WIREDGOV

With an increase in the promotion of cycling to work schemes, and greater numbers of people striving to keep themselves fit, more workers are hopping on their bikes for the daily commute.

As part of its Family Safety Week - www.familysafetyweek.org.uk - the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is urging those who cycle to work to make sure they stay safe on the road.

The family safety charity is pushing for a road network that is more cycle-friendly, calling for better education, engineering and enforcement to create safer urban areas.

But in the meantime it is providing practical safety advice to those taking to their bikes for the journey to work.

Make sure you have a roadworthy bike, by performing an “M check”, and make sure to wear clothing that’s appropriate for the weather and high-vis. You should also use a working white front light and a red back light, plus a rear reflector, for when it’s dark as they are a legal requirement.

Consider wearing a helmet. RoSPA recommends one is worn. Plan your route to try to avoid busy junctions and maximise the use of cycle routes, even if this makes your journey longer.

Good communication with motorists is key - if you are approaching a junction make eye contact with them, that way you know they have seen you - and always signal if traffic is present.

Know how to fix a puncture, carry a spare innertube or patches, and if you are new to cycling see if there is adult coaching available, or ride with a “cycle buddy” on the first journey.

Nick Lloyd, RoSPA’s road safety manager, said: “The focus of Family Safety Week is safer cycling, and while we are calling for measures to tackle the larger issue of better infrastructure we also want to give free practical support to those people who are already cycling.

“Using your bike to get to work has a whole host of benefits, including health and the environment, but we encourage those organisations promoting cycling to work schemes to help ensure their workforce stays safe on the road.”

Family Safety Week was set up by RoSPA in a bid to help millions of people protect their loved ones from accidents - the number one cause of early preventable death.

This year’s six-day event is being supported by Nazan Fennell, a Birmingham-based campaigner whose 13-year-old daughter Hope was knocked off her bike and killed in 2011. More about her campaign can be found at www.liveinhope.net

The week, which has a safer cycling theme, was launched on Monday by double Olympic champion James Cracknell, and TV property expert and Family Safety Week ambassador Martin Roberts. Advice and information is available atwww.familysafetyweek.org.uk