Bike accidents rising

Photo: Mihkel Maripuu

In five years, bicycling in Tallinn has become at least twice as dangerous.

People might not think riding a bicycle in town is risky. Still, statistics say that while in 2009 Tallinn had 26 accidents with bicyclists, in 2011 and 2012 the numbers were 53 and 50, respectively.

«The existence of the subjective danger is also a reason why bicycle traffic is not rising too rapidly,» said Dago Antov, a professor at Tallinn University of Technology, at the recent Estonian Municipality Days.

According to him, a study was recently conducted which, among other things, included the question what would be the main problem hindering them from using the bike in traffic.

«And the main thing wasn’t safety in traffic; rather, it was lack of safe parking place for the bike. About the third most quoted reason was bicycling being dangerous. We may say it also is a kind of an excuse,» said the professor.

«Maybe the people who ride do not sense the danger. But surely the sense of danger, be it founded or not, is a cause why growth of use of bikes is limited,» he added.

The professor said that if bicycle traffic grows as fast as is predicted, in Tallinn, there ought to be a readiness to manage these risks.

Ten times the risk

According to Antov, statistics from 2002 to 2012 (no data available as yet for 2013 – edit) show that over these past years bicycle accidents have been on the increase in Tallinn. At the beginning of and in mid-2000ies, 30–40 accidents happened in a year. In 2009 and 2010, the number came below 30. However, 2011 there were 53 accidents, and 50 in 2012.

«Maybe these numbers by themselves do not say so much; even so, as we look at the percentage of bicycle accidents of all accidents where people were injured or killed, then they are quite troublesome. Bicycle accidents come between 7–12 percent of all accidents,» he said.

«While percentage of bicycles is one-two percent of all traffic and the amount of accidents related to them is ten times bigger, it means that the risk of travelling a kilometre by bike or car differs ten times. Bicycles are few, but every eight or tenth accident afflicting humans involves a bicycle,» he explained.

According to Mr Anton, the percentage of bike accidents that happen in Tallinn – of all such in Estonia – is also remarkable.

Of bike accidents registered in 2013, 26.3 happened in Tallinn; in 2012 – 33.8 percent.

«For obvious reasons, bike accidents tend to happen in the warmer seasons, but it’s not quite a rule. In fall/winter/spring, about a dozen accidents a year happen; the remaining 30–50 take place when the weather is fine,» said Mr Antov.

Of working days, Friday is the day of most accidents in Tallinn. On Saturdays and Sundays, accidents are fewer than on working days. Clock-wise, most accidents happen at the evening peak hour, between 5 and 9 pm.

Fast line hazard

According to Mr Antov, statistics show that 78 per cent of accidents happen to men. Also, all five that lost their lives in bicycle accidents were males.

«The ladies are said to be more careful in traffic, perhaps that is also true regarding bicycling. Interestingly, the main weight of accidents fall on grown-up men who should have developed some wisdom – those 25–35 years of age. This is also the contingent of the population that involves the most drivers,» said the professor.

The other age group often hurt in bike accidents are the 10–20 olds. Female bicyclists involved in accidents are mostly 25 to 30 years of age.

«Mostly, accidents happen where traffic is the heaviest; also where cars move fast. These are the main arteries of the city, where drivers tend to speed, where traffic is heavy and where the bicyclists may not have the best traffic conditions,» said Mr Antov.

According to statistics, the places of most danger for cyclists are Paldiski Highway, Pärnu Highway, and Narva Highway.

The more dangerous roads have a couple of concentration spots. Thus, on Pärnu Highway, most accidents happen near the Police building and around Nõmme Centre. On Paldiski Highway, the hazard areas are the sections from Sõle intersection towards the city, the Merimetsa neighbourhood, and the section along Lake Harku.

Bicycle accidents

•    Side hits from vehicles     203

•    Other traffic accidents    58

•    Collision with vehicle coming from opposite direction    29

•    Collision with pedestrian    26

•    Sideways collision of vehicles    17

•    Collision with vehicle moving in front    13

•    Bike thrown over    9

•    Collision with vehicle standing in front    7

•    Collision with obstacle outside the road    2

•    Collision with animal    1

•    Collision with obstacle on path    1

•    Riding off the road    1

Source: Dago Antov