On yer bike New Zealand…
On yer bike New Zealand…
The NZ Transport Agency is urging Kiwis to get on their bikes tomorrow, as New Zealand celebrates the joys of pedal power to mark Go By Bike Day.
A highlight of Bike Wise Month, Go By Bike Day events will be held tomorrow in towns and cities across New Zealand, with many providing free breakfast for anyone who arrives on a bike.
Transport Agency Chief Executive Geoff Dangerfield said Go By Bike Day events and other events taking place throughout February as part of Bike Wise month were aimed at encouraging New Zealanders to give cycling a go and discover – or rediscover – the joys of cycling.
“Go By Bike Day is a fantastic opportunity for Kiwis to leave their cars at home and realise the many benefits that cycling has to offer. With more people on bikes over summer, and particularly during February, it’s also a good time to remind drivers and people who cycle to look out for each other, be considerate and share the road safely.”
Last year more than 800 Bike Wise events attracted tens of thousands of participants nationwide, with similar numbers expected this year. To find Go By Bike Day and other Bike Wise events happening in your area, visit www.bikewise.co.nz/events.
The NZ Transport Agency recently launched a Share the Road education campaign designed to personalise and humanise people cycling so that motorists see beyond the bike. Information about the campaign is available at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/about/advertising/other-advertising/share-the-road.html
Bike Wise Month
February is Bike Wise
Month, New Zealand’s annual celebration of cycling, which
sees hundreds of events held around the country during
February.
Led by the NZ Transport Agency, the Bike Wise programme aims to encourage more Kiwis to get safely on their bikes, whether it be to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with the family or discover a new sport.
With thousands of events being held during Bike Wise Month, there is an event to suit every age, ability and location. If you have access to a safe working bike and helmet, then you can take part in Bike Wise Month.
You can also share
your cycling stories and get frequent updates on www.facebook.com/bikewise, orwww.twitter.com/bikewisenz.
Safety first
Before hitting the road,
brush up on your skills through the official New Zealand code for cyclists
and remember these key tips for sharing the road
safely:
Safety Tips for people
cycling
• Be prepared: Plan a safe route
and check your bike before you start – brakes, tyres,
chain, lights and reflectors.
• Be aware: Watch
for car doors opening, potholes, rubbish, grates, and other
hazards.
• Be confident: Ride in a straight
line, at least one metre from parked cars if you can and
take the lane when you have to. Use cycle lanes when you
can.
• Be considerate: Try not to hold up the
flow of traffic – if necessary, pull over to allow
vehicles to pass.
• Be predictable: Make eye
contact with other road users and signal your intentions
clearly
• Be seen: Wear high visibility or
brightly coloured clothing. Use front and rear lights at
night, in low light and rain.
• Be patient:
Slow down near parked or lined up vehicles. Pass slowly and
only when safe.
Safety Tips for
Motorists
• Be aware: Watch out for people
on bikes, especially in low light or rain, before opening
car doors and at intersections. Cyclists may be travelling
faster than you expect.
• Be patient: Slow down
near people on bikes and if need be, wait behind them. Pass
slowly and only when it is safe. Ideally, leave a space of
about 1.5 metres.
• Be considerate: Cyclists
sometimes need to use the traffic lane for their safety.
Please give them time and space to move in and out of the
lane.
• When turning left: Remember that if you
have passed someone on a bike just before approaching a
traffic signal, driveway, bus stop or junction, it is very
likely they will end up on your left-hand side or just in
front of you – assume the cyclist is in one of your blind
spots and do not turn until you know they’re safely out of
your way.
ends