Cyclist Injuries from Solo Crashes Rising Sharply, New RSA Report Reveals
New RSA report reveals over 400 cyclists hospitalised yearly from solo crashes, with numbers doubling since 2014.
A concerning increase in cyclists suffering serious injuries from single-bike crashes has been revealed in a new Road Safety Authority report, with hospital admissions more than doubling over the past decade despite no other vehicles being involved.
The RSA published its report on serious injuries from single-cyclist collisions yesterday, drawing on data from An Garda Síochána and the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry database covering 2014 to 2023. Single-cyclist collisions are incidents where only one bicycle is involved, typically through interactions with road surfaces, loss of control, striking a kerb or footpath, or swerving to avoid another vehicle.
The findings paint a stark picture of vulnerability on Irish roads. Between 2014 and 2023, the number of cyclists hospitalised following single-cyclist collisions increased from 155 to 407. The highest numbers were recorded in 2020 with 547 cases and 2021 with 548 cases. Over the most recent five years analysed, more than 2,300 cyclists required hospitalisation, with 17% sustaining clinically serious injuries carrying a higher risk of long-term consequences.
The Dublin area accounted for 35% to 40% of all single-cyclist collision incidents, though cyclists across Ireland, including Cork and Munster, face similar risks on urban and rural roads alike. The majority of hospitalised cyclists were male, around three quarters, with younger cyclists under 14 particularly affected. Injuries often involved the upper limbs, head and lower limbs, with serious cases requiring an average of seven days in hospital.
The report includes a sobering personal account from Niall Connor of Dundalk, who sustained a brain injury 30 years ago at age 14 from a fall from his bike.
Niall Connor:
"When you're young, it's easy to feel invincible, I certainly did. But one moment can change everything. A simple cycle near my home ended in a crash that changed my life forever. I sustained serious, life-changing injuries from a moment's loss of control. Decades later, I still live with the consequences."
Niall Connor:
"Reports like this matter because they show that these incidents can affect and alter the course of someone's life. We need to treat single-cyclist collisions as a serious public safety issue, not just a cycling one."
The findings also reveal that Garda collision data significantly underreports the true scale of single-cyclist collisions when compared with hospital records, a trend consistent with international evidence. This highlights the critical importance of combining both data sources to understand the full impact on public health.
Sam Waide, RSA Chief Executive:
"This research is shared with the NTA and stakeholder groups such as Cycling Ireland. The RSA is committed to enhancing education and awareness and working with stakeholders to use this evidence to inform road safety policies, improve infrastructure, advertising campaigns and raise awareness among cyclists and other road users."
The RSA has contributed €200,000 in recent years to support Cycling Ireland's Cycle Right training programme, with more than 40,000 children participating in 2025 alone.
However, cycling advocates argue that education alone is insufficient to address the problem.
Ciaran Cannon, President of Cycling Ireland:
"We are proud to partner with the Road Safety Authority and the Department of Transport in delivering the Cycle Right programme, educating thousands of children every year on the fundamentals of safe cycling. But this report makes clear that education alone is not enough. Single cyclist collisions can result from poor road surfaces and inadequate cycling infrastructure. We urgently need to prioritise investment in safer road design, consistent road maintenance, and high-quality cycling infrastructure that safeguards all who share the road."
The full report is available on the RSA website.