Road safety rule of riding bicycle in winter

DENMARK: Sunday, October 25, we change to winter time, and that means true to form, the garden and the clock must be set back and that we all face an hour earlier in the morning.

It also means that you almost certainly going to cycle to work while it’s still dark. Therefore, it is high time to find out whether the lights on your bike are ready for the winter season.

And many will probably learn that their lights cannot stand the heat and will trigger fines, says special consultant in the Road Safety Council, Penile Ehlers.

If for example, you have a couple of small elastic-lights, many bought in the supermarket for 40 kroner lying, you may well throw them out and buy some other, she says.

The small inexpensive flashlights were banned three years ago, when they are not on good enough, and the battery life is too low, says Penile Ehlers.

If you have the wrong light on the bike, it costs a fine of 700 crowns, if you are stopped.

The new stricter requirements for bicycle lights dictate, among other things, that a lamp should have a battery life of at least five hours. The lights also light so strongly that you can see them on the entire 300 meters apart, and in fact, it is sometimes not enough.

Therefore, it may be a good idea with additional reflectors on your clothing or reflective vest, estimates Penile Ehlers.

At Polar Cycles in Aalborg can feel that the season has been slippage in sales of bicycle lights.

We have a good time in the sale of the fixed bike lights. They are the ones where the rear light where the red rear reflector usually sit. If one uses about 300 kroner on the bicycle lights, one is a good start over the winter, says René Hildegard, bicycle mechanic at the Alborg reproduction bike shop, Rita Focus.

The lights do require batteries, but they are equipped with power-saving LED bulbs, which means that they should keep the winter. And a safety vest is also necessary for riding

It’s tempting to get fitted with magnetic lights that run on power from the bicycle wheel, but it will René Hildegard certainly not recommend.

I do not quite understand why the lights are still approved. Coming trilling, and a car comes out, looks motorist nothing, he says.

There are good dynamo lights, but the bicycle repairer estimate that they cost so much that they simply are not worth the money.

If you want to bike lights that do not use the battery, you can get lights that can be charged via the USB connector. Generally recommend René Hildegard, however, that to use bike lights that are either recharged with a standard power adapter or battery.

Lamps must come light straight forward or straight back.

Headlights and rear lights must be clearly visible at least 300 feet away and will also be visible from the side.

Headlights and tail lights should sit so the lights respectively straight forward and straight back – they must therefore not hang and light into the ground.

Headlights and taillights must continue like flash.

Powerful headlamps designed to illuminate the road in front of the rider must be mounted so that the light obliquely downward and does not dazzle oncoming.

Approved bicycle lights typically costs 300 kroner for a set. Ask your local bicycle retailer what he or she can recommend.

Let safety vest protect your riding in dark winter month

Especially in the dark winter months wear many cyclists also a safety vest in the hopes that you will be more visible. But the most glaring clothing does not protect, if motorists are distracted, phone or simply looking in the wrong direction. And that’s often the accident reason than you think.

“Increase safety vests probably the visibility of cyclists, but that might have been so a lower risk of accidents, or that characterized the accidents would be less, I would not expect,” says traffic psychologist Mark Vallarta of the Technical University of Braunschweig and explained: “Quite a lot of accidents happen because the driver is looking in the wrong direction. And if you look in the wrong direction, then does not help even visible cyclists. ”

The bicycle industry has plenty of luminous jackets and reflective arm warmers in stock. Accidents happen just when one does not expect when the driver is about to distract. And suddenly there is a cyclist in front of the hood.

According to a study by the British insurance company Direct Line, in which the eye movements of motorists were measured, overlooked motorists only about four percent of the pedestrians. But of the cyclists be overlooked 22 percent.

And if they do not expect cyclists, they overlook simple. If you look in the newspaper, you see, too, that everything is overlooked Possible.

There are motorcyclists overlooked it be overlooked all railroads, at level crossings. What not exactly fit into the concept that falls in the information processing just to get out the back. ”

How the perception, that is no bad intention. Driving is a complex process. Much can then pull attention away from the road. One perceives only that with which one also expects. Even if the cyclist is well visible, keeping most motorists when overtaking for example, not the prescribed safety distance of 1.50 meters a. Not even if a safety vest with reflective tape is worn. This resulted in an investigation by Ian Garrard from Brunel University in London.

