CITY of Casey residents enjoy some of the best bike riding facilities in the state and Victoria Police is encouraging locals to start pedalling as part of Safe Cycle Month.
October is Safe Cycle Month, a state-wide initiative which aims to increase cyclist safety and reduce the number of bicycle-related collisions and injuries on Victorian roads.
Police throughout the state will be conducting a range of activities all designed to increase awareness among cyclists and other road users of road safety issues.
During the month, police will speak to about 22,000 cyclists throughout Victoria on everything from the importance of wearing a helmet to how to prevent bike theft.
State bicycle coordinator Sergeant Darren Orval said many collisions involving cyclists could be prevented if people were more aware of cyclist safety.
Last year 14 cyclists were killed on Victorian roads and there are about 15,000 bicycle collisions reported each year.
“Road safety is the responsibility of every road user, whether they are a cyclist, vehicle driver or pedestrian,” Sgt Orval said.
“Collisions occur when people take the roads for granted and fail to respect road users and too often people aren’t willing to modify their own behaviour.
“By disobeying road rules you risk the lives of everyone else using that road at that time – people who put their trust in other road users to do the right thing.
“Safe Cycle Month aims to continue to make everyone more aware and better educated about how we can all share the road safely.
“By working together we can reduce the amount of bicycle collisions that occur each year and from that, the number of people who are unnecessarily killed of injured as a result.
“In any instance of fatalities or road trauma, the immediate victim is not the only one affected – their families and friends also feel the consequences.”
Sgt Orval also highlighted the importance of cyclists taking an active role in their own safety by choosing to use the appropriate level of safety equipment while riding their bike.
“Cycle safety is not just about obeying the road rules but also choosing to wear a secure bicycle helmet and making sure you are visible to other road users by fitting lights to your bike and wearing appropriate clothing.
“It is also important to regularly maintain your bicycle by checking tyre inflation, brakes and all other parts are in good working condition.
“Many people spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on bicycles only to buy cheap equipment to secure their bike with. Making sure your bike is stored securely when not in use can prevent opportunistic thieves riding off with your bicycle.
“Police can further assist by marking your bike so that if theft does occur, you greatly increase the chances of getting it back,” Sgt Orval said.
Safe Cycle Month is an annual road safety initiative conducted by Victoria Police, sponsored by VicRoads and supported by other government and community organisations including the Amy Gillett Foundation and CycleSport Victoria.
