COUNTY council bosses are committed to creating new ‘cycle super routes’ across Oxford which should make life safer for cyclists as it will help to keep them away from traffic-filled streets.

But there are times when cyclists can not avoid venturing out on to the main roads, and the poor state of some roads in the county is making life for them a lot less safe.

According to data revealed from a Freedom of Information request, the number of accidents involving cyclists in Oxfordshire last year rose to its highest number since 2004.

County fire chiefs responsible for road safety campaigns say they believe the rise is due to an increase in the number of people getting on their bikes.

And The local authority insists poor or defective road surfaces do not feature as a “significant factor” in accidents involving cyclists.

But Campaign group Cyclox does not agree.

It has suggested cyclists are having to keep one eye on the traffic and one eye on the roads in case they are about to run into any potholes.

Highways bosses spent almost £20m on road repairs last year, despite Government cuts.

Cyclox chairman Simon Hunt said the improvements for cyclists would be pointless if they were not coupled with regular road repairs and we can see the point he is trying to make.

As fast as the county council gets money from the Government it is spending it on road schemes, but it could also give out advice on the poor state of some roads when it carries out cycle safety initiatives.