Logo

Basic Safety Tips for Cyclists and Motorists

News
20 August 2018
Violent crime affects everyone in South Africa and most of us probably know someone directly affected by crime, if we haven’t ourselves been victims.
cyclists 13 logo

When a cyclist is shot for his bicycle, helmet, shoes and watch, it reaffirms the lack of humanity and total disregard for a human life that some people display. It also shows how vulnerable cyclists are.

We don’t have the luxury of a steel cage to protect us from fellow road users. Many motorists seem oblivious to our presence on the road and, rather than give us a safe gap when passing, they make a conscious decision to not give us space, thus endangering our lives. It seems like motorists don’t see a fellow human being riding a bicycle, but rather someone deliberately trying to inconvenience them and disrupt their journey.

They don’t think about slowing down, waiting for a safe opportunity to pass. The motorist doesn’t see someone’s husband, wife, son or daughter riding the bicycle. They see someone that doesn’t deserve respect or consideration, the same respect or consideration they show fellow motorists. Why do motorists give another motor vehicle a big gap when they overtake, but they don’t do the same when overtaking a cyclist? 

Cycling is supposed to be fun, healthy and for many, a way to get rid of the pressure and stress we deal with at work. Forget it! When you leave your home for a road ride, you need to have your wits about you from the get-go and constantly scan your surroundings, not only for selfish drivers or intoxicated drivers, but increasingly for criminals that see cyclists as soft targets with an asset that has value and is easy to sell.

As an organisation, Pedal Power wants to get more bums on bikes – be it for leisure, environmental and health benefits or for commuting. How do we convince a parent to let their child cycle to school alone, when there’s a reasonable chance they won’t get there? How do we get people out of their cars and onto bicycles, when the roads are not safe and there is the constant threat of crime looming? 

We all need to stop for a minute and consider each other’s humanity. We may not want to hurt or kill anyone, but when a motorist shaves past a cyclist with centimetres to spare, because they want to pass at all costs, they are prepared to hurt or kill someone. It is that simple.

When I get asked what advice I can give cyclists to be safe on the road, I wonder why nobody asks me what advice I can give motorists.

MOTORISTS SHOULD KEEP IN MIND:

  • Cyclists stay left, but the edge of the road has a camber to assist water run-off. It is not always easy to ride as far left as you would like us to.
  • Debris, like stones and glass, gets pushed to the edge of the road. It is like an obstacle course sometimes, hence cyclists are often moving to their right to avoid debris.
  • Bicycle tyres are so much thinner than a car tyre. A small pothole that you as the driver might not even notice, is a dangerous hazard for a cyclist. Give us some space to avoid hitting that pothole.
  • A mild breeze can push a cyclist off-course. We don’t swerve deliberately, we don’t have an engine to keep powering us up a hill. When it gets steep, some cyclists will start weaving a bit.  
  • When a car or truck passes us very closely, the turbulence that follows can push us into traffic, off our bike and even pull us under the wheels of a truck.
  • Give us as much space when passing as you would any other motor vehicle.
  • The Western Cape has legislated the 1-metre passing law. This means a motor vehicle is required to give a cyclist at least 1 metre of space when passing. The law also says that a motor vehicle is allowed to cross a solid line to give the cyclist the required gap, if it is safe to do so.
  • Treat cyclists with respect on the road. Under those helmets and behind the dark glasses, we are the same human beings as you are.

ADVICE FOR CYCLISTS

  • Speak to fellow cyclists and monitor the local media to be aware of crime hot spot areas. You can also see all reported hotspots on the Pedal Power map, and report any new incidents as well.
  • It is always best to ride in a group. The bigger the better. However, a group is not a guarantee of safety. Gangs of criminals have attacked groups of 8 to 10 cyclist, so stay alert.
  • Scan your surroundings all the time. Most accidents happen when cyclists are hit from behind by a motor vehicle. Criminals also prefer attacking cyclists by pulling them off their bicycles from behind, blocking the road or path with debris, or running up next to the cyclist and threatening them with a weapon.
  • Don’t think that carrying a knife or gun will give you an edge over a criminal. It is more likely that your weapon will be used against you. Attacks happen when you least expect them and, unless you’re a ninja, you’re not likely to react fast enough to use your weapon.
  • If you ride in the early morning, be aware of drunk or intoxicated motorists coming home from a bender. If you feel unsafe, stop and get off the road before the car reaches you.
  • Wear bright clothing, especially on the moving parts of your body. 
  • Use both front- and rear-facing lights, preferably in daylight hours too.
  • Let friends and family know your route and how long you plan to ride.
  • A rear-facing radar is not cheap, but it is a fantastic and reliable early-warning mechanism for road cyclists.
  • If you see someone or something suspicious, stop and turn around.

 

Written by Robert Vogel, CEO of the Pedal Power Association.