Bike Smart is the message at the heart of this year’s Road Safety Week, focusing on the safety of those on two wheels. Taking place between 19 – 25 November and coordinated by Brake, Road Safety Week seeks to raise public awareness over road safety, acting as the driver for positive change on our roads.
The number of cyclists in the UK is increasing at a rapid pace, however, those on two wheels are among the most vulnerable UK road users:
More than a third of people killed or seriously injured on UK roads are those travelling by bike (either bicycle or motorcycle).
More than 100 bike riders are injured every day in needless, preventable crashes.
Brake’s week-long campaign will raise awareness about the importance of protecting those on two wheels by focusing on:
cyclists and motorcyclists being Bike Smart through safe riding behaviours, appropriate training, clothing and equipment
drivers being Bike Smart by looking out for those on two wheels, driving safely and utilising the latest life-saving technologies in their vehicles
policy makers being Bike Smart by implementing a safe systems approach and designing segregated spaces for cyclists
Brake’s efforts for Road Safety Week will be supported through working with campaigners, community groups, road safety professionals, companies and schools – who can now register for a free action pack via www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk – and by funding from the Department for Transport.
Joshua Harris, Director of Campaigns for Brake, the road safety charity, said: “Every year Road Safety Week provides a unique opportunity to focus the public, and policy makers’, attention on saving lives on our roads. The numbers of those travelling on two wheels is ever-increasing and yet bike riders remain incredibly vulnerable to death and injury; that is why this year our theme is Bike Smart. From 19 – 25 November we will be shouting about the importance of bike safety and encouraging all across the UK to do the same. Small changes can help save countless lives on our roads and now is the time for us to act to improve bike safety in the UK.”
