AN interactive map has revealed there were 15 crashes involving cyclists in Herefordshire last year.

Crash Map shows the crash hotspots in the county for cyclists, and it uses official Government data.

The app uses official data from The Department of Transport, which it then inputs onto an interactive map.

It shows you where "fatal", "serious" and "slight" driving collisions have taken place in your area.

The data shows the most crashes in 2020 happened on the A438 Whitecross Road in Hereford.

Active travel measures

Herefordshire Council has tried to make cycling, as well as walking, more appealing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hereford Times: Pedestrians and cyclists have taken advantage of the road closure across the Old Bridge, Hereford. Picture: Rob Davies Pedestrians and cyclists have taken advantage of the road closure across the Old Bridge, Hereford. Picture: Rob Davies

It has introduced active travel measures, which includes closing the Old Bridge in Hereford to cars and reducing speed limits in some locations from 30mph to 20mph.

The council also has a park and cycle scheme.

"Many people would love to be able to cycle to work or to college but often journeys may be too far to manage by bike," the council says.

"Park and cycle offers a staging post, providing convenient locations for people to break their journey, park their car for free and continue by bike, making the most of traffic-free routes and getting in some exercise for the day."

Hereford Times: Old Bridge in Hereford has been closed to encourage cycling and walking during the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Rob DaviesOld Bridge in Hereford has been closed to encourage cycling and walking during the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Rob Davies

More information can be found on the Herefordshire Council website.

There are also Beryl Bikes, including electric bikes, available for hire from bays around the city

Cycling safety tips

Cycling UK has also produced a list of its top ten tips for biking in traffic:

  1. Start with good road positioning: Make sure your road position is not too close to the kerb
  2. Keep an eye on what’s around you: Road awareness is an important skill to develop
  3. Building up a sense of anticipation: All road users have the capacity to do things you might not expect
  4. Make your intentions clear: Try to give other road users an indication of what you’re going to do
  5. Make eye contact: Try to make eye contact with other road users, particularly at junctions, side roads and on roundabouts
  6. Never undertake a lorry: Cycling to work is a safe way to commute to work, but always watch out for left-turning lorries as they pose a significant risk to cyclists
  7. Watch out for car doors: Give plenty of space around parked cars just in case someone opens the car door without looking
  8. Stay visible when riding your bike in the dark: Make sure you know the law on lighting up
  9. Keep your hands on the brakes: If you can’t get your hands to your brake levers quickly, you might not be able to stop in time if you need to. Cycle with your hands covering your brake levers
  10. Consider cycle training: Bikeability isn't just for kids

Hereford Times: The Monument roundabout at the junctions of Whitecross Road and Kings Acre Road, Hereford. Picutre: Michael Adam The Monument roundabout at the junctions of Whitecross Road and Kings Acre Road, Hereford. Picutre: Michael Adam

Herefordshire roads with collisions involving cyclists in 2020

Serious crashes

  • A4103, near Whitestone
  • Moorfield Street, Hereford
  • A438 Whitecross Road, Hereford
  • Plough Lane, Hereford
  • Cagebrook Avenue, Hereford
  • Old Eign Hill, Hereford
  • B4218 Walwyn Road, Colwall

Slight crashes

  • A49 Holmer Road, Hereford
  • A465 Commercial Road, Hereford
  • A438 Whitecross Road, Hereford
  • Bridge Street, Hereford
  • A465 Belmont Road, Hereford
  • B4361 South Street, Leominster
  • B4363, Mortimer's Cross
  • A40 Gloucester Road, Ross-on-Wye

Fatal crashes

The map shows no fatal crashes involving pedal cycles happened in Herefordshire last year.

But West Mercia Police did report in December that a cyclist had been killed in Tedstone Delamere, near Bromyard.

They said the man killed was in his 70s, and was in collision with a Fiat van.

It is not known why this has not appeared on the interactive map.