just remember: for every “bad apple”, there appears to be a good one, too. Our best bet is to hold ourselves personally responsible for our behaviour on the roads, whether we’re on foot, in the car or on the bike, and hope everyone else follows suit soon.
