A CAMPAIGN to improve the safety of the increasing numbers of cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders and motorcyclists using the county’s roads is being backed by Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership (WRSP).
The WRSP is asking all road users to #ShareTheSpace as part of the National Police Chiefs’ Council campaign between September 6-19.
During the campaign, WRSP will distribute hi-vis tabards and other hi-vis items carrying the ‘Let’s Share the Space’ branding.
Community Speed Watch groups will also be monitoring speeds in local communities.
The campaign is highlighting the huge increase in the number of walkers, cyclists and people using roads for leisure since the pandemic began. The Government has said that in 2020 the number of miles cycled on British roads increased by 45.7 per cent to five billion.
A WRSP spokesperson said: “Exercise is great for our mental and physical wellbeing and something we all want to encourage. However, these road users need to feel safe and we are asking the public to be aware of these less protected road users and to give them more time and space in order to ensure their safety on our roads.
“When we look at national road casualty statistics, the number of pedestrians, cyclists, bikers and horse riders that are fatally injured is low. However when we look at this per mile travelled, more motorcyclists die on our roads each year than any other road user, followed by pedestrians and cyclists. This really puts things into perspective.
“Even during lockdown in 2020, when fewer people were using the roads, two cyclists, three bikers and two pedestrians lost their lives on Warwickshire’s roads.
“Vehicle drivers looking out for vulnerable road users is only part of the picture. During the campaign we will also be offering advice to cyclists, walkers, horse riders and bikers on what they can do to help keep themselves safe on the roads.”
Road users are being encouraged to report and submit digital footage showing potential moving traffic offences including dangerous driving around other road users to Warwickshire Police via Operation Snap.
Sergeant Shaun Bridle of Warwickshire Police said: “Pedestrians, cyclists, bikers and horse riders do not have a metal shell around them like a driver does sitting in a vehicle, and even relatively minor contact can seriously injure them. That’s why they need vehicles to ‘ShareTheSpace’ on the roads and pass pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders wide and slow.
“With an increasing number of cyclists using our roads it is more important than ever for all those involved to share the road responsibly and to work together to keep all road users safe.
“We are reminding drivers that cyclists can be difficult to see, especially at junctions, have a tendency to wobble, and are easily affected by side wind when being overtaken. Cyclists are also particularly vulnerable at roundabouts as they cannot move off very quickly.
“It is really important to leave plenty of space – at least 1.5m or a car’s width when overtaking a cyclist as they may have to move out into the road to avoid hazards like drains, potholes or debris.
“September is also a peak month for motorcycle collisions and that’s why the campaign is happening now. The campaign also coincides with children returning to school after the summer break.”
WRSP Chair and Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire, Philip Seccombe said: “We are encouraging cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders and bikers and all road users to take part in the current public consultation on the proposed road safety ‘Strategy to 2030’ as we need feedback from all road users.
“We all benefit from making it easier for people to cycle, walk and ride not only because of the huge benefits to people’s health by staying fit, but active travel also helps road congestion, improves air quality and the environment – so please look after other road users and ‘ShareTheSpace’.”
WRSP has also welcomed the publication of the new version of The Highway Code in the autumn, with a range of anticipated updates.
They include a new hierarchy of road users that ensures road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others, and strengthened pedestrian priority on pavements and when crossing or waiting to cross the road.
WRSP is also anticipating new guidance on safe passing distances and speeds, and ensuring that cyclists have priority at junctions when travelling straight ahead.
Visit www.warksroadsafety.org for details of the public consultation on Warwickshire’s road safety ‘Strategy to 2030’.
Visit www.warwickshire.police.uk/operationsnap to report and submit digital footage showing potential moving traffic offences.
Search @WarwickshireRoadSafety on Facebook and @WarksRoadSafety on Twitter, or search #SharetheSpace for more information on the campaign.
