A new cycling safety campaign will start today to improve safety for cyclists by encouraging respect and understanding between all road users.
Supported by the Motor Accident Insurance Board and Tasmanian Bicycle Council, the Road Safety Advisory Council’s new campaign aims to ‘humanise’ cyclists and remind other road users of cyclists’ vulnerability.
Road rules, safety treatments and appropriate speed limits play a part in cyclist safety. But to ensure our vulnerable road users are safe, we need people to understand that cyclists are people too.
Acts of aggression are commonly shown towards cyclists on our roads and that is very alarming. This type of aggressive behaviour is considered entirely unacceptable in other aspects of daily life but is viewed as acceptable when directed towards cyclists.
Lots of motorists are also riders. And when you step out of your car, you’re a pedestrian. We all use the roads in a multitude of ways. We don’t want any aggression on our roads, irrespective of what form of transport you use.
We’re just people trying to get from A to B. We’re all someone’s father, mother, daughter, son. And we’re loved by many other people who expect us to get home safely at the end of each day. We need to respect each other and be safe.
The cycling safety campaign will hit Tasmanian TV screens and social media this week.
This campaign is an initiative to encourage safer road use and promote safe behaviours under the current Towards Zero Action Plan 2020-2024.
Find out more about the campaign here.