Susanne Elfferding explained: “He’s been on the road with various vests and various clothes on the roads, in the city and has been found here that this has no effect on the Überholabstand.”

A mere 1.18 meters is therefore the distance to the cyclist when overtaking. Only when the cyclist wearing a vest, similar to the police, keeps motorists a few centimeters longer distance. Nevertheless, the Überholabstand remains well below the prescribed value of 1.50 meters.

But there is a way to make cyclists more visible to traffic, says the ADFC in Hamburg. “The only way to change that is actually the bicycles to get to the road. This makes them visible, so they are the drivers in the field. And if there are many, then also happens less.”

Another important factor is that cyclists respect the traffic rules. But one should not yet carry the luminous vest for safety?

“That’s not necessary. Much more important is that you go ahead. That one knows how you have to behave. That one has a little bit in mind that the motorists have to see one and also can make mistakes. That one this must precisely compensate for error. And it’s no use to drive on the left side with a reflective vest and a helmet, where no one expected. This helps not at all. “

Imposition with reflective vests for bikers and moped

From 1 January 2014 it hosts commanded to bring vest with reflective tape also after a second application moped and motorcycle.

Westerners will be used by need stoppage so that accountants can shoats along the road, said NPRA in a press release.

In March 2007, lasted it commanded to vest is easily accessible by car, but from the New Year this will also apply to those who currently running motorcycle, moped or ATV.

If you get need stoppage, you can quickly become remain on places where other drivers do not expect it to be someone, and you can be little visible to other road users. Using of reflective vest, heightens the chance of being seen on time, says Deputy Director Jon Moles of Public Roads.

We are aware that there is less space on eon moped or motorcycle in eon car victory Moles but add that it fine-CE-approved Vista in pocket format on market.

Eon will not get fee if eon will hang in control without vest, but the police can give fines if the West is not used any in foreleg situations.

It also Vlore discussed with Eat commanded concerning the use of safety vest at any given time, but to date the proposal is shelved.

Pedestrians and cyclists: In the darkness should wear safety clothing

Safety vests and special protective collar for children at TÜV Rhineland is necessary.

See and be seen, the motto of the road users must be in the dark winter months. “Especially cyclists and pedestrians are swallowed in the early morning and evening hours easily the twilight. You should therefore take possible light, best provided with reflective materials clothing to be perceived at an early stage of motorists,” says Hans-Ulrich Sander, motor expert at TÜV Rhineland, and adds: “good services vests, which are available in each TÜV Rhineland inspection agency.” Here, parents for their children and special reflective protective collar for pulling over. The trade also has reflectors in the most diverse forms as patches or buttons. For security reasons also make shoes with reflective tapes.

Motorists should pay particular attention to cyclists and pedestrians already before turning in the dark. “What is important here is the shoulder view. Only then it is ensured that no persons are in the blind spot,” says Sander. Pedestrians can also draw attention to themselves with a flashlight. In this aim the beam of light on the floor and never dazzle motorists.

Mandatory retro-reflectors on the bicycle

Cyclists should make sure that the lighting system of the Volos is correctly and intact. “While a conventional dynamo system is allowed, but much more security provides a continuous light – especially in the state,” says TÜV Rhineland expert Sander. In addition, the prescribed reflectors have the bicycle front (white), rear (red) and are attached to the pedals and between the spokes (yellow). In addition, protective helmets in good stead with reflective elements.

 

Czech Police call on drivers wear reflective vest to ensure safety

On 15 November the Czech Police launched a nationwide pre-emptive action aimed at increasing the visibility of motorists. The subject of traffic controls is informing drivers of the requirement to wear a reflective vest, which is also legally obligatory equipment in the vehicle. If a motorist in solving technical defect or traffic accident the car will perform, they must vest dress, why should he have on hand and not in the luggage compartment. The event aims but in addition to a reminder of the obligations and alerts the security of the vehicle crew. Police officers in this preventive action are to transmit a controlled drivers more reflective clothing, which is designed specifically for other passengers in the car.

During the thirteen days took place in the Central Region a total of nine events of this type, which was distributed to a total of 442 reflective accessories. On the part of drivers could be heard very positive response. Another roadside checks related to the action on the visibility of motorists will run until February next year.

Rules for decrease accident and ensure traffic safety in South Bohemia

Already this year 60 people died on the roads of South Bohemia. Over the past year there were 63. The Regional Coordinator Be sip Vaclav Smith warns that the autumn fog and black ice comes a period when accidents on the road will increase.

