Spring cycling season brings spike in accidents – how to avoid emergency room visits

Spring and early summer mark a dangerous period for cyclists in Denmark, with April, May, and June seeing a sharp rise in serious accidents, according to a report by Danish broadcaster DR.

Data from the Danish Road Directorate and Statistics Denmark reveal that eight out of ten cycling accidents treated in emergency rooms are single-vehicle incidents—often caused by cyclists failing to follow traffic rules. Jakob Bøving Arendt, CEO of the Council for Safe Traffic, offers three key recommendations to reduce risks.

Keep both hands on the handlebars

Distractions, particularly mobile phones, are a leading cause of cycling accidents. Arendt emphasizes that even brief glances at a phone—whether to send a message, answer a call, or change music—can lead to loss of control.

“One hand on the phone means one hand off the handlebars, but the bigger issue is that your focus shifts away from traffic,” he warns. The same applies to eating, drinking, or using nicotine products while cycling, which create a false sense of security and encourage reckless habits.

Obey traffic signals

Running red lights or failing to check intersections properly is another major hazard. Arendt notes that many cyclists take unnecessary risks, especially at traffic lights, where a significant number of accidents occur.

“Cutting corners saves little time while endangering yourself and others,” he says. Cyclists must treat yellow lights as a stop signal and always scan crossings—every single time—before proceeding.

Be a predictable cyclist

To improve overall safety, Arendt urges cyclists to adopt considerate behavior: signal turns clearly, maintain a steady line, and avoid erratic movements caused by distractions.

“Be the cyclist you’d want to encounter—visible, predictable, and attentive,” he advises.

With warmer weather drawing more riders onto the roads, following these guidelines could help reverse the seasonal spike in cycling-related injuries.