The Donegal Road Safety Working Group (DRSWG) is working with Donegal Sports Partnership to remind road users that keeping the road safe is ] everyone’s responsibility. Cyclists, motorists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists alike all need to be alert and actively working to keep the streets safe. With excessive speed being one of the main threats on the road (any impact with a cyclist or pedestrian at 50km an hour carries a 50% death threat), it is extremely important for road users to have greater traffic awareness and personal visibility.
DRSWG and Donegal Sports Partnership are distributing high visibility gilets and working to encourage cyclists to not only wear them, but to also take their safety into their own hands. They can do this by obeying road rules, signaling their movements, and wearing high visibility clothing and helmets.
Brian O’Donnell, a Road Safety Officer with Donegal County Council, stated “cyclists need to be clearly visible and the distribution of high viz cycling gilets is a step in the right direction to help protect cyclists on the road. We received positive feedback from the cycling clubs following this campaign last year and we hope that cycling clubs will continue to promote this safe cycling initiative… cyclists have their own responsibilities regarding their own safety, lighting, high visibility clothing and helmets, clear signals and strict adherence to the rules of the road. We would like to shift the mentality and attitudes of cyclists to ensure that they take their own safety on board. While there is bad behaviour by both cyclists and motorists, it is an unequal relationship and motorists should recognise their particular vulnerability, slow down and give them more room when overtaking… the timing of this initiative is also appropriate following the success of last week’s National Bike Week and we hope to encourage as many as possible to wear the cycling gilets. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians all need to share the road safely. We should all respect each other’s space and ensure that everyone stays safe.”
