Request ID: FOI-0173-2122 Date published: 21 May 2021
You asked
I am interested in transport data on bicycles.
I am particularly interested in the accident statistics for example:
• interactions with pedestrians
• interactions with traffic
• interactions with road surfaces, e.g. potholes
• interactions of cyclists with vulnerable pedestrians, e.g. elderly people, young children, people with disabilities on pavements
I've got some questions too.
Do you collect any data on the illegal use of the pavement?
Do you have databases that record data connected with cyclists?
Do you analyse CCTV data to get an estimate of illegal use of the pavement?
Do you have any information on where I can find documentation on the current state of the legislation that covers cyclists and issues connected with insuring cycle usage,
particularly in relation to cyclists in the parcel / food delivery business?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0173-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 28th April 2021 asking for data about bicycles.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“I am interested in transport data on bicycles.
I am particularly interested in the accident statistics for example:
• interactions with pedestrians • interactions with traffic • interactions with road surfaces, e.g. potholes • interactions of cyclists with vulnerable pedestrians, e.g. elderly people, young children, people with disabilities on pavements
I've got some questions too.
Do you collect any data on the illegal use of the pavement? Do you have databases that record data connected with cyclists? Do you analyse CCTV data to get an estimate of illegal use of the pavement? Do you have any information on where I can find documentation on the current state of the legislation that covers cyclists and issues connected with insuring cycle usage, particularly in relation to cyclists in the parcel / food delivery business?”
I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require.
In relation to the first part of your request, please see the attached spreadsheet which provides data for the last four years (note that 2020 data is up to the end of November 2020 only, and is provisional and may be subject to change). Please note the caveats and explanations provided with the data. All data recorded by the Met and City police using DfT STATS20 guidance:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/230596/stats20-2011.pdf In regard to the data in section D, regarding ‘vulnerable pedestrians’, the data is shown by age bands. There is a category that can be assigned to pedestrians considered by the reporting officer to have a disability or illness, but no records are showing for pedestrians injured by a pedal cyclist on the footway with such a category. Note further that TfL only receives details of collisions occurring on the public highway - some areas in London such as the Thames Path, Parks, Canal Towpaths etc are not considered public highway. The police do not generally record collisions occurring off the public highway as they are not required to do so under Department for Transport guidance. Note further that details of all vehicles recorded in personal injury collisions for London are available on our website from 2005 to June 2020 here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/road-safety Full 2020 data will be uploaded when available. You may also be interested in the TfL “Vision Zero” action plan, which outlines our ambition to eradicate deaths and serious injuries from our roads. More detail can be found on our website here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/safety-and-security/road-safety/vision-zero-for-london In relation to your other questions, we can answer as follows: Do you collect and data on the illegal use of the pavement? The Metropolitan Police can issue Traffic Offence Report penalty fines to people cycling on the pavement. The figures for the number of such fines issued in the last four years are:
FY17/18
FY18/19
FY19/20
FY20/21
292
285
336
471
Do you have databases that record data connected with cyclists?
It is not entirely clear what exact data you are after. As well as the data provided above, you may be interested in our regular Travel in London reports and associated data, which can be found on our website here:
Do you analyse CCTV data to get an estimate of illegal use of the pavement?
TfL does not analyse CCTV footage to this end. This is principally a matter for the Metropolitan police to enforce.
Do you have any information on where I can find documentation on the current state of legislation that cover cyclists and issues connected with insuring cycle usage particularly in relation to cyclists in the parcel / food delivery business?
It is not certain exactly what recorded information you require or what you believe TfL may hold. If you can explain in more detail I can consider the matter further, although note that all legislation is published online, and various websites offer guidance and advice. For example, the following links may be of use (albeit note that TfL cannot vouch for the accuracy of the content of non-TfL sites):
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