Until decrease the number of accidents, will not subside even deaths on the roads, emphasizes regional coordinator be sip Vaclav Cover.

According to Cover it was due to improved cars. Now, however, we have reached the bottom, no matter how good the technology is already helping.

South Bohemian died on the roads already 60 people, while for the whole of last year it was 63rd.

Moreover, we are now waiting two months of hard, in terms of traffic accidents, as it unfortunately is related to the number of fatalities. Autumn weather brings a lot of accidents with pedestrians who are not sufficiently visible. That is now the subject of our campaign. This week we start with the police traffic safety event focusing on the visibility of pedestrians.

Pedestrian thus fall riskiest?

Yes, based on statistics from previous years, most of pedestrians dying between 16 and 18 hours just in this season. Due to the time shift suddenly gets dark at five o’clock instead of six drivers and pedestrians are poorly adapted to it, and then there is very often fatal accidents. And even at pedestrian crossings. We used to offer safety vest to solve this problem, but it didn’t seems help.

 

What will campaign?

We will endeavor in cooperation with the police to communicate directly with drivers on the roads. Because the reflective elements is insignificant when the car is off. If the vehicle is lit poorly or not at all, it does not reflect light reflex. We have made several commercials, which we will try to get to the screen in offices and other public places in the South Region. I have also arranged several meetings at schools and homes for the elderly.

How long?

We want to be long. Our goal is to significantly reduce the number of pedestrians killed. Over the last year throughout the Czech Republic were killed in traffic accidents about 65 pedestrians. We know from neighboring countries that adjusting the law, in which it stated that the reflective elements on clothing are required, reducing the number of deaths very aggressively.

In recent years the number of tragic accidents declined. But in the last two years there is again an increase. Does it think this statistical skew, or a trend?

The problem is that the steadily increasing number of road accidents. Every year it’s a nearly ten percent. The fact that we dropped the consequences of accidents; it is my only increasing the quality of vehicles. Cars are better in terms of active and passive safety features. Obviously, we have already reached a certain bottom, where it is not only the technical features of vehicles to reduce the number of tragic accidents. And with that, as the number of crashes will rise and the number of deaths.

So it is necessary to reduce the number of accidents?
If we want to reduce the number of deaths, we must first seek to decrease traffic accidents. The other things that can affect the consequences smashes such as better infrastructure, that they are secondary issues.

What would you think should happen? Tighten the imposition of fines?

Fines are matters of repression, we prevent sty, so we focus more on prevention. The problem is that this is precisely the long-term financially underpowered compared to the rest of Europe. But I feel that now dawning for better times, as Transport Minister is in favor of us. It should not say that, without preventive repression would not make sense. Certain increase in penalties would also help us. But mainly it is necessary to educate the whole nation. We have a big problem with arrogance drivers. But beware, as well as cyclists. Even the education they need. Necessary municipal police should patrol to cyclists moving routes, which are designed and among pedestrians.

The amount of fines is one thing. However, when an aggressive driver sees the road almost overtake cop, so it is probably not solve, right?

According to our statistics, the performance of traffic police in the South Region increased from year to year, although staffing tends to decrease. In this regard, I stand behind the police because they are trying to do the maximum.

It should not, therefore, be more?

You say it absolutely right. But there is another thing. For me, each policeman should intervene in the transport sector. I experience when I go over and see Budejovice offense like thunder around the police will pass and nothing happens. Had the matter on the spot immediately addressed, they should aggressive drivers to police certainly greater respect.

People wear reflective clothing attend the 10th reflective day

The 10th reflective day is marked with events across the country. On Egertorget in Oslo got passing early risers served dance, music and reflective tapes.

Amidst an unfolded pedestrian field of reflective material was director Jan Johansen in Road Safety. Along with dancers in reflective clothing from Bandar, police and Safe Traffic employees he distributed reflexes to people on their way to work. Several were also joined by a coffee and scones from the booth on Egertorget.

I’m happy for the markings of Reflective day around the country. It is important for us to highlight the work we are doing and tell people that reflex saves lives, says Johansen.

The director recalls that reflex reduces the risk of getting hit in the dark by around 85 percent.

Every year, almost 20 pedestrians killed in traffic, 90 are severely injured, while 470 are slightly injured. We know that many of these could escape accidents if motorists had seen them, says Johansen.

