CTC, the national cyclists’ organisation, has just published a really interesting report that corroborates the oft-quoted wisdom that cycling gets safer the more people do it.

Countries in Europe with high levels of cycle use tend to be less risky for cyclists. In Denmark, people cycle over 900 kilometres a year and it is a far safer country to cycle in than Portugal, where barely 30 km is covered by each person by bike annually.

The CTC’s research suggests that a doubling of cycling would lead to a reduction in the risks of cycling by around a third, i.e. the increase in cycle use is far higher than the increase in cyclist casualties. KSI – “killed and seriously injured” – is the emergency services’ charming definition of a casualty.

There are plenty of examples to show that steep increases in cycling can go with reductions in cycle casualties. London has seen a 91 per cent increase in cycling since 2000 and a 33 per cent fall in cycle casualties since 1994–98. This means that cycling in the city is 2.9 times safer than it was previously.

In a league table of 108 local authorities, York has the fewest cyclist KSIs (10 in 10,000 cycle commuters) and the highest percentage of cycle commuters (12 per cent). The worst place for cycling in the UK is Calderdale, with a shocking 158 KSIs for every 10,000 cycle commuters and the lowest percentage of cycle commuters (0.8 per cent).

Oxfordshire fares better than Cambridgeshire: although we have fewer cycle commuters (seven per cent to Cambridgeshire’s nine per cent) , we suffer fewer KSIs (19 compared with Cambridgeshire’s 22 KSIs).

They reckon that the safety in numbers effect has three main causes: 1: Drivers have a greater awareness and experience of driving among cyclists.

2: Drivers are more likely to be cyclists as well, or to have family members or work colleagues who cycle, which makes them likelier to be considerate and understanding.

3: More cyclists leads to more political will to improve conditions for cyclists.

As regards cause (3), we’ll have to hope the powers that be will notice us. Related to this, there’s a motion tabled by Gwynn Prosser MP urging the road safety strategy to work towards reducing the factors that deter people from cycling in order to boost numbers of cyclists and thus increase their safety.

People can ask their MP to sign this early day motion through the CTC site at ww.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=5236.

As for (1) and (2), Bike Week 2009 (June 13–21 is nigh. Time to prise yourself, your family and friends, out of your stuffy cars and onto two wheels.

In the city, Cyclox has organised nine different rides all themed as “escapes from the city”. There are rides out to the windmill at Brill, west to the Windrush valley and Eynsham, south to Abingdon, and north to Tackley. They’re all about 3–4 hours long, are fairly easy, and are suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities. See cyclox.org.

The City Council has organised an online Sustainable Transport / Cycling Quiz, open to all (June 15) plus a week of cycling activities, and if you’re outside the city, pretty much every market town has a day or (in the case of Witney) a whole week of cycling fun. Get out on your bike next week – it’s the safest way.

For more information, see:

* national cycling organisation: ctc.org.uk/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=5225). bike week events: bikeweek.org.uk/event_search.php.

* cyclox.org