OBJECTIVES: To estimate the societal costs of cycling accidents in Tasmania, Australia METHODS: Between July 2011 and March 2012, 136 regular cyclists completed a telephone-based questionnaire. Information collected included demographics, cycling habits and details of major (requiring medical treatment or days off work) and minor (not requiring medical treatment or whole days off work) cycling accidents. The societal costs of accidents in 2011 Australian Dollars ($) were estimated from self-reported medical resource consumption and lost work and leisure time, combined with published medical resource unit costs and salary data.  RESULTS: Participants reported 59 major accidents in 5 years preceding the interview, and 27 minor accidents in the previous 12 months. The mean total costs per major accident were $12,158, including direct medical costs $2,228, direct non-medical costs $372, resulted in 3.7 days off work equating to indirect costs of $6,027 and 54.5 days of lost leisure time equivalent to $3,531. The average costs of a minor accident were $632 and included direct non-medical costs of $225, productivity losses of $117 and 5.2 days of lost leisure time valued at $290. The total annual costs to society of major cycling accidents in Tasmania were estimated at $4,123,445.  CONCLUSIONS: Costs resulting from both minor and major cycling accidents are substantial. The costs of improvements to cycling infrastructure/safety may be offset by reduced costs to society of cycling accidents.