⚠️ Potholes aren’t just a nuisance—they’re a real danger!
❄️ January and February are peak pothole season on UK roads!
With the cold weather and heavy rain, estimates say there are over a million potholes on the roads. For drivers, potholes are usually just an inconvenience, but they can damage cars if they’re big enough.
🚴♀️ For cyclists, however, they’re much more dangerous!
Potholes can damage bikes, from punctured tires to bent wheels or even a broken frame. Even worse, they can cause serious injuries, like bruises, broken limbs, or head injuries—and in tragic cases, have led to fatalities from accidents or being thrown into traffic.
📊 A survey of UK cyclists for National Pothole Day 2022 found that 21% had an accident because of a pothole, 22% of those were injured, and 63% had damage to their bikes.
Make sure to keep enough distance and ride slightly away from the edge to avoid potential hazards.
💥 How Potholes Form
Potholes are collapsed areas in the asphalt caused by a mix of bad weather and traffic pressure.
The main issue is the freeze-and-thaw cycle that happens frequently during a British winter.
Roads develop cracks from normal wear and tear.
Water seeps into these cracks and turns to ice when it freezes. The ice expands, causing further damage to the road.
When the ice melts, it leaves a gap, and repeated throughout winter, this process forms potholes.
The weight of cars makes things worse!
The heavier and larger the vehicles—especially SUVs—the more the road weakens, and the more potholes form.
If it seems like UK roads are full of potholes, that’s true.
Cold, wet winters followed by warmer spells, combined with a lack of road maintenance, create the perfect conditions for potholes to form.
Quieter back roads, often favored by cyclists, are even more likely to be affected.
Estimates say there are around six potholes per mile on council-controlled roads in England and Wales,
and potholes contributed to more than 22,000 vehicle breakdowns in 2024.
The estimated cost to repair potholes in England and Wales alone is around £17 billion. 🚧
Always stay alert while riding to avoid any surprises on the road.
🛡️ Avoiding potholes is always the best option!
🚴♂️ Before heading out on your bike, make sure your tyres are in excellent condition!
This reduces the risk of damage or problems while riding.
💨 You can let a little air out of your tyre to improve comfort and grip, but don’t go below the recommended pressure, as this can cause a pinch puncture if you hit a sharp edge of a pothole.
If you’re using tubeless tyres, this won’t be an issue.
❄️ You can also switch your tyres to sturdier winter versions.
If there’s enough clearance, wider tyres give better grip. Some people even have a dedicated winter bike!
⚠️ The best approach is to avoid potholes whenever possible.
If you usually ride on quiet roads, consider switching to main roads that are better maintained and well lit.
🌙 If you ride at night, make sure your front and rear lights are bright enough to spot any potential hazards.
The law requires lights if you’re riding between sunset and sunrise.
⏱️ Potholes can form overnight, so stay alert and ride at a safe speed.
Set off early to give yourself plenty of time, and watch the road ahead, especially discolored patches.
Keeping an eye on other cyclists helps too—any sudden swerve could indicate a hazard.
👀 Being alert to any hazards gives you more time to react.
Sudden swerving can be dangerous, so your position on the road matters.
Staying away from the kerb gives you space to maneuver safely, whether left or right.
💦 And finally, never ride through puddles, no matter how tempting.
Standing water can easily hide a deep and dangerous pothole.
❌ Don’t ride through it!
⚠️ ⚠️ Sometimes avoiding a pothole isn’t possible, so it’s important to know how to ride safely!
If there’s time and the pothole isn’t too big, you might try to dodge it with a quick maneuver.
This involves turning the handlebars quickly in one direction and then back, so the front wheel steers around the pothole while you and the rear wheel pass over it.
But if you have any doubts about doing this, it’s best not to try.
There’s a risk that the front wheel goes one way while you and the rear wheel go another.
If you have no choice but to ride over the pothole, stand slightly off the saddle and keep your pedals level.
Lean your body back and press your heels against the pedals to brace your feet.
Keeping your weight behind the bike reduces the chance of going over the handlebars.
👐 Hold the handlebars firmly, but stay relaxed. Keep your elbows and knees slightly bent.
Hit the pothole square on and ride straight over it.
Don’t try to steer and don’t brake — now is not the time to take your hands off the bars!
If You Hit the Pothole
⚠️ If all attempts to avoid it fail and you end up hitting the pothole, there are a few steps you should follow.
First, check yourself and your bike for any damage. If you’re injured, make sure to get medical attention if needed.
If you or your bike have been damaged, seek legal advice.
Note the date and time, and if there are any witnesses, get their details so your solicitor can take a full statement if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
📸 Try to take photos of the pothole, and record its depth, width, and position on the road.
Also document any injuries to yourself or damage to your bike or clothing.
If you received medical attention, keep a record of your medical notes and any prescribed medication.
Cycling UK members get free advice from our legal partners, Cycle SOS, and full insurance provides peace of mind.
Members also receive discounts on cycle insurance from Bikmo.
Fill That Hole
🏛️ Local authorities are responsible for maintaining roads within their area, including fixing potholes.
They are required to carry out regular inspections, but they can’t repair potholes if they don’t know about them, and potholes form quickly.
Authorities rely on road users to report potholes, and this is where you come in!
Cycling UK’s Fill That Hole app lets you report any potholes quickly and easily.
All you need to do is fill in the form with the required details, and it will be sent automatically to the relevant authority.
The form also allows you to report other road hazards or issues.
The website is mobile-friendly, so you don’t need to download an app—just bookmark the page and you’re ready to go.
🚴♂️ Reporting any potholes you come across while riding helps make the roads safer for everyone!
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