The number of cyclists and motorists on our roads are increasing each year. This brings increased risk to both cyclists and motorists as more road users share our roads. 85% of accidents involving motor vehicles and cyclists are a direct result of the cyclist being hit from behind by the motor vehicle.
Founded in 1976, the Pedal Power Association is a Public Benefit Organisation committed to promote cycling and the interests of cyclists.’
Rob Booth leads the Phill Liggett Ride.
“The PPA’s new STAY WIDER OF THE RIDER campaign that launched in February this year aims to create maximum safe cycling awareness for cyclists amongst drivers that will hopefully lead to safer roads for our cyclists,” says Steve Hayward, chairman of the PPA.
“The PPA strives to keep cyclists on our roads safe and therefore the next most common cycling safety advice after ‘always wear a helmet’ is to ‘always obey the rules of the road’. Obeying the rules of the road is not enough to keep our cyclists safe, not by a long shot. ” explains Hayward. “Cyclists also need to take necessary precautions to stay safe on the roads.”
“The law tells us motorists must not pass cyclists unless it is safe to do so. Cyclists, however, also need to be alert and always on the lookout for potential dangers on the road itself. Cyclists must be aware of their own safety and not ride too far to the left close to the gutter as it leaves them no space to safely avoid obstacles other than swerving to the right and into the path of passing motor vehicles” continues Rob Booth, Chairman Convenor of the #staywider safety campaign. “Common causes of accidents from being too far left include car doors being opened in front of an oncoming cyclist, motorists pulling out of driveways and parking bays how does this impact on being too far left?, and motorists approaching from behind passing too closely in the same lane because they think they can squeeze past without changing lanes. ”
Phil Liggett Ride with Gugu Zulu.
“Many accidents are caused by motor vehicle’s turning in front of cyclists, they need to ensure that they are as visible as is possible to avoid becoming a statistic,” says Booth. Get a rear light and use it whenever you are riding. If you ride when it is dark you absolutely must use a flashing red rear light. This is law. These kinds of lights typically take two AA batteries and last for months. Wear brightly coloured visible garments such as the ‘Stay Wider of the Rider” cycling jerseys that include a reflective strip.”
Some tips to make sure cyclists get to their destination safely:
- Use lights front and back to increase visibility. The risk is greater at times of poor visibility on roads with faster moving traffic and poor lighting.
- Use wider roads with a proper shoulder or bike lanes.
- Choose streets with slow moving traffic. The slower a car is going, the more time the driver has to see a cyclist. Dangers of draft from a fast-moving bus / truck is diminished
- Get a mirror and use it. If it looks like a car doesn’t see you, hop off your bike and onto the sidewalk.
- It is against the law to use ear plugs or listen to music while riding. Be aware of your environment.
- Don’t hug the curb. This is counter-intuitive but gives cyclists no space between them and the curb to avoid obstacles in the road, other than to the right into the path on passing vehicles.
- Always ride single file.
- Use hand signals to indicate your intentions to following motorists.
- Stop at traffic lights and stop streets.
- Be polite to other road users.
“Let’s practise tolerance, respect and unity in order to be safer on the roads.”
