This category comes under the broader category of ‘external’ causes of death and includes deaths to cyclists.

See also Map 22 Motor vehicle accidents and Map 41 Pedestrian hit by vehicle.

This cause of death is far more common for males than females. The geography for this cause of death shows that rates are higher in rural areas, which may be accounted for by narrow, unlit rural roads and a lack of cycle lanes.

These deaths can result from a variety of types of collision – with other road users such as cars, lorries or buses. Cyclists also collide with other cyclists, pedestrians or stationary objects (such as lamp posts or other street furniture). Accidents do not always happen on the road itself. Particularly for young children, collisions can occur when cars are reversing on private driveways and the child on the bicycle has not been seen in the rear view mirror (or the driver has not used their mirror). Many accidents also occur ‘off road’, on cycle tracks or mountain bike trails. Some accidents are classed as ‘noncollision’, more commonly referred to as ‘falling off’.

According to the Department for Transport, 10% of all accidents involving cyclists occur at roundabouts; pedal cycle fatal accident rates at roundabouts are 14 times those of cars. Often car drivers do not see bicycles as they focus on more frequent and (for them) major dangers. The design of roundabouts can improve the safety of cyclists as well as drivers. The first roundabout was constructed in Letchworth in 1910.

Bicycle helmets and cycle lanes are other strategies for improving safety for cyclists, although the effectiveness of both is debated.