Sharing the road for Safer Journeys
Tips for cyclists
Cycling is great fun and an excellent way to get around . Here are a few simple tips to stay safe when sharing the road . on urban roads
The bikers James Fuller ( left ) and Thomas Larkin ( right ).
Get on your bike
By Communications Advisor , Stephanie Byers .
Most of us have pondered with the idea of biking to work . This usually happens as the weather warms up or you ’ re stuck in yet another traffic jam approaching Tauranga .
That daily snarl up into the city is hardly surprising considering latest reports show Tauranga residents are more reliant on their private vehicles as a mode of transport , and have the lowest cycling , walking and public transport uptake than anywhere else in the country . And city growth has seen daily traffic increase by an average of 8.9 percent in a year .
In an effort to get a steer on whether biking to work really is faster than driving , Thomas Larkin , who ’ s based at Tauranga Hospital , is in the process of carrying out his own car versus bike study .
The Systems Analyst has recruited three of his workmates who live in various locations across the city to start recording the time it takes to bike to work following the same route in peak traffic compared to travelling by car .
Thomas comes in from the Mount , Sarah Strong from Bethlehem , Lindsay Hyslop from Ohauiti and James Fuller from Welcome Bay .
“ It ’ s not strictly scientific . I ’ ve asked them to record the time from leaving their homes to parking in either the bike shed or carpark and taking the average over the trips the bike is faster saving on average five to ten minutes .”
Thomas plans to keep recording times for the next month he ’ ll then collate all the results which will be on Oneplace for all to see .
Be prepared
Plan a safe route and check your bike before you start – brakes , tyres , chain , lights and reflectors .
Be confident
Ride in a straight line , at least one metre from parked cars and take the lane when you have to . Use cycle lanes when you can .
Be considerate
Be predictable
Try not to hold up the flow of traffic - if necessary , pull over to allow vehicles to pass .
Make eye contact with other road users and signal your intentions clearly .
Be patient
Slow down near parked or lined up vehicles . Pass slowly and only when safe .
Be aware
Watch for car doors opening , potholes , rubbish , grates , pedestrians and other hazards .
Be seen
Wear high visibility or brightly coloured clothing . Use front and rear lights at night , in low light and rain .
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