ROAD SAFETY

Post date: Jun 15, 2010 10:4:52 PM

SHARING SPACE WITH CYCLISTS

SOME COMMONSENSE TIPS FOR MOTORISTS

· Always remember that you’re SHARING the road with cyclists.

· Cyclists can be vulnerable when they interact with cars and other vehicles due to issues of VISIBILITY and RELATIVE SPEEDS and SIZES.

· Give cyclists PLENTY OF ROOM (1.5 metres recommended) when overtaking as they may need to avoid hazards you can’t see. Make sure you’re well past them before resuming your position.

· Don’t drive TOO CLOSE behind a cyclist – if, for any reason, they take evasive action or come off their bike, you might not be able to stop in time.

· During their hours of operation, it is ILLEGAL to PARK or DRIVE in a CYCLE LANE bounded by a continuous white line. You may enter a cycle lane bounded by a broken white line for necessary, temporary manoeuvres but don’t encroach on cyclists.

· Be careful when turning left across off-road cycle lanes. Cyclists using these can be in your BLIND ZONE.

· Cyclists overtake slow and static traffic on either side. USE your mirrors. A cyclist could be in one of your blind zones, so take care when TURNING or MOVING LEFT.

· DON’T OVERTAKE a cyclist immediately before you intend to TURN LEFT. Bikes can move more quickly than you might think.

· At junctions, stop at the FIRST STOP LINE. The area between the first stop line and the ADVANCED STOP LINE is for cyclists only.

· On rural roads with limited forward visibility, remember that a CYCLIST may be around the NEXT CORNER. Adjust your driving to suit the conditions and the road ahead.

· Be extra vigilant for cyclists when REVERSING and when OPENING or allowing a passenger to open ANY CAR DOOR.

· BE PATIENT – Don’t tempt a cyclist into taking a risk.