Bus drivers and cyclists are set to benefit from a new campaign which will provide guidance on sharing the road space safely.
The “Bus and Bike Travelling in Harmony,” a join initiative between Translink, Sustrans and Travelwise NI, has been launched by Transport Minister Danny Kennedy.
The campaign aims to provide each group with a better understanding of each other’s needs such as giving sufficient road space, potential blind spots and the importance of making the appropriate adjustments while travelling to ensure they travel safely on the road together.
Mr Kennedy said it was important as numbers of cyclists on our roads continued to increase that their safety as well as the safety of other road users was given the highest priority.
He added: “I very much welcome this Bus and Bike Travelling in Harmony Campaign to raise awareness among both cyclists and bus drivers of their individual responsibilities. The new Travelling in Harmony Leaflet sets out clear guidance and common-sense advice to ensure they are all aware of the needs of those with whom they share the road space.”
As well as the new guide, National Standard Cycle Training has been given to bus driver instructors and all 2,000 bus drivers will complete a training module this year highlighting best practice of sharing the road with cyclists to support this campaign.
“This campaign is about raising safety awareness by giving both cyclists and our bus drivers a better understanding of using the road from each other’s perspective. Over the coming year all of our Metro and Ulsterbus drivers will be given training covering the key road safety challenges that both bus drivers and cyclists face. Particular emphasis has been placed on the bus drivers’ interaction with cyclists in shared bus lanes.”
Gordon Clarke, National Director for cycling charity Sustrans Northern Ireland said: “It’s great to see cycling levels are rising in Northern Ireland as more and more people realise it is a low cost, healthy way of beating congestion. Unfortunately, the number of cyclists injured on our roads is rising, so initiatives like this that educate all road users to better share road space are very welcome. Bus lanes, if designed well, are a very valuable part of the cycling infrastructure and we welcome this initiative with Translink and DRD.”
The new Travelling in Harmony Guides will be available in bus and train stations, cycling retailers, online on the translink website and Sustrans website.
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