County Durham’s blackspots and dangerous roads for cyclists

Crash Map shows where ‘fatal’ ‘serious’ and ‘slight’ cycling accidents have occurred in your area- the information is sourced from the most current government data and police records.

Between 2015-2019, there have been hundreds of pedal cycle accidents (where the cyclist is the casualty) in County Durham- how dangerous are the roads near you?

Fatalities in County Durham

According to the map, 2017 was a tragic year for cyclists in County Durham as three fatal accidents took place this year.

One accident occurred on Shincliffe road and involved and 80-year-old man who died after a crash with a car.

According to a 2018 Pedal Cycle Road Safety Factsheet from the Department of Transport, 45 per cent of pedal cycle fatalities occur at or withing 20 meters of a junction- and this is exactly what happened in 2017 on Colliery Lane in Murton when Stuart Price, 24, died following a collision with a car near a junction.

A fatal accident also took place in Darlington on Rotary Way; Ryan Wilson was killed instantly after being knocked off his mountain bike.

Dangerous roads and accident blackspots for cyclists

Looking at Crash Map, one particularly dangerous road for cyclists is the A690 between Nevilles Cross and Brandon.

Cycling accidents in County Durham (Photo: Crash map)

Eight ‘slight’ and two serious accidents have taken place on this stretch of road. One dangerous blackspot on the road appears to be where Sawmills Lane meets the A690- one minor and one serious accident has take place at this junction between 2015-2019.

Another dangerous road is New Elvet in County Durham. Between 2015-2019, two serious and two ‘slight’ accidents have taken place.

(Credit: Google Maps)

A roundabout for County Durham cyclists to be wary of is the one between Bowburn and Coxhoe, where one serious and two minor cycling accident have occurred between 2015-2019.

Darlington is another accident hotspot for cyclists.

The roundabout on Yarm Road, between McMullen Road and Salters Lane has seen four ‘slight’ cycling accidents between 2015-2019.

(Credit: Google Maps)

The roundabout between Abbey Road and Elton Road is also one to be wary of- it has seen one slight and one serious cycling accident between 2015-2019.

What is County Durham council doing to protect cyclists?

Joshua Harris, Director of Campaigns at Brake (road safety charity), said more needs to be done to improve cycle safety in the UK.

Mr Harris explained that road users need to look out for one another- especially around danger spots.

He said: “Two-thirds of adults feel that it is too dangerous to cycle on roads which is unsurprising given the threats cyclists face from fast moving motor traffic and with such limited space for cycling on our roads.

“We will only achieve safe and healthy mobility for everyone if we get more people cycling but to do this we need to overcome the barriers which deter people from getting on their bikes.

“We urgently need more investment in dedicated cycling infrastructure and we need safer vehicle speeds, including 20mph limits in our towns and cities.”

Durham County Council have laid out plans to improve cycling and walking infrastructures in the region.

They plan to improve cycling and walking networks that are “safe and usable” for more people.”

They also have an online guide containing safety tips for cyclists and drivers.

Dave Wafer, Durham County Council’s interim head of transport, said: “Work to improve our infrastructure and create safer and more attractive cycling and walking networks is ongoing.

“We have launched a Borrow a Bike scheme in Shildon and we have also improved our walking and cycling infrastructure following a grant from the government’s emergency travel fund in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

"This has allowed us to create protected cycle lanes, reduce the speed limit in certain areas and introduce increased signage and cycle detection to some of our traffic lights."