THE number of cyclists and motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on Derbyshire's roads has soared in the past 12 months, possibly due to the economic crisis.

New figures show that, in 2009, 170 motorcyclists were seriously or fatally injured – a third up on the 128 in 2008.

And the number of cyclists badly hurt has risen to 57, up 19% from the previous 12 months, when the figure was 48.

The rises have led to a five percent overall increase in the total number of fatalities and serious injuries on the region's roads. Last year's total was 566, compared to 538 in 2008.

Rob Hill, from the Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership, which tries to reduce casualties, said the recession may be to blame as drivers and riders look to save cash.

He said: "Motorcyclists are a high casualty group anyway. Unfortunately, the causes for a lot of crashes relate – certainly on rural roads – to rider error.

"There has been a steady increase in the number of people buying motorcycles. Some of the increase in usage is because of the economic downturn, because it's cheaper to run motorcycles than cars.

"People may also be cycling more because it is a cheaper mode of transport."

There had been an increase in the use of more powerful bikes on country roads too from "leisure riders", he said.

They will be targeted in a high-visibility campaign being carried out on 13 roads classed as accident black spots.

Mr Hill said the partnership had seen some successes, though, in terms of a reduction in the number of children and young drivers badly hurt.

Of the 566 deaths and serious injuries on Derbyshire's roads last year, 117 were in Derby and 449 were in the county, while 45 of the victims were children.

The majority of motorcyclists injured were on high-powered 500cc-and-above machines – 105 of the 170.

However, the number of pedestrians badly hurt fell from 99 to 87 in the 12-month period, along with the number of young car drivers, which dropped to 43 from 53.

Meanwhile, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has also seen a rise in the number of road crashes to which it has been called out in the last three months.

It has blamed the bad weather for failing to meet its targets for the number of crashes it was called to, along with the number of trapped motorists it frees.

In the three months to the end of February, it was called to 203 smashes – eight per cent above its 188 target – and rescued 63 people.

Matt Herrick, road safety officer for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It's been the worst winter for 30 years, with very icy roads.

"The severe weather has also left roads in a worse condition than previously, with potholes."

Mr Herrick said the fire service was analysing where vehicles involved in smashes had come from.

It was also working with the road safety partnership to target young drivers, he said.