Norwich named one of UK's most dangerous cities for cyclists...

Cyclists are asking drivers to exercise more patience after data showed that Norwich was one of the most dangerous

places in the UK to ride a bicycle through.

According to data from CrashMap, Norwich had 399 pedal bike accidents between 2016 and 2020, making it the

14th-worst city in the nation for such incidences, according to Boyes Turner Claims, medical negligence attorneys.

London leads the field with 11,560 pedal bike collisions during that time, followed by Hull (1,243) and Bristol (1,301).

Overall, Norfolk’s situation is not much better. According to government data, 1,198 pedal bike crashes occurred

throughout the county between 2016 and 2020.

Even with the shutdown, 223 pedal bikers were hurt in collisions in 2020 alone. Two of these incidents resulted in

death.

And of those collisions recorded during that five-year period from 2016-2020, nine were fatal.

Helen Webster, a passionate cyclist from Norwich who was admitted to the hospital following a severe collision, says

there are two issues: impatient drivers and cyclists who don’t take care of themselves.

Ms. Webster, who sustained a broken clavicle, broken ribs, a spine fracture, and a broken bust lip, claimed that

although cars “hated” bicycles in general, there were instances when they failed to take the necessary steps and make

themselves visible.

“Boris Johnson told everyone to get on their bikes, but the problem is that drivers despise us,” she clarified.

“Because I have to cross challenging road intersections during peak hours, I have a near-miss every other day. People

then keep yelling at me to “get a car or pay your road tax.”

“There’s certain roads I would avoid as a cyclist altogether because they leave you so vulnerable.”

If you have your wits about you, you can stay safe, according to Brian Middleton, who rides his bicycle around

Norwich at the age of 83.

He continued: “If I hadn’t been cycling for 50 to 60 years and knew these junctions like the back of my hand I’d

probably see it differently.”

Ben Price, a cyclist and Green Party councillor, went on to say that a “fully integrated” system that enables safe door-

to-door cycling is the only solution to the issue.

Norwich named one of UK’s most dangerous cities for cyclists