HAMPSHIRE authorities have responded to recent data placing the area as the second worst for cycling accidents in the UK since 2012.
Hampshire came second to Surrey, with a total of 4145 casualties accumulated over the past 10 years according to company GTSE.
But the council has emphasised that the county is proportionately large and the authority is continuing to prioritise road safety.
Similarly, Hampshire police thought the initial data misleading as when population is taken into account the county moves down to 153rd, based on the number of casualties per 1000 people.
Chief inspector Chris Spellerberg of the joint operations roads policing unit listed efforts towards reducing cycling accidents including changes in the hierarchy of road users in the Highway Code, campaigns and the focus of roads policing officers.
The chief inspector said: “The number of collisions involving cyclists in Hampshire has steadily decreased since 2016, showing the how collective efforts through education, engineering and enforcement can make a difference.
“We urge all road users to take extra care this winter, drive according to the road, traffic and weather and to take necessary precautions for the conditions we expect this time of year.”
The council’s executive lead member for transport and environment strategy, Cllr Edward Heron said: “We have seen significant increases in the numbers of cyclists in Hampshire recently.
"For years, the county council has prioritised road safety education and measures, particularly where there is evidence that they will reduce casualties. This focus has historically served Hampshire well with a generally declining trend in the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on Hampshire roads.
“Our road safety engineers routinely analyse accident data to identify locations where safety can be improved through with a focus on measures needed for the safety of cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.”
To reduce cycling accidents Cycleplan and GTSE advise lowering tyre pressure in the winter to increase grip, checking brake pads and stopping distances and using cable ties. For more information go to gtse.co.uk/blog/10-worst-uk-areas-for-cycling-accidents.
Meanwhile, Hampshire County Council has received £4.9m from the Government’s Active Travel Fund. The funding is being used for a range of measures to create better spaces for walking and cycling in local communities.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here