The number of cyclists taken to hospital after crashes involving other cyclists rose 40% between 2008 and 2012, according to the Dutch road safety body VeiligheidNL.

In particular, the number of people on racing bikes who ended up in hospital more than doubled between 2010 and 2012 to 4,200, VeiligheidNL said in a new report. Men over the age of 40 accounted for 60% of those injured.

However, the number of cyclists hitting other objects, such as cars and road signs fell.

Busier cycle lanes

At the same time, the amount of time racing cyclists spend on their bikes has dropped by 20% since 2010 and their number has remained stable at around 1.5 million.

‘There would appear to be an increase in the number of cyclists and there are indications cycle lanes are getting busier,’ the organisation said.

Racing bike users admit that around one-third of the accidents they are involved in take place in built-up areas and that most occur on cycle lanes. And half admit they made a mistake in judging the likely behaviour of the other cyclist.

However, almost three out of four racing cyclists said the other cyclist caused the accident.