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This week’s four‑day Tube strike (8–11 September 2025) has brought most of London’s Underground network to a standstill, leaving thousands of commuters searching for alternatives. With trains out of action, cycling quickly became the go-to option and there was a clear surge in cycle hire.
Operators such as Lime and Forest reported significant increases in ridership, with many people relying on their bikes for full commutes rather than just short hops. Santander cycles, too, were in high demand, with busy docks and full racks across the city. The sight of crowded cycle routes and packed docking stations was a striking reminder that when the Underground grinds to a halt, it is cyclists who help keep London moving and ensuring their safety must be paramount.
Risks rise when roads fill up
While cycling is a healthy, sustainable way to travel, it comes with inherent dangers. Cyclists are more likely than other road users to be killed or seriously injured. During strike weeks, conditions can deteriorate further: inexperienced riders join heavy traffic, bad weather arrives and road rules may be disregarded. Reports from across the city describe buses, lorries, taxis, pedestrians and bikes vying for space at busy junctions. At Holborn gyratory, where traffic from Procter Street merges with westbound High Holborn, congestion on Tuesday morning was compounded by Tube strike disruption and rain. When signals are ignored and cyclists jump red lights, near‑misses become commonplace and frustrated drivers add to the chaos.
Tragic reminders
Sadly, previous strikes have coincided with serious incidents. In March 2022, a corporate lawyer was killed after a collision with a lorry near Holborn station during a strike. The commuter’s death marked the eighth cyclist fatality at that gyratory since 2008 and drew renewed attention to overdue safety improvements. Heavy strike‑day traffic and poor weather contributed to conditions that campaigners described as “lethally dangerous”. These tragedies underscore the importance of careful riding and robust infrastructure whenever the city’s transport system is disrupted.
Top tips for safer cycling during Tube strikes
When more people take to two wheels—especially those who rarely cycle—safety becomes paramount. The following tips combine general road sense with guidance from cycling charities and CWJ’s own safety advice:
• Make sure your bike is roadworthy: Check brakes, tyre pressures and lights before each ride. Strange noises, vibrations or jumping gears can signal a problem.
• Learn how to control your bike: Practise emergency stops, safe swerves, using gears properly, signalling confidently with one hand and looking directly behind you.
• Don’t be afraid to use roads—but avoid the pavement: Riding on the pavement is illegal; instead, take your place in the road. If you’re nervous, consider a cycling‑confidence course.
• Position yourself safely in traffic: Stay away from the gutter; ride at least a car‑door’s width from parked vehicles and hold the middle of the lane when necessary.
• Look behind regularly and communicate: Check behind before changing position or signalling; hand signals and eye contact help drivers understand your intentions.
• Approach junctions and roundabouts correctly: Take the centre of your lane when turning left, right or going straight ahead; avoid undertaking lorries or buses and give yourself time at traffic lights.
• Be aware of large vehicles and blind spots: Never cycle on the kerb side of an HGV at a junction; if you can’t see the driver’s mirrors, assume they can’t see you.
• Wear protective gear and use lights: A well‑fitted helmet, reflective clothing and working front and rear lights can greatly improve your visibility.
• Plan your route and adapt to conditions: Use dedicated cycle routes where possible; slow down and allow longer stopping distances in rain or poor visibility.
• Consider formal training: Local authorities often provide subsidised cycle training—a worthwhile investment in your safety.
What to do if you’re involved in a cycling accident
Even with precautions, accidents can happen. If you’re injured, your priority is to get to safety and seek medical treatment. Call emergency services if needed; seemingly minor injuries can later prove serious. When injury or damage has occurred, report the incident to the police and exchange details with everyone involved. If possible, collect evidence at the scene: names and contact details of witnesses, photographs of road layout, vehicles and conditions, and images of your injuries. Keep a record of medical treatment, receipts for expenses such as medication and travel, and notes of any time off work. Avoid admitting fault or apologising—liability can be complex and should be assessed later. If a motor vehicle is involved, notify insurers, but do not accept a settlement before seeking independent advice. Speak to an experienced personal injury solicitor as soon as you can; early advice helps preserve evidence that may disappear quickly.
Making a claim after a cycling accident
If your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Common causes include collisions with careless motorists, “dooring” when a car passenger opens a door into a cyclist’s path, lorries turning left without seeing a cyclist in their blind spot, or poor road surfaces and defective hire bikes. Compensation can cover medical treatment and rehabilitation costs, lost earnings, the cost of specialist equipment or counselling, damage to your bike and kit, and damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
Time limits and exceptions. In most cases you have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim. However, there are exceptions: if you only become aware of your injuries later, the clock may start from the “date of knowledge”; minors have until their 21st birthday; there is no time limit when claiming on behalf of someone without mental capacity; and claims following a fatal accident usually run from the date of death. If the other party was uninsured or cannot be identified, claims can still proceed through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
How CWJ can help
At Clarkson Wright & Jakes, our personal injury team has many years of experience representing cyclists injured through no fault of their own. Many of us are club, commuting and social cyclists, so we understand the challenges riders face. We handle most cycling injury claims on a no win, no fee basis, meaning there’s no cost to you to start a claim and our fees are only due if we secure compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a cycling accident—whether during the Tube strikes or at any other time—we’re here to help. We offer a free initial consultation to explain your options. Call us on 01689 887887 or email cwj@cwj.co.uk to speak with one of our specialist solicitors.
Cycling remains a sustainable and enjoyable way to get around London, but the recent strikes highlight how quickly conditions can become hazardous. By taking sensible precautions and knowing your legal rights, you can protect yourself on the road. With the right support, injured cyclists can recover the compensation they deserve and look to the future with confidence.