The event in Oslo is collaboration between the Road Safety and Traffic Safety Oslo (OTU), while the distributed reflectors are designed by Apparatjik. Attending Egertorget was also Moods of Norway founder Simen Staalnacke, who previously collaborated with Safe Traffic to increase reflex use among people.

We are working to integrate reflective clothes as a design element. It’s the future and making reflex to a part of everyday life, says Staalnacke.

He finds it strange that people constantly need to be reminded how important it is reflective.

Safety is priority number one for most of us. Yet people keep forgetting reflex, says Staalnacke.

Among the passers-by who were joined by a reflex, was Vibe Jesse. She had received an event invitation via Face book and knew about Reflex day in advance.

I guess I’m not so good at using reflex that I should have been. It is hard to remember and attach reflective strip on all garments. But today there are many cool reflexes that can be used as decorations for clothes. It was not like before, she says.

Vida was joined by reflexes, scones and coffee in the morning. He was pleased with it, and says that reflexes enough coming into use.

Every morning and evening I use reflective tape on the dog. Then it is completely dark along the road and important to be visible, says Kårikstad.

He is often intimidated by pedestrians who appear without reflection, when he drives a car.

The experienced my wife and I announced yesterday. When people cross the road in dark clothing, they are very difficult to see, tells Kårikstad.

Transport unions declared a strike alert in Prague

Prague – Transport unions declared a strike alert because of low salaries of bus drivers. If the conditions governing chauffeurs regular buses do not improve, the unions are willing to come up with a sharper form of protest, including strikes. At a press conference, said the chairman of the Trade Union of Transport (OSD) Lobos Pomajbík. The unions pointed out that the county contract to operate bus routes winning companies that reduce the cost of transport to the detriment of wages drivers.

“The bus driver wearing refelctive coverall is spent at work more than 300 hours per month at 72-82 crowns gross per hour,” said Pomajbík. More money received by him as well as temporary workers in the supermarket when unloaded fruit in the supermarket shelves. The number of overtime hours that drivers with reflective clothing are used, among other things, because the chauffeurs market shortage, may involve an increased risk of accidents, he added.

Willingness to act today in a statement said the South Moravian Governor and Chairman of the Board of the Association of Regions Michal Hayek. The issue of salaries is willing to tackle as soon as he returns from a working visit to China, which is part of the delegation led by Prime Minister Bohuslav Socotra. “I believe in an agreement which will help calm the situation in the future of angry drivers. At the same time must be justifiable to taxpayers and the Finance Ministry, which controls the regional economy,” said Hacek. He also said that the problem also seek the opinion of the Office for the Protection of Competition, which supervises over public procurement.

To support the claims of drivers on the minimum wage in regional tenders for the operation of bus line skates unions are willing to take advantage of stronger forms of protest. According Pomajbík may be for example a local strike, but which is threatening to escalate into a wider form of protest. He said the unions would nevyhlašovaly strike alert, if you are not sure that they are able to accede to these actions vigorously. But he also said that the OSD prefers to deal with the situation by agreement.

The problem according to the trade unions is the fact that the contracts for each connection are concluded for a period of five or ten years. The price of labor is as chauffeurs and pinned her there is no space in this period increased. Although it is not possible at such a long time to fix the price of fuel or technology now fix rates of wages can be, added the chairman of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (CMKOS), Josef Středula. In addition, the amount of those wages is not enough to make a decent chauffeur could make a living, he added.

The issue of wages but the bus drivers and truck drivers CMKOS intends to open on December tripartite negotiations, said Středula. On this date willingness to monitor drivers’ strike and Jawbone and Liberec trade unionists that wave of protests this fall began. “We want to work with data and know how many people will (strike) from Moravia, much of it and for this region,” said the president in mid-November Jawbone basic trade union bus line George kitchenette.

Drivers launched a wave of protests called Jawbone invitation that he wanted to trade unionists from Jawbone and Nisei and Liberec point to the low salaries of bus drivers on routes ordered the county. Who in support of their demands wear safety vest like chauffeurs thousands across the country; the latest in a series of protests was the Wednesday performance drivers with regular services in region.

The tenders would be one of the key conditions of compliance with the minimum wage for drivers. This corresponds to 100 crowns per hour. Drivers are entitled to such conditions in the public procurement has recently been supported by the Prime Minister Bohuslav Socotra.

