An alarming new study has named Reading the worst place for cyclist safety outside London.
A study by Sigma-HSE using Department for Transport data showed that Reading is the 11th riskiest place to cycle in Great Britain, based on casualty data.
Statistics showed that in 2024, there were 277 casualties in Reading on the highway where someone was killed or seriously injured, and 80 of these (28.9 per cent) involved an injury to a cyclist.
The concerning statistic was discussed during a question-and-answer session at Reading Borough Council’s policy committee meeting on July 13.
Rob White (Green, Park), leader of the council’s largest opposition party, said: “Reading has recently been named in a BBC News story as the worst local authority outside London for cyclist safety.
“This is deeply concerning for residents who already cycle and for those who would like to cycle but do not feel safe doing so.
“Poor road safety also undermines the council’s ambitions to encourage more active travel and reduce congestion.
“Can the lead councillor explain why Reading is performing so poorly, what action the council is taking to improve cyclist safety, and how success will be measured over the coming years?”
His question was answered by John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), lead councillor for transport, who cited data that showing incidents involving cyclists have dipped.
In 2015, there were 425 road casualties in Reading, with 84 of these (19.8 per cent) involving cyclists.
Cllr Ennis said: “I agree that it is concerning that Reading features highly on this list for the worst local authorities outside London for cyclists’ safety.
“Whilst we have seen a larger reduction in overall casualties, we are still seeing too many for those involving cyclists.
“We would, however, stress that any number of casualties on the highway, for any user, is too many.
“The council is committed to reducing risks for vulnerable users such as cyclists and pedestrians on Reading’s roads and actively works to improve safety of all road users. Reading has a number of cycling routes and the council is always looking for opportunities to connect them when funding possibilities arise.”
Cllr Ennis added that the council will seek funds for cycling safety schemes, including a redesigned project for Bath Road and Castle Hill.
He explained: “This will include considering any opportunities to deliver improvements such as parallel crossings, reviewing junctions and missing links and where the introduction of speed reduction schemes would be appropriate, such as the recent Northcourt Avenue scheme.
“We are also meeting with the Reading Cycling Campaign to get their input on this and where they consider the most important areas are where improvements for cycle safety are needed and continue to get feedback through the Cycle Forum. We hope that the delivery of future schemes will help to better integrate the existing network and provide the missing links that are currently there to make cycling safer.
“Finally, the council also funds Bikeability courses for children at schools across the borough as well as free adult cycle training courses to help give children and residents of Reading the confidence to cycle and the skills and knowledge to cycle in the safest manner possible.”
