Bicycle safety equipment give-away on Friday

Free cycle safety packs will be given away in Newark on Friday morning as cyclists are urged to be seen as well as safe on the roads this summer.

With more people taking to the saddle for all sorts of reasons, there has also been an increase in crashes involving cyclists in Nottinghamshire.

In 2011, two people were killed and 87 seriously injured while cycling, representing a 36% increase compared with 2010, when three were killed and the number of those seriously injured was 63.

The number of cyclists sustaining slight injuries increased from 267 in 2010 to 293 last year – a 5% increase.

Another three cyclists have been killed so far in 2012.

Analysis of those collisions found that around two-thirds were due to motorists not having seen cyclists or not giving them sufficient space while overtaking, for example. However, one-third of the incidents were due to poor cycling behaviour.

Chief Inspector Andy Charlton, who leads for Nottinghamshire Police on casualty reduction, said: “Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users, and they must do what they can to make themselves as visible as possible while on the road among fast-flowing traffic.

“The cyclist safety packs we will be distributing from next week will include a high-visibility backpack and jacket, as well as lights. These bright, reflective backpacks are a simple but effective means of improving the chances of being seen clearly. The packs are free, but there are, of course, only a limited number available.”

The give-away by the Nottinghamshire Road Safety Partnership will take place at the junction of Baldertongate with Sherwood Avenue, Newark, between 7.30am-9am.

It will be repeated at Northern Road, Newark, at the same times on Tuesday of next week and then the packs will be available from Newark Police Station from the following day onwards.

Chief Inspector Charlton said: “Our message is not exclusively for cyclists.

"Motorists need to be aware that they are sharing the road with bicycles, and all road users, no matter what vehicle they use, need to observe the Highway Code at all times.

”This will be just one of a number of road safety operations we will be running in Nottinghamshire throughout the year, and all are essential if we are to reduce casualties on our roads not just this year but in years to come.”