Some BWA supporters have experienced close shaves or even personal injury when walking in areas where pedestrians should have priority. The statistics collected nationally on collisions only include those reported via the police – typically involving vehicles on roads. However, to make all routes safer, there needs to be better reporting of incidents of all kinds, whether on roads, cycleways, pavements or shared routes.
Here is a quick guide on how to report incidents to the police.
- For road collisions involving a car or other motor vehicle where someone is seriously injured, it must be reported to the police by phoning 999. They will record the incident on a STATS19 form, which is used to collate national collision data. The police do not have to be contacted if there is no serious injury and provided all parties involved have exchanged details.
See www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/advice/vehicles-and-roads/accidents/ - ‘Inconsiderate use of vehicles’ is one type of ASB (Anti-Social Behaviour) that is dealt with by the police, so can be used to report inconsiderate road/pavement behaviour, though it is generally related to repeated offences.
See www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/advice/neighbourhood-and-community/anti-social-behaviour/ - Collisions involving minor injury or damage can be reported to the police using the 101 phone number, or in person at a police station, or online. See www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact-us/report-a-crime-or-incident/
- For near-miss incidents involving cyclists there is a special form that can be used both by cyclists themselves (typically involving near-misses with vehicles) or by non-cyclists. See www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/advice/vehicles-and-roads/cycling/report-a-cycling-near-miss/
It can be very difficult for a pedestrian to gather sufficient evidence of an incident for the police to take further action. However, incidents should preferably be reported to the police even if there is little chance of prosecution. This allows the frequency of the offence to be estimated, and locations to be spotted that might warrant further action.
Incidents involving pedestrians/cyclists are definitely under-reported. This is mainly because the cyclists disappear without leaving their details! I have twice been injured by cyclists who were doing something unexpected (and illegal). The latest incident occurred on 2 August 2016, when I was mowed down by a cyclist riding on the pavement near Primark. I twisted out of the way, to avoid a head-on collision. The cyclist barely slowed down, as he ploughed on regardless. I tore the cartilage in my knee, and have suffered several months of impaired mobility.
Needless to say, I am not a great fan of ‘shared space’.