IF you are an avid cyclist in Bolton you might want to pay attention to this article.

Using Crash Map, we can reveal the accident hotspots in and around the town for cyclists.

The app uses official data from The Department of Transport, which it then inputs onto an interactive map.

It shows you where ‘fatal’, ‘serious’ and ‘slight’ driving collisions have taken place in your area.

We have already looked at the most dangerous roads in Bolton, with St George’s Road and Chorley New Road among the areas with the highest number of incidents in 2020.

Now it is time to focus our attention on cyclists and where the most collisions involving pedal cycles took place last year.

Staying safe while cycling

Transport for Greater Manchester posted a free map of Bolton’s cycle routes on their website.

To ensure you stay safe while cycling, consider following these tips and guidelines from road safety charity, Think!:

Advice for cyclists

  • Ride decisively and keep clear of the kerb.
  • Look and signal to show drivers what you plan to do, make eye contact where possible.
  • Avoid riding up the inside of vehicles, as you might not be seen. If a vehicle is indicating to the left hang back at the junction to reduce the risk of a collision.
  • Always use lights after dark or when visibility is poor. Wear high-visibility and reflective clothing and accessories at all times
  • Wear a correctly fitted cycle helmet that is securely fastened and conforms to current regulations.
  • Your local council can help you plan your journey by providing maps showing dedicated paths and routes.
  • Where possible, try to maintain social distancing when you cycle, for example when waiting at crossings and traffic lights.
  • Where using bikes (private, docked or dockless) wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands before and after cycling.

Advice for drivers

  • If driving, you should anticipate more cyclists than usual, especially at peak times of day.
  • Look out for cyclists. Make eye contact where possible to show you have seen them. Use your indicators to signal intentions and look out for their signals.
  • Give cyclists plenty of space when overtaking them.
  • Always check for cyclists when opening your car door, pulling out at a junction, or when doing a manoeuvre.
  • Advanced stop lines at lights allow vulnerable road users (e.g. cyclists) to get to the front and increase their visibility. You must stop at the first white line reached if the lights are amber or red. When the green signal shows allow the other road user time and space to move off.
  • Allow other road users to maintain social distance, where possible. For example, give cyclists space at traffic lights. Public Health England recommends keeping a 2 metre distance from others, where possible.

Bolton roads with collisions involving cyclists in 2020

Serious accidents

Long Lane

Chorley New Road

Slight accidents

Mayor Street

Folds Road

Hulton Lane

Junction between Church Street and Longworth Road- two slight accidents occurred here last year, one in April and one in May.

Chequerbent roundabout

Cricketers Way

Manchester Road, Kearsley

Fatal accidents

Thankfully, no fatal accidents took place in Bolton last year.

However, there were some tragic accidents in the surrounding Bury and Darwen areas.

A fatal accident took place on the New Road, Horrobin Lane junction in Rivington last May.

A mal cyclist was riding an electric mountain bike when he collided with a van.

Another fatal accident occurred on Manchester Road near St Michael’s Church.

A father-of-four, who was riding a quad bike, was pronounced dead at the scene.