The increased use of in car gadgets, hands free phones, Sat Navs and digital music systems are being blamed for an increase in accidents on the UK's roads.

The rate of accidents involving death or serious injury had been on the decline for the previous 3 years, but in the 12 months to September there was a 4% increase, reaching almost 25000.
Incidents involving cyclists showed the biggest increase, with 3500 accident involving death or serious injury, an increase of 8%.
Officials suggested that the increase was driven by a rise in the number of cars taking to the road over the past 12 months.
The RAC have suggested that many motorists are becoming distracted by the sheer number of gadgets installed on the dashboard of new vehicles. Its own polling has shown that mobile phones are a 'major source of distraction' for more than a quarter of their drivers - rising to 40% among those in their late 20s.
In all 1730 fatalities were recorded in the 12 month period, up by 1%. 24360 people were involved in accidents resulting in death or serious injury, a rise of 5%, and there were 192910 casualties of all types, a rise of 5%.
This is only the third time in 30 years that the number of deaths and serious injuries had increased.

If you have suffered an injury as a result of a road accident that was not your fault, speak to Cycle Accident Helpline - the No Win No Fee experts - today for a no obligation chat.
Help is only a click or call away.

Jaguar Land Rover have released a video showing their Bike Sense warning system that literally taps the driver on the shoulder to warn of a passing cyclist.
The system detects when a cyclist or motorcyclist is passing on the inside or outside - and even has a warning when the driver is about to open the door into the path of a passing cyclist.
Following last weeks post re the developments being done by Volvo on cycle safety it is great to see that the manufacturers are getting behind cycle safety.
The great thing about the JLR version is that no additional equipment is required by the cyclist or motorcyclist - Bike Sense links sensors on the outside of the car to a computer. The sensors detect movement and the computer processes the signals to identify approaching cyclists and motorcyclists.


The video give a better idea of how the system works - and can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faRHh2hIKlg

Jaguar said that Bike Sense would be able to prioritise hazards in urban driving situations, when a motorist can be surrounded by those on two wheels, and pedestrians.

The international CES is a global electronics and consumer technology tradeshow that takes place every January in Las Vegas.
This year a couple of cycle products have caught the attention of The Times.
They have highlighted a 'smart' pedal that helps to trace bicycle thieves. The pedal houses a GPS tracker and a SIM card that work together to alert the owner to an attempted theft - or to the whereabouts of a stolen bike.
The aluminium pedal is also able to track speed, distance and calorie count over the course of a bike ride, and send this data to the cyclist's smartphone.
The pedal requires no batteries because it generates its own power from kinetic energy absorbed during a ride.

The pedal has been developed by French company Connected Cycle  - and the pedal prevents tampering by thieves as it can only be removed with a special key.
The company website can be found here: http://connectedcycle.com/
Also highlighted was a concept bicycle helmet developed by Volvo, designed to make city cycling safer. The helmet links with a rider's smartphone app that transmits their location to nearby vehicles fitted with the company' City Safety system.
This warns drivers when a cyclist is nearby, and warns cyclists when they are in a driver's blind spot.
It also analyses the routes of both vehicle and bike, and predict when an accident is about to happen. It can automatically apply the car's brakes and illuminate a warning light inside the cyclist's helmet to avert a collision.
Fortunately there does seem to be a lot of research going into cycle safety - specifically related to HGV's, as the Volvo product does seem to be attempting to tackle the same problem as the British Cycle Alert. cyclealert.com
It is good to see that the world of Tech is concentrating on the everyday issues faced by cyclists - as well as the design and development at the elite level.

The Olympic Gold medalllist Chris Boardman has urged Boris Johnson not to give into pressure from 'old men in limos', and scrap plans for the cycle superhighways across London.
Following the mayor's proposals for a 'Crossrail for bikes' across the capital, there has been a mixed response from companies and the public alike.
Chris Boardman wrote in an article on the Guardian website that 'There is an intense lobbying operation to destroy the plans, led by just one company, Canary Wharf Group, and by the City of London Corporation'.
Michael Welbank, planning Chairman of the City of London Corporation, said they supported the plans in principal, but claimed the proposals are 'heavily biased towards cycling' - something which Boardman said was like 'opposing Crossrail on the grounds that it is heavily biaised towards trains'.

