Bicycle accident warning for holidaymakers

Cycling holidays are apparently the new in-thing. According to Mintel statistics, the number of bicycling holidays went up 30% between 2005 and 2007. In 2006, 450,000 of us opted to enjoy our summer holidays and weekend breaks on two wheels, rather than the almost-obligatory four which have dominated our lives for so long.

Whilst this marks a dramatic turn from tradition, it isn't particularly surprising considering that, as well as being a popular leisure activity for many thousands of Brits, cycling also addresses two of the biggest topics currently on people's minds: being green and getting fit. More and more people are choosing to cycle to work rather than take the car and it makes sense that some would carry this over into their holiday time too.

Some people are choosing to cycle round France, whilst others are staying closer to home and taking their bikes around the peaceful country lanes of rural counties or making the endurance run between London and Penzance. Listening to people enthusing about their cycling holidays, it seems that half the joy of them is that you have complete flexibility about your journey. Those who love the outdoors aspect of cycling can camp overnight wherever they lay their cycle helmet, whilst others who want to rest their weary bones in comfort can plan to stay overnight at B&Bs.

However, whilst we are all pedalling away in an effort to tone our thighs and cut our carbon emissions, could our recently-found penchant for cycling pose be putting us in danger? The UK's roads are getting busier and busier, and cyclists are amongst the most vulnerable of all road users. Nearly every cyclist has a tale to tell about their most recent near-miss, or for the unfortunate ones, the personal injuries they sustained in their most recent bicycle accident.

Would-be holiday cyclists often think that taking the minor roads is altogether safer and more sensible than going down the main roads. However, the sobering statistic that 62% of cycling accidents take place on minor roads might sway their judgement. Both the fact that motorists often drive too fast down windy country lanes and that these roads tend to be bumpy and potholed play a part in this higher bicycle accident rate.

Even those who choose to cycle on the continent are not protected from the risk of a road traffic accident. Unfamiliar road regulations coupled with the fact that many EU countries have a worse road safety record than the UK mean that a holidaymakers' weekend break could turn into a much less enjoyable type of break after a cycling accident.

The number of serious personal injuries and deaths sustained in bicycle accidents has been steadily falling in the UK for a number of years. However, with millions of us getting behind the handlebars again for our holidays, we could start to see the numbers rise once more.

That all said, thousands of people have a fantastic time on cycling holidays, exploring quiet lanes and tracks across the countryside. It is just important to take a few sensible precautions to ensure that you come back in one piece:

- Don your helmet as A&E statistics reveal that you are half as likely to suffer a head injury in a bike accident if you are wearing some head protection. This is especially important advice for children, as younger riders are much more likely to have a cycle accident than adults.

- Swot up on the Highway Code and other road rules, especially if you are visiting another country. Knowing where you do and where you do not have right of way is vital to keeping safe on the roads.

- Ride with care as you are bound to have a bicycle accident sooner or later if you hurtle round bends and down hills as if you are in the Tour de France. Take extra care on off road tracks because whilst there is unlikely to be any other traffic to worry about, the ground still won't be very forgiving if you hit a stone or a pothole.

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