8 Most Dangerous Roads for Cyclists in the UK

Every year, thousands of keen cyclists travel the globe to cycle on new unexplored roads, including those in the UK. This article will point out the eight most dangerous roads in the UK for cyclists.

8 Most Dangerous Roads for Cyclists in the UK

In the UK, around 7.5 million people enjoy cycling on a regular basis, either as transport or for leisure. With soaring fuel prices, this figure is likely to increase in 2022. 

While cycling can be great fun and an excellent form of exercise, the downside is that there are thousands of cycling accidents on British roads every year, including over 100 fatalities.

So that you don’t become just another number, we have listed the most dangerous cycling roads around the UK to be aware of. Take a look…

1. Upper Thames Street, London

As you might expect, the largest number of cycling accidents occur in England’s capital. Despite endeavors such as the Central London Congestion Zone and an increase in pedestrianised areas, London still reports large numbers of cycling accidents on a daily basis.

Figures show that the largest number of fatal accidents occur in the area close to Temple underground station at Victoria Embankment. There are approximately 28 fatal accidents in this busy traffic hotspot every year. 

Victoria Embankment, particularly Upper Thames Street, is also the site of some 1,820 serious cycling accidents every year.

2. Lower Ashley Road B4051, Bristol

In the southwest of England, Bristol has a population of 457,099 people and is a popular cycling hotspot. The Lower Ashley Road (B4051) in the Montpelier area is an accident hotspot for cyclists, with four fatalities every year. 

The A4018, which connects Bristol City Centre with the M5 motorway at Cribbs Causeway, is also a road on which serious accidents occur, with around 103 cyclists suffering accidents which result in hospitalisation.

3. Holderness Road A1079, Hull

The Yorkshire city of Hull is a thriving metropolis and university hub which features lots of busy roads. There are approximately four fatal cycling accidents in Hull every year. The main blackspot is the A615, a busy A road in East Hull. 

In terms of serious accidents, Holderness Road on the A1079 is the scene of some 266 serious cycling accidents each year.

4. A6042 Ring Road, Manchester

Known as England’s second city, Manchester is known for its vibrant nightlife and its two famous football clubs. Manchester city center is usually incredibly busy and is a mass of bus lanes, cycle lanes and tram lines. 

There are around 210 serious cycling accidents in Manchester every year, with a large number of these occuring on the A56 close to Old Trafford. There are around eight fatal cycling accidents in Manchester each year, and these occur mostly on the A6042 Ring Road near Blackfriars.

5. Spaghetti Junction, Birmingham

Birmingham, in the West Midlands, is known for being home to the Spaghetti Junction. This is a term given to the Gravelly Hill Interchange at Junction 6 of the M6 motorway which feeds onto the A38 Aston Expressway. 

While Spaghetti Junction is certainly busy, the Alum Rock Road, which starts at Saltley Gate and ends at the Railway Bridge, is the scene of four cyclist deaths every year. 

Bath Row in the city centre reports around 193 serious cycling accidents every year resulting in hospitalisation or life changing injuries.

6. A700 Road, Edinburgh

Incredibly popular with tourists, Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city. Its combination of a vibrant city centre and stunning scenery makes it extremely popular with cyclists. 

Edinburgh’s Princes Street is the city’s main shopping street, and is responsible for five cycling deaths every year. The A700, close to Princes Street, encircles the city centre and usually sees around 144 serious cycling incidents a year. 

7. A4161 Road, Cardiff

The Welsh capital city of Cardiff is home to one of the UK’s most popular universities as well as being a major hub for commerce. Between 2.7 and 4.3 percent of Cardiff’s population choose to commute by bike, and there are two cycling fatalities every year on Cardiff’s busy Colchester Avenue. 

The majority of serious accidents in Cardiff (around 49 every year) occur on the A4161, which links the city centre with the M4 motorway.

8. Duke Road, Brighton

An incredibly popular tourist spot on the south coast of England, Brighton is known for its many cycling routes and its large number of cyclists (approximately 22 percent of the population). 

Surprisingly, cycling fatalities in Brighton and Hove are not common. However, the area around Duke Road and London Road sees 167 serious cycling accidents and 449 minor cycling accidents every year.

Be Aware of the Risks Cyclists Face in the UK…

Cycling accidents in the UK are caused by several factors which include:

  • Cyclist fault: a cyclist failing to properly follow the rules of the road and to take due care when cycling.
  • Driver fault: motorists failing to properly watch out for cyclists while driving on busy UK roads.
  • Cycle lanes: many towns and cities simply do not have enough cycle lanes to ensure optimum safety for cyclists and motorists.

In London in particular, there tends to be something of a war between cycling and motorists, with each blaming the other for the high number of accidents.

If you’re a keen cyclist looking to cycle around the UK, be aware of the roads mentioned in this article.