An awareness campaign launched by staff working in QEHB’s Accident and Emergency Department has seen positive results in just twelve weeks.

The Cycle Safe campaign, launched in August 2012 after an increase in the number of seriously injured cyclists, sparked concern amongst the hospital’s staff. It aims to raise public awareness on cycle safety and help to reduce injuries.

As part of the Trust’s Cycle Safe campaign, QEHB teamed up with Halfords and the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to help staff and visitors stay safe on the roads, through distributing information leaflets and holding cycle clinics.

Three months on, the number of cyclists attending the Accident and Emergency department has fallen by almost 40 percent.

Although the number of cyclists on the roads reduces during the autumn and winter periods as people switch to their cars, changes in weather conditions and the on-set of darker nights does mean however, the casualty rate (in terms of miles travelled) is higher. 

Almost two thirds of cyclists killed or seriously injured are involved in collisions at, or near, a road junction, with T junctions being the most commonly involved. Tour de France winner and Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins was injured last week by a car pulling out of an entrance.

Margaret Garbett, the Trust’s Matron for A&E, said: “Over the summer we saw a huge number of accidents and some very serious injuries including four fatalities.

“We set out to actively encourage our staff and the public to keep safe because the majority of those patients involved were not wearing protective equipment or high-visibility clothing.

“Thankfully the number of injuries is starting to fall, which is great, however there is still a long way to go.

“We hope that cyclists will take sensible precautions such as wearing helmets and high-visibility clothing and in particular kit their bikes out with bright lights. We also hope that motorists will look out for cyclists on the roads and take extra care this winter.”

For more information on how to cycle safely, please visit the cycle safety page.