Vulnerable road users given a chance to shine

Bury Council’s road safety team are giving Bury’s vulnerable road users a chance to shine and stay safe this autumn and winter.

British Summer Time ends on 30 October so, as the days get shorter and the weather gets worse, road users are advised to make themselves more visible.

Jan Brabin, senior road safety officer, said: “We want to encourage people who travel to school or work by foot or bike to wear something bright. The peak times for incidents involving these road users are between 7am and 9am, and again from 3pm to 7pm, not only because these are the ‘rush hours’ but also because it is darker.”

Although the number of incidents involving cyclists tends to peak during summer, the casualty rate in terms of miles travelled is actually higher over autumn and winter. Cycle incidents that occur in the dark are more likely to be fatal, and cyclists are harder to see at junctions where there is more traffic.

“Wearing something reflective can make a big difference to making cyclists more visible,” said Jan. “However it is also essential that drivers take more time to look for cyclists and give them more space, and allow extra stopping distance during bad weather.”

The team was at Vue Cinema in Bury to distribute a range of goodies to young people during the half-term holidays; from reflective and fluorescent bags and armbands, to magnets, heel spur lights and spoke reflectors.

Jan added: “Children and adults like these resources because they are practical, colourful and well designed, but they also carry a very important message - be safe and be seen during autumn and winter.”

“Be Safe, Be Seen” top tips:

• Choose a well-lit route.
• Bright or fluorescent clothes work best during the day, especially in dull or misty weather.
• Reflective material is the best for night-time and will show up in car headlights.
• It is against the law to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back, so make sure your bike is fully equipped.

ENDS

Press release issued: 31 October 2016.