One crash a day involving cyclists and pedestrians: 50% rise in accidents in the past seven years 

• Accidents rose from 274 in 2009 to 408 in 2015, a 47 per cent increase 
• In several collisions, pedestrians were killed and the cyclist was prosecuted
• Biggest regional spike was London, which rose from 124 in 2009 to 226 in 2015

The number of accidents between cyclists and pedestrians has soared by almost 50 per cent in seven years.

One crash on pavements or roads now takes place every day as the number of cyclists increases. The total number of accidents rose to 408 in 2015, according to official figures, a significant jump from the 274 in 2009.

They involved several collisions in which pedestrians were killed and the cyclists were subsequently prosecuted for reckless behaviour.

Campaigners branded the figures worrying and said more work needs to be done to keep all those on the pavements and roads safe.

The statistics emerged after police in one north London borough said they would no longer pursue cyclists seen riding on the pavement. Instead of receiving a fixed £50 penalty, they will be asked why they are not on the road.

Research by analysts Mapmechanics found over the seven-year period, 3,476 people were injured – 696 seriously. The Department for Transport figures showed accidents between cyclists and pedestrians left 525 casualties, including two deaths, in 2015 – a 47 per cent increase from 2009.

The biggest regional spike was in London, where accidents jumped from 124 in 2009 to 226 in 2015.

Among the most serious crashes was that involving Philip Benwell, who knocked down a schoolgirl and left her for dead after jumping a red light in 2013.

He was jailed for a year after admitting causing grievous bodily harm. He was initially charged with ‘wanton and furious cycling’ under a law enacted in 1861.

Another cyclist, Darryl Gittoes, was also jailed for a year in 2015 after knocking down a 73-year-old woman in Hereford while riding without brakes and a flat rear tyre. The victim died nine days later.

David Cockrell, of Mapmechanics, said many accidents will have taken place at crossings, junctions or on pavements.

‘Trying to prevent accidents and injuries caused by cyclist and pedestrian crashes remains a significant challenge for the authorities,’ he said.

Tompion Platt, of Living Streets, a charity which campaigns for ‘everyday walking’, called for more to be done to protect pedestrians.

‘Mixing people walking and cycling together can cause fear and even serious injury,’ he said.

But Sam Jones, of Cycling UK, said the ‘perception’ of a conflict between cyclists and pedestrians ‘simply does not exist’, pointing out that most serious or fatal accidents involving pedestrians are due to collisions with motor vehicles.

He said: ‘We appreciate the concern but we cannot agree [pavement cycling] is the danger many believe it must be.’