CYCLISTS are being offered tips on staying safe on East Lancashire’s roads.

Police are urging riders to wear helmets and appropriate safety clothing when riding their bike after an increase in the number of cyclists killed and seriously injured in the region.

They also advised riding clear of the kerb, avoiding riding on the inside of large vehicles and to use lights when visibility is poor.

Between April 2013 and July 2013, 53 cyclists were killed and seriously injured on Lancashire’s roads compared to 29 in the same period the previous year.

Chief Insp Debbie Howard, from the road policing unit, said: “We have seen an increase in the popularity of cycling in recent years so there are now more cyclists on our roads.

“Despite falling trends in the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads, the proportion of casualties which cyclists account for is an increasing one.

“Cyclists can leave themselves vulnerable when riding on our roads and we want to remind them to wear a cycling helmet and safety clothing.”