“Go wider of the rider.”
That’s the message from the Isle of Wight Council which is urging greater consideration among drivers sharing the Island’s roads with cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders.
103 injury collisions in ten years
In the past ten years, 103 injury collisions on the Island were the result of motorists passing too close to pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
Meanwhile, failing to look properly is the most common cause of cyclist/motorcyclist related collisions by a significant margin.
2016 campaign relaunched
The ‘Go Wider of the Rider’ campaign ran in 2016 with the support of CycleWight to raise the profile of vulnerable road users.
It was relaunched earlier this month with back of bus messaging to promote the safe overtaking of cycles, motorcycles and horses.
Campbell: It’s vital to ‘Go Wider of the Rider’
Lewis Campbell, the council’s road safety officer, said,
“The main objective of this campaign is to raise awareness of vulnerable road users, improving road safety for all. In particular, we are encouraging motorists to leave plenty of space and be more patient when overtaking the more vulnerable rider.
“The majority of motorists drive safely and will provide sufficient space when overtaking vulnerable road users. We want to remind all motorists that it’s vital to ‘Go Wider of the Rider’ because close passing is an intimidating and significant hazard.
“We want to promote the message that the highway is not just for cars and also to encourage people to embrace more forms of sustainable transport. Creating a culture of mutual respect on the highway makes the roads on the island safer for all road users.”
Updated Highway Code
Earlier this year the Highway Code was updated to improve the safety of people walking, cycling and riding horses.
Drivers now have more responsibility to watch out for people cycling, walking or riding a horse — while cyclists have more responsibility to be aware of pedestrians.
Must leave at least 1.5 metres room
The new rules mean cars must leave at least 1.5 metres (five feet) room when passing bicycles — and revised guidance also says “it can be safer” for cyclists to ride two abreast, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders.
Cyclists are also now instructed to ride in the centre of the lane in slower moving traffic, “on quiet roads or streets, moving over to the left if a faster vehicle comes up behind them, but only if they can do so safely” and “at the approach to junctions or where the road narrows, where it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake them”.
New rules at junctions
Other key amendments include drivers turning into a road being required to give way to pedestrians waiting to cross.
They are also now told not to cut across cyclists or horse riders going straight ahead when turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane, to avoid “left hook” collisions — and allow cyclists priority at roundabouts.
Another recommendation is for car users to reduce the risk of opening a door into the path of a cyclist by using the hand on the opposite side to the door, as that will often lead to them looking over their shoulder.
Jordan: Important that due care and attention is heeded
Cllr Phil Jordan, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said,
“It is important for the safety of Island road users, that due care and attention is heeded, in order to help minimise the potential for road traffic incidents.
“We urge all motorists to adhere to the Highway Code safe passing distances and thank our safe motorists who respect the space of other road users.”
Thorne: Pleased that this campaign has been relaunched
Tim Thorne, from CycleWight, added,
“CycleWight are pleased that this campaign has been relaunched.
“If we are to get more people walking and cycling we do have to give people the confidence that they feel safe.”
More information about the changes to the Highway Code is available on the government Website.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
