Doing cycle safety together for Lake Hume challenge

CYCLE Safety partner for Lake Hume Cycle Challenge, RoadSafe North East, is encouraging all cyclists and motorists to think and act ‘safety first’ for this year’s event on Sunday, February 16. Working closely with organisers in the lead up to the event, RoadSafe North East aims to promote a mindset of shared respect between cyclists and motorists, reminding all road users they are one community on the road and everyone has the right to ride and travel safely for work, sport and play. RoadSafe North East ambassador Glenn Clarke (former Olympic and Commonwealth Games cyclist) said supporting events such as the Lake Hume Cycle Challenge is an important part of its campaign to raise awareness of minimum passing distances, keeping cars and cyclists safely apart and saving lives on the roads. “In the lead up to the Lake Hume Cycle Challenge and on event day, there will be a much larger presence of cyclists on our country roads," he said. "Cyclists have every right to be on the road, and motorists should not be surprised, nor resentful of their presence. “We strongly urge motorists to be generous when passing and give at least 1.5 metres safe passing distance, between the vehicle and the cyclist. "After overtaking, ensure you are well clear of the cyclist before moving back into the left-hand lane. "Please don’t ‘shave’ or ‘squeeze’ past the cyclist - this is all sorts of scary and dangerous. "If there isn’t sufficient space to pass, just hold back and wait until it’s safe to pass." Mr Clarke said drivers need to be mindful that the road rules allow cyclists to ride two abreast or to ride in bunches. "This gives them a bolder presence on the road is much safer than riding in single file, which can encourage drivers to pass too closely," he said. RoadSafe North East's Electronic Display Board will be placed in a highly visible location on the Murray Valley Highway, Bonegilla (just west of the intersection with Mahers/Bonegilla Roads) in the lead up week to this year’s event on Sunday, February 16. The sign will display messages about the event date, as well as a visual reminder about the need to look for cyclists, slow down and take care when passing. Mr Clarke will also be running Kids Rider Bike Education skills sessions at the event start/finish at Ebden Reserve on Lake Hume, from 8.15am to 10.45am. The RoadSafe North East trailer will be set up with kids bikes and helmets provided at the skills course location.

Doing cycle safety together for Lake Hume challenge

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