Cyclist Safety gap widens across Europe

Cyclist safety in Europe is falling behind that of car occupants, according to a new report from the European Transport Safety Council, writes Brian Byrne. While deaths among motorised road users have declined steadily over the past decade, cyclist fatalities have barely fallen.

In 2024, 1,926 cyclists were killed on EU roads. Between 2014 and 2024, cyclist deaths dropped by just 8 per cent, compared with a much faster reduction among car occupants and other motor vehicle users. Cyclists now make up 10 per cent of all road deaths in the EU.

The report calls for lower urban speed limits, better enforcement, and major investment in protected cycling infrastructure.

In Ireland, cyclist death rates remain low by EU standards, but serious injuries are a growing concern. Hospital data suggest the problem is significantly undercounted in Garda records, pointing to a much greater safety challenge than official figures show.

Road safety experts say governments cannot continue promoting cycling for health and climate goals without also making it safer, especially as motor vehicles remain involved in most fatal cyclist collisions. 

Cycle Alert adopted by City of York

The City of York in the UK has fitted its buses in the inner city with a bicycle detection system, Cycle Alert, becoming the first city in the world to try and directly cut down injuries and deaths to cyclists by buses, writes Brian Byrne.

The scheme is in conjunction with the University of York, which has made available to its students the bicycle side of the system, a small transponder which alerts the buses to the proximity of a bicycle which may not be visible in the vehicle's blind spots. The system tracks only bicycles within two metres of the bus or truck fitted with Cycle Alert.

The transponder tag can be fitted to the bike, or worn by the cyclist on their jacket or helmet. The tag uses active radio frequency identification (RFID) pulses to broadcast its position, and a sensor and display in the large vehicle cab alerts the operator.

Globally, there is a disproportionate amount of accidents and deaths to cyclists in collision with HGVs.

A Vienna cycle tour

There's a wonderful sense of anarchy about cycling around a city, writes Brian Byrne. Especially one like Vienna, in a group with a guide.

Actually, the city makes it relatively easy with lots of cycle lanes and priorities at lights and intersections. But you still have to be seriously alert, because there's a busy mix of pedallers and pedestrians, not to mind the motor traffic.

Cycling is my favourite way of getting to know a city in a hurry. I used Vienna Explorer, based on Franz Josef Kai, close to the S-Bahn station of Schwedenplatz. Booked online, cost €24 (I got €2 off as a Senior). Various cycle tours offered include a Wine Tour through the villages in the lower Alps outside the city. Another time.

Lifesaver bike light coming

A new protoype bicycle light could enhance safety for night riders at risk of being hit by motorists making right turns without noticing an approaching bike, writes Brian Byrne.

The Blaze light developed by a former design student, Emily Brooke, uses both LEDs and a laser system to project a 'cycling' motif on the road up to 20 feet in front of the rider.

It could be on sale next year at a price of less than €80. The device uses rechargable batteries with a useful life of up to six hours.

Cyclist cameras help in driver confrontations

Cyclists in the US are using helmet cameras to help prosecute drivers who push them off the road or leave after causing an accident, writes Brian Byrne.

The devices are normally used to shoot video on fast leisure sports like skiiing or mountain biking. But now they're being used by commuter cyclists like the flight recorder 'black boxes' on aircraft, which provide information in the time leading up to an incident.

The cameras have also been credited with warding off confrontation, when aggressive motorists hurl insults and worse after a bicycle-car incident.

Cyclists have also admitted that their own behaviour has been modified, because they know their own reactions in such a situation are being recorded.

Merc's Folding Bike

Folding bikes have been around for a long time, but Mercedes-Benz owners in Britain can now buy the latest one from their local dealers.



Featuring eight-speed sequential ‘clutchless’ transmission, disc brakes all-round and fully independent front and rear suspension, the new Folding Bike is well-specified.

The bike’s patented folding mechanism takes just a few seconds, and there are two different folded positions. The Shuttle position folds the seat post onto the frame, allowing the bike to be pushed and steered – ideal for easy manoeuvring when negotiating crowded train stations.



When in the completely folded down position, the Mercedes-Benz Folding Bike measures just 80x80x35 cm. These dimensions make the bike ideal for storing in a car, especially for those who want to park out of town and cycle in. In London the Folding Bike effectively pays for itself in under six months in avoiding such charges.

The Folding Bike features suspension, an adjustable gel saddle; ergonomic hand grips; Continental tyres with reflective side walls; a ‘semi-auto’ Shimano sequential-shift eight-speed derailleur; folding pedals; and two disc brakes.

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