Cycling deaths in 2012 hit a five-year high, as 122 cyclists were killed on Britain’s roads last year.

Reflecting the boom in cycling among people of all ages and backgrounds, the victims last year defied most stereotyping of cyclists.

The two youngest people killed on their bike were just 8 years old. The oldest was 94. Sixteen teenagers died while five of the victims were aged 12 or under. Most of the fatalities were men, but eight were women. The vast majority were simply daily commuters or young children out for a ride on their bikes when they were killed.

Fourteen cyclists died in London and three around Edinburgh, while two were killed on the same rural stretch of the A1 in Nottinghamshire. Two young