Full details of the TFL consultations can be found here:-
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/campaign/cycle-superhighway-consultations

So there you have it, happier, healthier and harder working – cycling – it’s a revolutionary movement.

Last weekend saw the streets of London closed for the annual Ride London weekend.
I was lucky enough to take part in the Ride London-Surrey 100 for a second time this year - though that was badly hit by the after effects of Hurricane Bertha. The amateur event was shortened from 100 miles to 86 miles to avoid the more dangerous parts of the route - Leith Hill and Box Hill.
On Saturday an estimated 60,000 took part in a 10 mile ride through central London and the festivities included the largest bicycle bell ensemble........


Sunday was the day for the more serious events - the Ride London 100, followed by the 'Classic' event for elite riders.
I started my ride at 7:50 - when it was fairly drizzly, but not too bad. By the time I reached Hampton Court, about 25 miles in - the heavens well and truly opened - it was like cycling through a power shower. The speed of the downpour resulted in lots of flooding en route - all taken in its stride by the great marshalls and volunteers.
The rain did not seem to put off the supporters - who were out along most of the route - and really did spur on the cyclists.
With 25 miles to go the sun came out - I dried out - and even had the sun glasses on!! It stayed dry until I had 1 mile to go - the sky went very dark, and then the heavens opened again - the wind picked up, knocking over hoardings in the final stages - bt I got through - soaked - again - but delighted to have got through without a puncture - and without coming off.
The whole day was brilliantly organised - and any accidents I did see were being well attended by medics and marshalls.
I was really sorry to hear afterwards that a cyclists had died of a cardiac arrest on the climb up to Newlands Corner near Guildford. My heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends. I was relieved to see that the cyclist behind him has been able to reassure the family that he was really well looked after by the medics and the Police. RIP Kris Cook.
More than 20,709 cyclists defied the wind and the rain to complete the course, making it the biggest ever cycling sportive held in the UK.
Gary Watson and Lisa Russell, of Raynes Park even managed to get married en route - stopping of at Richmond Park's Pembroke Lodge to tie the knot, before completing the course!

Ahead of a weekend celebration of cycling in London I attended the Prudential RideLondon Cycling Show 2014  - partly because you need to attend to collect your pack for the RideLondon 100 - but the show is well worth a visit in it's own right.
Most of the major cycling brands were there - and nearly everyone was giving really good discounts on essential kit for the weekend
Loads to do, things to try, and hourly stunt riding shows - something for everyone - and the kids are definitely well catered for - wth lots of photo opportunites - on Wiggo's throne, at the front of the peloton etc. - and lots of
You have the opportunity to get  last minute massage before Sunday, ad you can wash it all down with a free non alcoholic Erdinger!
and some celebrities along for the ride as well... Go Chemmy!

The event was opened yesterday by Martin Johnson - who is also taking part on Sunday.

Having been looking forward to this weekend for months it is a bit of a shame that it looks like the weather is going to take a real turn for the worse on Sunday.
Lets hope it doesn't affect the Ride London event - or the professionals Classic - which Bradley Wiggins is due to tak part on on Sunday after the RideLondon 100.
Good luck to everyone taking part - see you on the route!

 

We walked through the night - and that was when the checkpoints became even more important. When you have been walking in the dark for two hours – and then you can hear the strains of The Proclaimers blowing across a valley – you know it’s not too much further to your next break.

A specials thanks to our support team, Mette and Debs, who not only supported us all the way round, with very little sleep, but also had to listen to our war stories all of Sunday night.

Roads 'too dangerous' for cyclists BBC poll suggests

Robert Goodwill, the Minister for Cycling, is championing a scheme proposed in a recent government consulation, for Cycle Streets, with a 15mph speed limit.
In these streets, in addition to the speed limit, it would also be forbidden to overtake cyclists, and Police would be aboe to issue a fixed penalty fine o £100.00 and 3 points to motorists who ignored the 'no overtaking' rule.
This is currently being considered by some 'Cycling Cities' and London.

The Minister said:
'I am pleased to announce that today we are launching a consultation on revised Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions.