Response to new Road Safety Minister's THINK! CYCLIST press release

Dear Sarah,

Thank you very much for the email and press release.

I appreciate your sending this to me, and the offer of an interview with Stephen Hammond. I would be very interested in having an interview with Stephen Hammond, on behalf of the Cycling Embassy of Great Britain, of which I am a Board Member.

I would particularly like to find out if the new Road Safety Minister considers it a priority for the government to achieve far more emphasis on the provision of safe, high-quality, separated cycling infrastructure for cyclists in the UK.

In the Cycling Embassy of Great Britain we consider that this will be the only effective way of reducing the distressingly high casualty rate of cyclists on our roads. Eighty-seven have been killed so far this year, and four in one day, the 5th September. We consider this is not a problem that can be addressed merely with publicity campaigns calling for better behaviour from road users. Most of our road designs are highly outdated and constantly force cyclists and motor vehicles into conflict, in sharp contrast to the road designs of many of our continental neighbours, particularly those of the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Germany, where the issues around accommodating much larger numbers of cyclists than we have here, more safely, have been effectively solved.

We would therefore be very interested to find out how the minister regards this issue, and what plans he might have for addressing it. The Cycling Embassy of Great Britain, which is dedicated to identifying and sharing best practice on cycling infrastructure, would very much like to work with him on practical solutions.

Yours,

David Arditti

On 20 Sep 2012, at 13:03, Sarah Clark <sarah@forster.co.uk> wrote:

Dear David,

 

The first ever cycling road safety campaign from THINK! was launched this morning by the new Road Safety Minister, Stephen Hammond.

 

‘THINK CYCLIST’ is calling on drivers and cyclists to stay safe this autumn by looking out for each other – and pointing out that drivers and cyclists have more in common than is often realised. With 80% of cyclists holding a driving licence, and 1 in 5 drivers cycling at least once a month, they’re often the same people.

 

With the ‘Wiggins Effect’ putting more people on the road, staying safe is a priority. This is the Road Safety Minister’s first opportunity to speak to cyclists and drivers about road safety. If you would like an interview with Stephen Hammond please let me know.

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Sarah

 

Press Release

 

DRIVERS AND CYCLISTS AGREE “LET’S LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER”

 

A new poll[1] for the Department for Transport’s THINK! campaign has found that 25% of UK adults are noticing more cyclists on the road after our cycling summer of success. With the ‘Wiggins Effect’ putting more people on the road, staying safe is a priority.

 

A new THINK! Campaign, ‘THINK CYCLIST’, calls on drivers and cyclists to stay safe this autumn by looking out for each other – pointing out that drivers and cyclists have more in common than is often realised. With 80% of cyclists holding a driving licence, and 1 in 5 drivers cycling at least once a month[2], they are often the same people.

 

The THINK CYCLIST poll has also showed that cyclists and drivers agree on how to stay safe on the road.

·         Looking twice for each other when turning or at junctions came out top for both as the precaution that would avoid the most collisions (41% of regular cyclists, and 35% of regular car drivers).

·         Both also agree on how to make things better, with 67% of cyclists and 59% of drivers saying that giving each other space on the road was in their top three ways of making cyclists and drivers more visible to road users[3].

 

Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond said:

 

“We take the issue of cycle safety extremely seriously so we are launching ‘THINK CYCLIST’, a campaign aimed at both cyclists and drivers.

 

“With interest in cycling heightened by Bradley Wiggins winning the Tour de France and our cyclists’ extraordinary success at the Olympics and Paralympics too, we want to remind cyclists and drivers of the importance of looking out for each other to avoid accidents. 

 

“Many people cycle and drive and a new THINK! poll shows both road user groups agree that looking twice at junctions, as well as giving each other space on the road, are practical things that we can all do to help reduce the numbers of cyclists killed and seriously injured on our roads each year.”

 

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: "The safety of London's road users is an absolute priority for me and improved cycle safety in particular is at the heart of all our work. So with ever more Londoners taking to the streets on two wheels, many inspired by our amazing summer of sport, the THINK CYCLIST campaign is a timely reminder of the need for road users to respect each other and make the city a safer place."

