12 ways to keep our cyclists safe
Thousands of people will put on their helmets and take to the streets tomorrow for Ride2Work Day. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist, a bicycle novice or a motorist, there’s a few precautions you can take to stay safe on the road.
Why we need to share the road
South Australia has seen a spike in bicycle-related deaths, with 6 cyclists killed on the state’s roads so far this year, compared to 1 in 2017. In fact, the state averaged 3 cyclist deaths between 2013 and 2017. RAA Senior Manager for Road Safety Charles Mountain says that number should be reduced to zero. Cyclists and motorists both need to be accountable for their actions and take precautions when sharing the road, Mr Mountain says.“Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users, but they’re more vulnerable when on the road. “Ride2Work Day means more cyclists will be on the road, so motorists have to be aware and watch out for people on bicycles.”
Safety tips for cyclists
There’s a few things you can do to ensure you’re safe while cycling to work.- Keep left and ride at least 1m clear of parked cars.
- Look out for people opening car doors in front of you.
- Wear bright coloured clothing, and at night use a white front light and a red rear light.
- Look for other vehicles at intersections and never assume a driver has seen you.
- Ride predictably in a straight line and signal your intention to turn or change lanes.
- Cyclists must only ride 2 abreast and be no more than 1.5m apart.
- Cyclists of all ages can legally ride on the footpath, so if you feel uncomfortable on the road move onto the path. While riding on the footpath you need to take care and give way to pedestrians, and be aware of vehicles exiting driveways.
Cyclists of all ages can ride along footpaths, but they need to give way to pedestrians.
Safety tips for drivers
Motorists should follow a few simple rules to make sure they share the road safely with cyclists.- When the speed limit is 60km/h or less, drivers are required to give a minimum of 1m leeway when passing a cyclist. If the speed limit is over 60km/h, motorists need to give at least 1.5m of room when passing a cyclist.
- Always look for cyclists when turning or entering an intersection and give way as you would for any other vehicle.
Cyclists and motorists need to respect each other and share the road.