Pedestrian and cyclist casualty trends in Scotland

This study set out to gain a better understanding of trends in pedestrian and cyclist road casualties in Scotland using road traffic injury data collected through police reports and from hospital admission data.

There are a number of clear issues of concern:

• the rise in adult cyclist casualties
• the consistently higher rate of pedestrian casualties in more deprived communities
• the higher rate of child cyclist and pedestrian casualties in comparison with adults
• generally, a higher level of cyclist and pedestrian casualties in large urban areas.

The report makes a number of suggestions for what needs to happen to reduce casualties and encourage more people to walk and cycle.  No one approach will be enough; many concurrent actions are needed.

Increased investment in safe, well-designed and integrated infrastructure and area speed restrictions would reduce the real and perceived risks of accidents for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Better road maintenance, training programmes for cyclists, bus drivers and other road users and behaviour change campaigns can also play a part. Adopting approaches to neighbourhood design which enable safe walking, cycling and play will help create safer and more sustainable community environments

Three Excel spreadsheets are available as appendices alongside this report.

Appendix A: Pedestrian and cyclist casualties in Scotland (Figs 1-7).
Appendix B: Pedestrian and cyclist casualties in Scotland (Figs 8-22).
Appendix C: Pedestrian and cyclist casualties in Scotland (Figs 23-37).