 

THINK CYCLIST is calling on drivers and cyclists to

o   Look out for each other, especially when turning

o   Signal intentions so that the other road user can react

o   Give cyclists space and remember that cyclists are advised to ride well clear of the kerb to be visible and avoid collisions

 

This is the first time that THINK! has targeted cyclists and drivers together, and the campaign has the support of organisations such as the RAC, AA and IAM The campaign will be working with motoring and cycling organisations nationally and locally to help to get safety messages to their members.

 

RAC technical director David Bizley said: “RAC welcomes any measure which helps improve safety for all road users and clearly with the growing interest in cycling there is a need for greater prominence of cycle safety. Many of our members are cyclists as well as drivers and we are keen to see greater awareness of the needs and risks presented by modern road use to, potentially, vulnerable cyclists.”

 

AA President Edmund King said: "There are too many accidents between cars and cyclists.  We need to look for each other whether opening a car door or changing lanes.  As fuel prices rise and fitness moves higher up the agenda there will be more cyclists. Drivers need to think more about cyclists on the road."

 

Chief executive of the IAM Simon Best said:  “Whether you’re on two wheels or four, you are responsible for the safety of others.  All accidents are preventable. By being considerate and eradicating bad habits we can significantly reduce accidents.”

ENDS

 

For further information please call Ella Sunyer or Cheryl Campsie on 020 7403 2230 or 07961 145 953 or Ella on 07859 078 932 or email ella@forster.co.uk /Cheryl@forster.co.uk. 

 

Notes to editors

 

1.  THINK! is the Department for Transport’s road safety campaign. Find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/think

 

2.  THINK CYCLIST is THINK!’s new cycling safety campaign.  Find out more at

www.direct.gov.uk/thinkcyclist

 

3.  THINK CYCLIST advice:

 

When you’re driving

 

1. Look out for cyclists, especially when turning - make eye contact if possible so they know you’ve seen them

 

2. Use your indicators - signal your intentions so that cyclists can react

 

3. Give cyclists space – at least half a car’s width.  If there isn’t sufficient space to pass, hold back. Remember that cyclists may need to manoeuvre suddenly if the road is poor, it’s windy or if a car door is opened. 

 

4. Always check for cyclists when you open your car door

 

5. Avoid driving over advance stop lines – these allow cyclists to get to the front and increase their visibility

 

6. Follow the Highway Code including ‘stop’ and ‘give way’ signs and traffic lights

 

When you’re cycling

 

1. Ride positively, decisively and well clear of the kerb – look and signal to show drivers what you plan to do and make eye contact where possible so you know drivers have seen you. 

 

2. Avoid riding up the inside of large vehicles, like lorries or buses, where you might not be seen

 

3. Always use lights after dark or when visibility is poor

 

4. Wearing light coloured or reflective clothing during the day and reflective clothing and/or accessories in the dark increases your visibility

 

1. Follow the Highway Code including observing ‘stop’ and ‘give way’ signs and traffic lights

 

2. THINK! recommends wearing a correctly fitted cycle helmet, which is securely fastened and conforms to current regulations

 

4.  All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2117 adults.  Fieldwork was undertaken between 21st - 23th August 2012. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

 

5.  DfT Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain 2011 states that :

• The number of pedal cyclists killed fell by 4 per cent from 111 in 2010 to 107 in 2011.

• The number of seriously injured casualties increased by 16 per cent to 3,085.
• The total number of killed and seriously injured cyclists in creased by 15% to 3,192
• Pedal cyclist traffic levels are estimated to have risen by 2.2 per cent over the same period

 

Sarah Clark

 

T: 020 7403 2230

 

49 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU      
www.forster.co.uk   @Forster_Comms   @ForsterAGEncyRegistered name Forster Lamond Ltd. Registered in England No. 3200688

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[1] You Gov poll of 2117 adults, 21-23 August 2012

[2] National Travel Survey statistics, 2010

[3] Giving each other space on the road makes it easier for road users to see cyclists/ drivers