Hampshire and Isle of Wight safety push to ‘Think Bike’

Hampshire and Isle of Wight safety push to ‘Think Bike’

Deaths or injuries to cyclists and motorcyclists are all too common in the news.

Hampshire Safer Roads Partnership’s ‘Think Bike’ campaign is encouraging road users to take care of themselves and take responsibility for each other.

The campaign is reinforcing the message to two-wheel riders – cyclists, scooter-riders and motorcyclists – particularly those who travel in poor light conditions.

A lot of effort is put into encouraging the use of high-visibility vests to make the cyclists and pillion passengers more noticeable to car drivers.

Police are targeting their efforts on roads such as Southampton’s Northam Bridge, using vital safety messages on routes heavily used by cyclists and motorcyclists and pulling over those not wearing high-visibility vests.

In 2008 24 motor cyclists and one pillion passenger were killed on Hampshire and Isle of Wight roads (Source: Hampshire Constabulary).

There have been nine fatalities this year, but as we head into the dark winter mornings and afternoons, keeping these figures low is reliant on making cyclists more visible and drivers more aware.

HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT ROAD CASUALTIES 2008

Cyclists – killed or seriously injured: 116

Cyclists – all severities: 642

Motorcyclists killed or seriously injured: 252

Motorcyclists – all severities: 849 (Source: Department for Transport’s Reported Road Casualties)

Sixty five percent of all the injury-collisions involving motorbikes or scooters occur at at junctions.

In 35% of those incidents, the other driver failed to see the motorcyclists (Source: Hampshire Constabulary).

Source:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/hampshire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8310000/8310245.stm

The Think Bike initiative is a campaign organised by the Hampshire Safer Roads Partnership, Hampshire Constabulary, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Southampton City Council.

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