FIGURES obtained by Advice.co.uk reveal that Thames Valley Police recorded 375 cyclist casualties during the 2024/25 period.
They say it underscores the risks riders continue to face as cycling grows in popularity for commuting, leisure and outdoor fitness.
With more people turning to bicycles as an affordable and environmentally friendly way to travel, the volume of cyclists mixing with cars, buses and larger vehicles on the area’s road network has steadily increased.
As a result, greater scrutiny is being placed on issues such as traffic density, deteriorating road surfaces and the patchy availability of protected cycle routes.
Thames Valley Police categorise injuries according to severity; in 2024/25, the force recorded four fatalities, 59 serious injuries, and 312 slight injuries involving cyclists.
These local findings reflect national concerns. Department for Transport statistics show that between 2019 and 2023, an average of two cyclists were killed and 80 seriously injured every week on Britain’s roads.
In 2023, 87 cyclists died, with thousands more sustaining serious or minor injuries.
Patterns across the UK reveal that busy urban areas tend to see the highest number of collisions due to complex junctions, heavier traffic and increased interaction between different road users.
Meanwhile, rural routes, though quieter, often result in more serious injuries because of higher speeds and limited cycling infrastructure.
Road defects continue to play a major role in cyclist casualties nationwide. Potholes, cracked surfaces and uneven carriageways, along with a shortage of well-designed cycle lanes, contribute to numerous avoidable incidents each year and are a growing concern for campaigners pushing for safer cycling environments.
JF Law’s Road Traffic Accident Manager, Tracy Chick, said: “It remains deeply concerning that cyclist injury numbers are still at this level.
“Far too many of these collisions are caused by factors that could be avoided, such as driver distraction, poorly maintained roads, and the absence of safe, continuous cycling infrastructure.
“These problems are ones we see time and time again.
“For those involved in a crash, the impact is often significant–many cyclists face serious physical harm, ongoing emotional distress and financial setbacks that affect their daily lives long after the incident.”
“As more people take up cycling across the UK, improving road safety and ensuring justice for injured cyclists must remain a national priority.
“It’s vital that anyone injured in a cycling accident understands their rights and seeks legal advice as soon as possible.
“If the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, whether that’s a motorist, local authority, or another party, they may be entitled to make a compensation claim to help cover medical costs, loss of earnings, and other related damages.”
More information is available via: advice.co.uk
