For four years, cyclists have been on the road with reflective vests or headlights on for the day. The rules quite old and dissatisfaction is still going on, but traffic safety specialists do not promise to come down. Like cyclists. Old changes Increasing the number of bicycles in cities is one of the cornerstones of sustainable mobility plans currently being prepared by Lithuanian municipalities. Many of them are likely to have phrases such as promoting clean vehicles and building infrastructure for them. Cities are trying to show, through a variety of means, that they want to become more attractive to those who drive an alternative vehicle, such as straight cycle paths, lines where they cannot be drawn, and bicycle signs. Action is underway, but by observing such work, the cycling community is pointing the finger at adopted laws and regulations governing road safety, which, they say, only make cycling worse and sometimes even discourage them from choosing this vehicle. The biggest misunderstanding cyclists cite in a 2014 government decree is the requirement to wear a high visibility vest with light reflectors or turn on white light on the front of a bicycle and a red one on the back of a bicycle during daytime driving. The combination of these three measures is a must for a cyclist when he is moving in the driveway during the dark hours of the day. Even angrier was the ban on crossing the carriageway when using pedestrian crossings.
Marius Kučinskas, an active cyclist, surveyed the social network Facebook group “Lithuanian Cyclists’ Society”, asking cyclists whether they are following the changes to the KET that took effect on October 1, 2014. When asked whether cycling through pedestrian crossings, the vast majority of cyclists answered yes. Ask whether the cyclists wear a vest or turn on the lights during daylight hours, 64%. Of those surveyed, 36% said that they travel without reflectors or a vest. claimed to have used at least one of the above tools. It is true that when looking at the results of respondents from different cities, there are differences in approach. In Vilnius, as much as 57 percent. cyclists are reluctant to wear reflective vests with reflective tapes and turn on lights; Kaunas cyclists also claimed daytime running with lights on or wearing a vest. M. Kucinskas says that this is not a representative survey, but it reveals the general attitude of cyclists towards the changes imposed on them. “I have repeatedly appealed to the Ministry of Transport to discuss changes to these rules, but the ministry’s specialists are silent on the possibility of proposing to the Government to amend a ruling made four years ago, arguing that such a change was necessary and contributed significantly to safer cyclists participation in traffic, “said M.Kucinskas. The same was confirmed to the newspaper by Vidmantas Pumputis, Senior Advisor of the Road Transport and Civil Aviation Policy Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. “No changes are being planned to this KET point,” he commented laconically. However, active cyclists do not stop pedaling and letting their hands down – they have put forward their suggestions to several members of the Seimas and hope that their views will be heard. As the aforementioned amendments to the KET were adopted by a Government resolution, they may be rendered irrelevant by the Seimas by adopting the relevant amendments to the Law on Road Traffic Safety. As the ruling is against the law, it should be amended or waived. Everything about safety Stasys Brundza, a Member of the Seimas last year, says he doesn’t understand cyclists’ reluctance to ride with lights on or wearing reflective vests. “After all, such decisions have been made to improve the visibility of cyclists on the road. Even when subjected to the weather, cyclists do not park their vehicles in pantries or balconies, and visibility is now extremely low, making it much easier for drivers to spot with light or bright reflective clothing. Is it so difficult to buy a light bulb costing several or ten euros to contribute to your safety and that of others on the road? ” the former MP did not hide his surprise. There’s another reason why cyclists should ride with lights on and vests on, so the driver can identify them as faster-moving road users, he said. “In poorer weather conditions, cyclists can confuse a cyclist with a pedestrian – cycling and pedestrian heights are quite similar, and speeds vary several times, so the driver, just after looking into a pedestrian circle, should understand how fast they are moving and not in between, like cyclists,” Brundza shared his thoughts.
Helmets for everyone?
He also said he did not understand why it was not accepted for many years that all cyclists should wear helmets. They are now mandatory for cyclists and cyclists under the age of 18, according to KETs, and only recommended for those over 18. “Foreign scientists have long proven that about 50% of cyclists who have been involved in accidents have head injuries that could have been avoided if cyclists were wearing helmets,” the MP said. Cyclist M.Kucinskas, who communicated with the daily newspaper, said that such regulation would also seem appropriate and necessary for him. The brand would also recommend the use of helmets for scooters, who are increasingly found on city streets.