POLICE are urging cyclists and motorists to share the roads safely after an increase in accidents involving bikes during lockdown.

The proportion of crashes involving pedal cyclists in the North Yorkshire has risen from 20 per cent to 27 per cent since since lockdown measures were introduced.

The figures are based on a comparison between the same four weeks in 2019 and 2020 and encompass crashes involving cyclists only, cyclists and pedestrians and those involving a cyclist and one or more vehicles.

The increase in cycling accidents coincides with quieter roads but an increase in excessive traffic speeds recorded by North Yorkshire Police.

North Yorkshire Police Sergeant Kirsten Aldridge urged road users to give each other space. She said: “We’ve seen a lot more cyclists using our roads recently, from young families and novices to experienced riders.

"The number of collisions involving cyclists has also sadly risen during this time.

"But if drivers and cyclists remember to share the road and stick to the rules this weekend, their risk of being involved in a serious crash can be significantly reduced.”