Bikmo's top pothole facts
We’ve all been on a drive or bike ride where we’ve had to make some quick manoeuvres around gaping holes in the road. Hitting these ominous black pits caused by the freezing and thawing of water, and general wear and tear put you at huge risk of injury and damage to your vehicle or bike.
Most UK cyclists are more than familiar with the pothole, but here are some facts about them that you might not know from the cyclists at Bikmo cycle insurance!
Potholes injure more than 3,400 cyclists each year
According to an article published in the Telegraph, in August 2015 figures showed how more than 3,400 cyclists were seriously injured or killed within 12 months, up by 1% on the previous year and by a third since the mid-2000’s.
Councils don’t have a duty to know and fix every defect
The legalities of pothole repair aren’t as straightforward as we would like to imagine.
According to an article published in the Guardian, “councils do not have a duty to know and fix every defect on the road. Rather, they must operate an inadequate system of inspection and maintenance.
This means they may not be automatically liable if they had no prior knowledge of the pothole.
You can report a hole as soon as you see one
For the above two reasons, it’s really important that cyclists and all forms of road users actively report a hole as soon as they see one.
There is a dedicated website just for the reporting of potholes in the UK – Fill That Hole.
53,353 Ford Focuses could fit into 2,202,000 potholes
The used car website Trusted Dealers once estimated that 59,353 Ford Focuses (chopped into tiny little pieces) could fit into the 2,020,000 potholes that were reported in the UK in 2011.
Granted, this is a very random fact to mention. But, it does illustrate the scale of the problem on our roads.
A pothole must be more than 40mm deep
Officially, according to the Well-Maintained Highways Code of Practice.
In order to count as a pothole, the hole must be at least 40mm deep. That’s about the height of two stacked 20p coins.
The frequency to resurface a road is between 10-20 years
You could consider potholes as portals to the past. Given that the perfect frequency to resurface a road is between 10 and 20 years.
We imagine that if a pothole transcends a few decades worth of tarmac, you could technically be on vintage roads.
There is a 6ft wide pothole dubbed the ‘swimming pool’
In 2014 in Devon, residents reported a six-foot-wide pothole dubbed the ‘swimming pool’ and claimed it to be the largest in the country.
One pothole for every mile
A few years ago, it was reported that there was a pothole for every mile of the road in the UK and that the combined size of them took up a total area of more than 295 square miles – more than twice the size of the Isle of Wight.
…and lastly
Irishman Liam Keane once found a pothole so big that he went for a swim in it.
In an interview, he said: “It was deep all right. It was about 5ft deep and very, very cold. But I’m a mad fella so I went for it”.
Stay Protected with Bikmo Cycle Insurance 🚴♀️💥
Potholes can appear out of nowhere and cause serious damage to your bike - or worse, result in an accident.
It’s worth checking your home insurance policy, as it may not provide the cover you require, such as:
- Personal accident cover – is usually not included
- Maximum value – the maximum insured bike value can be as low as £500
- Away from home – there’s also often an ‘abandonment clause’ that classes bikes as ‘abandoned’ after only a few hours cycling away from home
At Bikmo, we believe you shouldn’t have to stress about unexpected mishaps. That’s why our award-winning cycle insurance policies can cover:
- Damage to your bike caused by potholes
- Accidental injuries and medical expenses
- Theft and vandalism
All while away with your caravan, motorhome or campervan^, worldwide, 24/7, when booked through the Club, for members and non-members.
Why Bikmo?
🚴♀️ Tens of thousands of riders insure with Bikmo.
⭐ Bikmo holds the prestigious Feefo Platinum Service Award for great service.
🌎 Bikmo is a B Corp and 1% for the Planet certified, meaning we give 1% of our annual revenue back to good causes focussed on the environment.
- 12 months for the price of 11* for Club members
- 25% discount* on e-bike policies (compared to regular bicycles ones)
- 50% saving when insuring multiple bikes, covering the whole family on the same policy
- 14 days’ FREE insurance on ALL new bikes. No card details or cancellation required! Activation required within 7 days of purchase of new bike. Visit Bikmo’s Caravan and Motorhome Club bike insurance page to activate your cover.
Bikmo’s hassle-free cover, when bought through the Club, includes:
There are also options for personal cover for you too.
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* 12 months for the price of 11 is applied as an 8.33% discount. Minimum premium £3.73/mo and policy wording applies. This promotion is provided by Bikmo Limited, Glendale House, Sandycroft Industrial Estate, Flintshire, Wales CH5 2QP, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ref. 745230.
^ Subject to Bikmo’s locking requirements. Enhanced cover benefits: available to all members and non-members; available when purchasing a Bikmo policy via www.caravanclub.co.uk/bicycleinsurance; enhanced cover benefits will be applied as endorsements and shown on your schedule.