IN THIS WEEK’S column, the team at LK Bikes offer some advice on how to make the roads a safer place, with both cyclists and motorists taken into consideration.
Tags:Springtime has arrive and it’s a time for both cyclist and motorist to be safer on our roads
As I look out the window today I’m blinded by the early spring sunshine. I’m saying to myself ‘I just hope it stays dry this for another hour to get a wee run out on the bike.’
I then start to gather my bits and pieces and I realize it’s been a while since I had my sun glasses where could they be!
Of course the same thing is happening to the motorist. Their vision is reduced – not by the rain we’ve been accustomed to lately – but by this beautiful spring day.
This gets me thinking about the consideration us cyclists and us motorists have for each other.
There was quite a large number of cyclist-motorist incidents last year within Donegal alone, where cyclists had been knocked off their bikes by cars approaching and pulling out in front of them. Also there was quite a lot of cyclists knocked off by cars passing them to closely. Vise-versa, we had cyclist to run into cars and cyclist who sat in the middle of the road. So let’s make 2016 a safer year for us all,
Here’s some tips from the fantastic facebook page “Stayin’ Alive at 1.5”
DRIVERS
*1.5 metres matters.
Basically, 1.5 metres is the safe distance to pass a rider. Should they take a speed wobble or the likes, this allows a safe distance for the cyclist/driver both to correct themselves.
*Distance makes the difference.
Distance makes the difference of life, death, or serious injury.
*Stay wider of the rider.
If there is a wider space to pass the rider please use it.
Cyclists should also bear in mind that the driver may not be confident of passing you out keep in slow down and allow the cars to pass if you find you’ve got a tailback behind you
Listening to music is a BIG NO NO – you can’t hear cars behind you or if someone is trying to communicate something to you!
Don’t cycle any more than two-a breast and if the road is narrow single file is showing consideration,
Let’s Make 2016 a safer year on our roads for all of us.
LK BIKES TEAM
