Safer Neighbourhood Teams in
Bournemouth and Poole are running cycle safety initiatives to
encourage cyclists to keep themselves and others safe.
Last
week, the successful ‘Think Bright…Think Lights’ initiative was
re-launched in Bournemouth town centre, Westbourne, Hamworthy and
parts of north Bournemouth to ensure that cyclists are visible on
the area’s roads as the evenings get darker.
Under the Think Bright…Think Lights
initiative, cyclists caught riding without lights after dark are
issued with a cycle defect form. The cyclist then has a specified
amount of time to take the form and proof of purchase for a new set
of lights to a local police station. Anyone who does not comply is
issued with a £30 fine.
PC Steve Lemon, who is running the
initiative in Bournemouth town centre and Westbourne, said: “Our
community told us that they are concerned about cyclists riding in
the dark without lights on the area’s roads.
“The risk to cyclists of being involved
in a collision is greater at this time of year because it’s so dark
in the evenings. We hope to reduce this risk by educating cyclists
about the potential dangers and how they can keep themselves
safe.”
Safer Neighbourhood officers will also be
running initiatives in Boscombe and parts of north Bournemouth,
where residents have told officers that cyclists are putting
themselves and others at risk by riding on pavements and
pedestrianised areas.
The Winton and Meyrick and Talbot Safer
Neighbourhood Teams, for example, have been putting up posters in
affected areas to warn cyclists about the potential consequences of
riding on pavements. The officers have been patrolling the area,
issuing anyone who does not comply with a £30 fine.
Meanwhile, the East Cliff, Springbourne
and Boscombe West Safer Neighbourhood Team has been tackling
cycling in the precinct. Officers have put up barriers at either
end of the precinct with signs asking cyclists to dismount and are
patrolling the precinct to ensure that they comply.