No shades of grey in police approach to cyclist safety

With the State focusing on cycling over the next week as the Santos Tour Down Under rolls into Adelaide, police are keeping the issue of road safety for cyclists highly visible with Operation Safe Cycle.

Superintendent Linda Fellows, Officer in Charge of Traffic Support Branch, says Operation Safe Cycle will be in force on major roads and locations throughout the State, from midnight on Sunday 15 January 2012 until midnight on Sunday 22 January 2012.

Superintendent Fellows says police support the Motor Accident Commission's Be Safe, BeSeen message and the use of reflective clothing.

"Police support the use of reflective clothing for cyclists, especially at night. Being visible on the road is obviously a major safety positive."

"We urge all cyclists to take an active interest in their riding safety; be seen on every ride and leave the grey, or dark clothes at home."

"Cycling is claimed as being the fourth most popular recreational activity and almost a third of South Australians report that they cycle at least once a week."

"Police identify cyclists as vulnerable road users and we are aiming to increase awareness of safety issues, to help reduce road trauma involving cyclists."

"Cyclists account for about 11% of those seriously injured on Australia's roads each year and the danger times seem to be between 6am and 9am and again between 3pm and 6pm."

"54% of fatalities or serious injury crashes occurred at intersections and 47% occurred in a 60 km/h zone."

"The most common types of crashes are when a cyclist is hit from behind by a motor vehicle travelling in the same direction, when a driver is making a U-turn, and when a driver is or entering or leaving a parking space.

"Police ask drivers to watch out for cyclists at all times, especially at night, and we asks cyclists to be sure they're seen."

"We also remind cyclists to observe the roads rules, because they apply to them as much as they do to vehicle drivers."

Did you know;

· When riding at night, you must have a steady or flashing white light to the front and a steady or flashing red light to the rear. Both must be visible for 200 metres.

· Bicycles are classed as vehicles under the Road Rules. That means you can incur demerit points for disobeying road signs and traffic lights.

· You can ride two abreast, provided that you are no more than 1 ½ metres apart.

· If there is a bicycle lane on the road, in the direction you are travelling, you must use it. You can only travel outside of the marked lane to pass another rider or an obstruction.

Further information on Be safe, Be Seen campaign: www.mac.sa.gov.au

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