Road Safety - Cycling
With spring in full swing, many people will be beginning to leave the car at home and cycling or walking to work instead. The nature of the vehicle on which they travel makes cyclists particularly vulnerable in the event of a collision so Road Safety Scotland is urging both motorists and cyclists to be aware of the risks and help keep everyone safe.
It is clear there is a need for a change in attitudes to help foster more positive road sharing habits and poor perceptions of cyclists in general are often based on the bad habits of the minority.
THE FACTS
- There were 781 pedal cycle casualties on Scotland's roads in 2006, of which 141 were killed or seriously injured.
- The most dangerous time of day for cycling accidents is late afternoon or early evening so it is important that motorists and cyclists alike are more cautious between these hours.
- Cyclists not being seen, car doors opening, cyclists entering the road from the pavement, vehicles cutting in front of cyclists and cars pulling out unexpectedly are all common causes for casualties.
Wearing high-visibility clothing, a properly-fitted helmet and obeying the rules of the Highway Code, cyclists can take responsibility for their own and other road users' safety.
You can find out more by going to www.road-safety.org.uk
Comments
If we are to be expected to cycle to work/school/wherever - then there needs to be far more safe cycling lanes and education of drivers. The plain fact is that it is just not safe at the moment. And as much we train people how to cycle safely it is the other road users that need training!Mark