Here fear mothers that lives may be lost

Residents in Monika are terrified to go along way. Now they are demanding that coming establish a cycle path.

Toddler’s mothers Heller Ridderseth Hind, Elisabeth Runes and Merete Welled goes with heart in my throat every time the rolling walks along the road in Monika. In 60-zone waiting schoolchildren in reflective accessories on the bus, parents wheeling prams and people are walking. It is a risky sport, believes mothers.

It is a known fact among the residents out here that it is dangerous to walk along the way, says Heller Ridderseth Hind.

It was Sunday morning that Hind had enough. When she went for a walk with six month old Sana, she had to jump into the ditch with the stroller to avoid being hit.

I thought that this stops. Imagine if there was a child who walked alone along the road, she says.

Thus she created the group “We requiring pedestrian and cycle in Monika before lives are lost” on Face book. Since then, nearly 300 people “liked” group.

One would almost think that there must be an accident here until something is done, says Hind.

They all have experienced scary situations along the way, and say that they are not the only ones.

My partner was hit by a car bearing and the cars running so close to the kids that they can take on cars as they pass, says Elisabeth Runes.

There is a lot of traffic along the road, both cars and heavy transport. Only during the five minutes iTromsø stood with the mothers at the way it happened almost an accident between two trucks because of high speed.

We feel almost unwelcome on the road. Cars pushing us out of the ditch, says Merete Welled.

I have experienced that vehicle has flashed with long lights against me, even though I’m wearing a safety vest. Most running nicely, but some create very scary situations, says Runes.

In recent years, many families settled in the area. School-age children need to Skjelnan School, and most diverting bus. Then they both cross the road and wait for the bus while other heavy vehicles and passenger cars driving past.

It is very bad streetlights here. When it’s dark, it’s especially scary to walk here, said Hind.

Residents in the area were earlier this year informed that the Public Roads Administration had allocated money to develop pedestrian and bicycle lanes in Monika. They claim that they were told that the work would start early this fall. Still nothing has happened.

There is a desperate situation. I’m tired of going with your heart in your throat, says Hind.

City Councilor for Urban Development, Ragni Løkholm Romberg (Ap), says that from the municipality is a priority job to put in place cycle path outside urban areas.

Pedestrian in reflective clothing and cycle path will be constructed, and the Public Roads Administration has worthy planned pathways, says Romberg.

Erin Anne Blip, project manager at the investment section of the NPRA, says that efforts to draft a cycle path in the area against Monika are underway.

We are currently preparing now, and during November, we seek out the job to tender, says Blip.

She says that excavation work will begin next year.

Then we will continue to dig from the time the field’s end by Skjelnan and 500 to 700 meters further towards Monika, says Blip.

Road safety tips for bicycle riders.

Sometimes we tend to consider the reflective stripes as accessories. Their roles should, however, not be neglected: they protect us when riding at night. Thanks to them, we are, indeed, visible to motorists, which reduce the risk of accidents.

Why invest in reflective tape?

This type of accessory cyclists makes them visible when they roll in very dimly lit areas or at night. All road users are, thanks to this, able to see the bike and take into account the presence of it when it is moving.

Despite the legislation, too few cyclists are aware of the importance of being able to report their presence on the road. So cyclists have extra protection against accidents, which will be recalled, are wreaking havoc every year, so it is very important to stick at least one reflective tape on your vehicle.

Where to install reflective strips on your bike?

The reflecting band is in general, mounted on the bicycle rim. Its size is designed so that the cyclist is as visible as possible.

Your bike should normally be equipped with reflectors, for reflecting light. By law, your bicycle must, indeed, have in the back, the sides, the pedals and front. With this precaution, it is possible for you to report your presence, regardless of the angle at which you are located.

To be even safer, you can also invest in clothing with reflective strips or stick one on your reflective clothes. In case of rain or in the dark, and there will be no chance that other road users do not spot you.

How to choose your reflective tape?

In terms of reflective tape, aesthetic criterion is what prevails the most. You choose it, in fact, not based on this criterion: you must choose to optimize your visibility.

For efficiency, the rider can opt for bands of gray colors that reflect more light.

Moreover, the type of reflective tape on which you lean, buy those that conform to current standards in this area; these products are recognizable by the CE mark on the package of the product.

It was the second last part of our series on bicycle tires; we soon went around this universe. We will return soon with a comparison between the tires with rigid or flexible rod.