Millions of pounds of investment in cycling in Brighton & Hove is having a positive result and more people are cycling. However, in recognition of the fact that cyclists are vulnerable road users, the council is working with the Police and Fire and Rescue Service to reinforce safety for cyclists.
The ‘Be Bright Be Seen’ campaign, took place when the clocks turned back and reminded cyclists of the need to have bike lights and wear reflective/bright clothing - more details below.
Operation Spoke, run by the police, will take place on 4 January from 7.30am to 11am on the seafront cycle lane, near Brighton Pier. The event will focus on cyclists riding on the pavement, jumping red lights and riding the wrong way up one way streets, combining enforcement with education. The council’s Road Safety Team will work with the Fire and Rescue Service and Police Casualty Reduction Team, to offer a special information point with cycle safety give-aways.
Development of a cyclist’s Road Code by Journey On has begun and later there will be an awareness raising sticker campaign on the dangers of passing buses on the nearside, supported by the Highways Agency and Brighton and Hove Buses. The Fire and Rescue Service has marked up bicycles to be used at events to highlight road safety issues and the council’s Road Safety Team trains nearly two thousand children a year in schools on ‘Bikeablility’ courses.
The aim is to reduce road casualties and encourage lawful, responsible, considerate riding. The council does receive complaints from all types of road users about the behaviour of a minority of cyclists – who sadly taint the reputation of all cyclists. All road users have a responsibility to be considerate to others using the road and we need to get away from the culture of blaming everybody else.
