Merseyside Police encouraging more road users to be aware of cyclists

Merseyside Police is taking part in Brake Road Safety Week this week with this year’s theme focussing on two-wheeled safety – bicycles and motorcycles.

The campaign is calling for road users to think about shared space and the responsibility of everyone to look after the safety of others on the road.

Officers and partners will be taking part in a variety of different activities across the force area to re-enforce the message that our roadways are a shared space and we all have a responsibility to make sure they are a safe place, be that on foot or two wheels, four wheels or more.

Some of the events being held across the week include:

– Partners “Bikeability” will be delivering safe cycle education in schools across the region
– Tuesday, 20 November Merseyside Fire and Rescue will be carrying out an extrication demonstration in Williamson Square, alongside other activity at 10.30am and 2.30pm
– Tuesday, 20 November a seminar will be held at Haydock race course aimed at senior road users, with themes including fitness to drive and risks to vulnerable road users
– Wednesday, 21 November a “Winter Survival” multi-agency event aimed at senior citizens will be held at the Holiday Inn, Liverpool.

Paul Mountford Casualty Reduction Officer said: “It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure we are all safe on our roads and to ensure our more vulnerable roads users, cyclists and motorcyclists, can get to their destination safely.

“Alongside the day to day enforcement activity we undertake on a regular basis, we are inviting cyclists to report “near-misses” online via the Collideoscope website (www.collideoscope.org.uk). This will enable police to identify the areas where cyclists are most at-risk and the common causes. Cyclists also have the option to report serious cases to police directly via the Force website and upload any helmet-cam footage. Any road-related incidents can now be reported via the force website, where in the past four weeks alone, we have taken six red-light and three careless driving cases, which have resulted in police action.

“The Merseyside Road Safety Partnership is also continuing to promote “Safe Urban Driver”, where drivers can undergo cycle training to enhance their health and wellbeing as well as get a cyclist’s perpective on the roads.”

For more information about any of these initiatives email Merseyside.Road.Safety.Partnership@merseyside.pnn.police.uk