PCSO Liam Palmer, of your local Vale police team, answers your questions.
Q: HOW CAN I KEEP SAFE WHILE CYCLING ON THE ROADS AROUND THE VALE?
Over recent months there have been a number of high profile incidents, with a very sad fatality here in the Vale. There has also been a very hard hitting video that appeared on Twitter of people in
London having to physically lift a double decker bus off of an injured cyclist. Although this is not relating directly to the area in which we live and work, it shows that the issue around cycle safety is
country wide. The number of cyclists that are injured or killed on the roads has increased in recent years, at a rate far quicker than the increase in cyclists using the road. This is partly down to cyclists having very little protection against motor vehicles and this means that we need to take extra precautions when riding.
Cycle safety is two sided, with emphasis on the cyclist and other roads users evenly spread. For any extra information there is plenty to be found on the “THINK” website and further stories of previous incidents linked within the website.
TOP TIPS ON CYCLE SAFETY
BE VISIBLE TO ROAD USERS
Wear bright or fluorescent clothing in daylight or poor visibility, and reflective clothing at dawn / dusk and night times. Always use lights in periods of darkness, or when weather is overcast or raining.
WEAR A HELMET
Protection of your head is vital for cyclists as it significantly reduces the likelihood of a head injury should you have a fall or be involved in an accident, but it needs to be fitted correctly.
MAKE YOUR INTENTIONS CLEAR TO OTHER ROAD USERS
Show drivers and other road users what you plan to do well in advance of any junction and when it is safe to do so. Also, making eye contact with other road users lets them know that you have seen them.
AVOID CYCLING WITH HEADPHONES
While out cycling avoid using any device that could distract you from the road and reduce your awareness of others, such as headphones or mobile phones.
It is against the law for cyclists to cycle through any red lights, including lights at a pedestrian crossing, and is also prohibited to cycle on pavements (unless there is a sign showing that it is a cycle path).
STAY SAFE AND ENJOY CYCLING!
If anyone has questions or concerns that they wish to raise, please email me at liam.palmer@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk or call 101 and when prompted ask to leave a voicemail for 6016.
Remember, concerns that we don’t know of – we can’t act on.