MORE than 15 cyclists a week were injured in road accidents last year, up 6% on 2010, while the overall level of road crash casualties and deaths fell to a historic low.

New Scottish Government statistics revealed there were 824 injuries involving pedal cyclists recorded in 2011, a 9% increase on the average from 2004-2008. Of these, serious injuries were up 16% to 156 over the same period.

The number of cyclists killed remained the same as 2010, at seven.

The figures were described as "appalling" by the Green Party and were met with disappointment by cycling groups and safety campaigners, who called for further investment in road safety to protect cyclists.

However, it is not clear whether cycling has actually become more dangerous, as the spike in accidents and serious injuries has accompanied a surge of interest in the activity.

Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, has recorded a 19% increase in the number of journeys made on the National Cycle Network across the UK, and the number of road journeys made by bike is also thought to have increased.

The figures follow a national summit to improve cycle safety convened by Transport Minister Keith Brown following the deaths of three cyclists in Edinburgh earlier this year.

Ian Aitken, chief executive of Cycling Scotland, said: "Strong leadership and partnership between the Scottish Government and local authorities is needed to put the correct measures in place to make sure anybody feels safe to cycle on Scotland's roads."

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian, added: "I'm sure SNP ministers will be as appalled as I am at these figures. The Scottish Government is failing to keep pace with the growing appetite for cycling."

While welcoming the overall reduction in road casualties, Mr Brown said "more must be done" to improve safety.

He said: "Earlier this year I convened a meeting of the road safety group to focus on cycle safety and we have launched our first-ever TV advertising campaign, Give Me Cycle Space, aimed at encouraging drivers to look out for cyclists.

"Bikeability Scotland will also give every school child the opportunity for on-road cycle training and we are working with cycling organisations and lobby groups to increase and improve bike use in Scotland.

"There is also a key role for local authorities in investing in 20mph zones and cycling facilities. We do not wish to see repeats of the recent accidents involving cyclists, and our collective efforts must be redoubled to make cycling a safe travel option."

The latest casualty figures, which are provisional, show there were 12,763 road accident injuries and deaths in 2011, 575 fewer than the previous year, continuing a trend over the last half-century for accident reductions.

The number killed also fell, from 208 to 186. However, the recession and high fuel prices have led to a reduction in cars on the road.

There were 1315 child casualties last year, 63 fewer than in 2010. This includes seven deaths, five of which were car passengers. Pedestrian casualties rose by 2% to 2057, but there were four fewer deaths.