Marlborough Walking and Cycling Strategy Crashes involving cyclists There was a total of 142 cycle crashes reported to the Police in the Marlborough District during the ten year period from 2000 to 2009. Of these, 28 (or 20%) resulted in fatal or serious injuries. Cycle crashes made up 3.9% of all crashes in Marlborough during this period; they accounted for 2% of fatal crashes and 11% of serious crashes. Of the cycle crashes, one cyclist was killed, 27 were seriously injured and 90 received minor injuries. Figure 3: Cycle crashes by year and injury for 1999 to 2008 Comparisons with other localities The following two figures show that Marlborough District has a disproportionately high proportion of cyclist casualties when compared with other similar localities and New Zealand as a whole. This is particularly true for urban roads. Rural roads also display the same trend, although it is less pronounced given the lower levels of cycling on rural roads that result from greater travel distance requirements. Both rural and urban roads are noted to have a statistically different crash proportion compared with both Marlborough’s peer group (D) and all of New Zealand. The observed trend can in part be explained by Marlborough’s higher than average cycle mode share. Census journey to work data for 2006 show that 5% of people in Marlborough commuted by cycle; twice as much as the national average of 2.5%. A higher mode share for cyclists unfortunately results in a higher proportion of total crashes. However, as the mode share is still relatively low it is not logical than a doubling in mode share should equate to a doubling in the proportion of total crashes. The crash data comparisons suggest that significant efforts need to be made to improve safety of cycling in Marlborough. vii