Birmingham brain injury experts are launching a series of hard-hitting campaigns to help city cyclists stay safe on Tuesday 9 December.

With the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) treating up to 83 cycling-related injuries in just one month, consultant neurosurgeon Professor Tony Belli and his colleagues in the hospital’s trauma research team are kicking off the drive with "It’s Vital to be Visible".

The campaign aims to raise public awareness and reduce injuries by encouraging cyclists to wear protective gear such as high-visibility clothing and helmets and to use equipment such as reflectors and lights to make them more visible to drivers.

Professor Belli, Director of the National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (NIHR SRMRC), said: “QEHB is a Major Trauma Centre and has one of the busiest emergency departments in the UK.

“Cycling is a great sport but shockingly, in one month alone, the hospital has treated up to 83 cycling-related injuries.

“With the dark nights and mornings making cyclists harder to see on the roads, we hope that our campaign will remind cyclists that it’s vital to be visible.”

Reflecting the hospital’s statistics, Birmingham City Council has also reported a rise in the number of road traffic collisions in the city involving cyclists when the clocks go back. In the years 2011 to 2013 there were 89 accidents in October and 87 in September. In August there were 70.

In a bid to reduce the number of traumatic injuries, Professor Belli is encouraging everyone to join him and the NIHR SRMRC team at a stand in the hospital’s main entrance between 10:00 and 15:00 on Tuesday 9 December.

Visitors will be able to pick up free high-vis jackets, reflectors and seat covers (subject to availability) and enter free prize draws to win a stylish rucksack full of cycle safety goodies and a free bike service. There will also be the opportunity to talk to cycling experts and see a demonstration of bike maintenance by an ex-international cyclist.

To find out more about the work of the trauma research team please visit the Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre website. To show your support for the campaign please tweet using #VitalToBeVisible.