Schoolchildren from across the North East have joined road safety partners and the emergency services in urging drivers to take a second look for cyclists after new figures revealed more than half of collisions involving bikes were caused by drivers failing to see them.
Pupils from Throston Primary School in Hartlepool are backing a campaign led by Road Safety GB North East (RSGB NE), alongside police and fire services, to encourage road users to slow down and watch out for people on cycles.
With the summer holidays under way, more children are likely to be cycling and drivers are being urged to look for people riding bikes, or stepping out into the road. Cyclists are being encouraged to wear helmets and bright or reflective clothing.
Children, bikes, and road accidents
The latest figures show that during the last five years children accounted for around a quarter of cyclist casualties in the region. In that time, 458 child cyclists were injured in road collisions, 86 of them suffering serious injuries. Tragically, two children were killed.
Failure to look properly was the leading contributory factor, accounting for 62% of casualties, most of whom were boys. Particularly at risk are 11 to 15-year-olds, who accounted for 71% of all child cycling casualties.
Peter Slater, Chair of RSGB NE, a road safety campaign group representing the 12 local authorities from across the Region, said urgent action was needed to better safeguard children:
“We’re asking all road users to slow down, stay alert and take a second look for cyclists, particularly at junctions, when overtaking, or before opening a vehicle door.
“Children should be able to cycle safely in their communities. Cyclists are among our most vulnerable road users, and by giving them space and looking properly before making a manoeuvre, drivers can help prevent avoidable collisions and keep young people safe.”
Throston Primary School children backing the safety campaign
The campaign has been backed by pupils from Throston Primary School in Hartlepool, who have been learning about road safety through Bikeability training delivered by their local councils’ road safety teams.
Every year, thousands of children across the North East take part in Bikeability training, helping them develop the skills and confidence to cycle safely. As more young people get out on their bikes during the summer holidays, it is vital that drivers also play their part.
Matthew Lidster, Cleveland Fire Brigade’s Road and Water Safety Team Lead, said:
“Every road traffic collision has the potential to change lives in an instant. As a fire service, we see first-hand the devastating impact these incidents can have on children, families and communities. By slowing down, staying alert and taking that extra second to look for cyclists, drivers can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safe on our roads.”
The figures show that one of the most common locations for cyclists to become involved in a collision is close to a junction, with 59% of cyclist casualties occurring within 20m of a junction.
Inspector Mark Kewley from Cleveland Police, said:
“We are supportive of this awareness campaign, and any initiatives that help to reduce the number of serious collisions and serious or fatal injuries on our roads.”
The data below shows the breakdown of child cyclist casualties across the region.
Total casualties involving child cyclists by local authority from 2021 to 2025
| Local Authority | Fatal | Serious | Slight | Total |
| County Durham | 0 | 15 | 45 | 60 |
| Darlington | 0 | 6 | 26 | 32 |
| Gateshead | 0 | 2 | 14 | 16 |
| Hartlepool | 0 | 5 | 23 | 28 |
| Middlesbrough | 0 | 14 | 28 | 42 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 0 | 5 | 36 | 41 |
| North Tyneside | 0 | 7 | 36 | 43 |
| Northumberland | 0 | 5 | 32 | 37 |
| Redcar and Cleveland | 0 | 0 | 23 | 23 |
| South Tyneside | 1 | 10 | 32 | 43 |
| Stockton-on-Tees | 0 | 11 | 33 | 44 |
| Sunderland | 1 | 6 | 42 | 49 |
| Total | 2 | 86 | 370 | 458 |
The statistics used in this campaign have been taken from analysis conducted by the North East Regional Road Safety Resource on Stats 19 data provided by Northumbria, Durham, and Cleveland police forces.
For more information about Road Safety GB North East, road safety advice and campaigns, please see here.
Follow Road Safety GB North East on social media here.
And on YouTube here.
This article is based on a media release from Middlesbrough Council.
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