A pioneering UCL study using helmet cameras and GPS highlights the increased risk for cyclists during peak hours, especially on roads lacking dedicated cycling lanes, prompting calls for safer infrastructure in London.
A recent study conducted by University College London (UCL) has underscored the critical safety challenges faced by cyclists on roads lacking dedicated cycling infrastructure, particularly during rush hour periods. The research, involving 60 London cyclists equipped with 360-degree helmet cameras and GPS devices over two weeks, recorded 94 near-miss incidents from 317 hours of footage, despite no actual collisions occurring during the study period.
The study, believed to be the first to combine video footage, GPS data, and verbal reporting to analyse cycling near misses, revealed that the majority of these incidents, 58 out of 94, occurred during peak commuting times between 7am and 10am, and 5pm and 8pm. Additionally, 69 of the near misses took place on roads without dedicated cycling lanes, highlighting the heightened risk in the absence of proper cycling infrastructure.
Professor Nicola Christie from the UCL Centre for Transport Studies, the study’s senior author, emphasised the importance of near-miss data in understanding road safety, noting that such incidents are often overlooked in official road safety statistics despite their significance in indicating risk. Her observations pointed to junctions as particularly hazardous locations for cyclists.
Supporting these findings, Dr James Haworth of UCL’s SpaceTimeLab highlighted that higher cycling speeds and the use of quieter, residential cycle routes, formerly known as ‘quietways,’ were linked to fewer near misses. This suggests that routing cycleways through less congested streets can effectively reduce cyclist-vehicle conflicts. However, the study also documented near misses on segregated cycleways, previously named cycle superhighways, where interactions occur at side roads or junctions, especially during periods of congestion with reduced visibility.
These insights come against a backdrop of growing cycling activity across Great Britain, which saw a 39% increase in cycling between 2004 and 2024. While cyclist fatalities have fallen by 35% to 82 deaths in 2024, the number of serious injuries has paradoxically risen by 16% to 3,822 incidents. This trend underscores the complexity of cycling safety and the urgent need for targeted infrastructure improvements.
The UCL project is part of a broader research effort, including the 100 Cyclists Project, which gathers detailed data on cycling risks to inform policy and safety interventions. Funded by The Road Safety Trust, which funded the study, this research aims to develop robust tools for monitoring cycling safety and evaluating the effectiveness of cycling infrastructure and road safety policies.
Ruth Purdie OBE, Chief Executive of The Road Safety Trust, stressed the importance of comprehensively understanding near misses to guide infrastructure improvements that genuinely support safe cycling. The full study report offers detailed recommendations for enhancing cycle safety through infrastructure design and policy changes.
Additional research corroborates the protective effect of dedicated cycling infrastructure. For example, a study published in Accident Analysis and Prevention also used helmet-mounted cameras and GPS to identify factors contributing to near misses, further affirming the role of dedicated cycling lanes in reducing risks. Complementary research employing virtual reality simulations has shown that protected bike lanes not only enhance safety but also reduce cyclists’ stress levels, a critical factor in overall road user experience.
Together, these findings provide a compelling case for bolstering dedicated cycling infrastructure that prioritises safe, well-planned routes, particularly away from main traffic arteries and through quieter residential streets. Yet, they also warn that segregated cycle paths must be carefully designed to mitigate risks at conflict points such as junctions.
This body of work advances the understanding of cyclist safety in urban environments and offers valuable evidence to guide the ongoing push for safer, more cyclist-friendly cities.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (Highways Magazine) – Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- [2] (UCL News) – Paragraphs 1, 3
- [3] (UCL 100 Cyclists Project) – Paragraph 7
- [4] (Road Safety Trust Report) – Paragraphs 1, 4, 7, 8
- [5] (Accident Analysis and Prevention) – Paragraph 8
- [6] (ArXiv study on road design) – Paragraph 8
- [7] (Road Safety Trust UCL Project) – Paragraph 7
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is based on a recent press release from University College London (UCL) dated 28 October 2025, indicating high freshness. ([ucl.ac.uk](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/oct/cycling-near-misses-london-worst-rush-hour-and-roads-without-dedicated-infrastructure?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Professor Nicola Christie and Dr James Haworth are consistent with those in the UCL press release, suggesting originality. ([ucl.ac.uk](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/oct/cycling-near-misses-london-worst-rush-hour-and-roads-without-dedicated-infrastructure?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from UCL, a reputable academic institution, and is corroborated by the Road Safety Trust, enhancing its reliability. ([ucl.ac.uk](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/oct/cycling-near-misses-london-worst-rush-hour-and-roads-without-dedicated-infrastructure?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The findings align with existing research on cycling safety, and the study’s methodology is robust, involving 60 cyclists over two weeks with comprehensive data collection. ([ucl.ac.uk](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/oct/cycling-near-misses-london-worst-rush-hour-and-roads-without-dedicated-infrastructure?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and originates from a reliable source. The claims are plausible and supported by the study’s methodology and existing research.
