Safety Equipment

Helmets

There is overwhelming evidence that cycle helmets are effective and wearing one can help to reduce head injury by up to 88 per cent.

As more and more children are being encouraged to cycle to school under the Government's Safer Routes to Schools initiative it is vital that they do so ensuring all safety precautions are taken.

This involves wearing the correct reflective clothing, having cycle training and wearing a helmet.

As many children as possible should be encouraged to attend a cycle training course and should, wherever possible, wear a cycle helmet and any school cycling initiative should always stress the importance of wearing one.

According to Government figures children are more than three times more likely to die on Britain's roads than adult cyclists and head injuries account for 70 per cent of cyclists' deaths.

Police are often only alerted to accidents that involve another vehicle resulting in the fact that the vast majority of cycle casualties are not recorded as such.

Purchasing Helmets Voucher Offer

The Bicycle Helmet Initiative aims to increase the number of cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers of all ages wearing helmets and as a result, reduce the number and severity of head injury accidents. This initiative is sponsored by Northamptonshire County Council and Northamptonshire NHS together with St John Ambulance who help deliver the message to schools. Please download the voucher to take advantage of a subsidised helmet and reflective vest offer. There are lots to choose from.

The most important thing to get is a helmet which fits you, doesn't block your eyes or ears, and is secure on your head. It should also have a recognised Safety Standard number like BS EN 1078 SNELL.

Bicycle Helmet Initiative

We promote the Cycle Helmet Initiative which allows pupils and parents who reside in Northamptonshire to purchase a cycle helmet and hi-visibility waistcoat for £10.

For more information the Bicycle Helmet Initiative in Northamptonshire please contact:

Tim Barclay

Asst. Casualty Reduction Officer (Cycle Training)

Telephone: 01604 654322
Email: tbarclay@northamptonshire.gov.uk

Reflective Clothing

A large number of pedestrian fatalities result from drivers not being able to see the pedestrian in the dark. It has been estimated that in Europe, about half of all pedestrian deaths in poor light could have been avoided if the pedestrian had been wearing reflective clothing

Pedestrians and cyclists can increase their night time visibility with safety reflectors. Reflectors make the user 5 times more visible to motorists and about 8 times safer that without whilst walking and cycling during dark hours. Reflective Clothing at night and florescent clothing during the day enhances traffic safety even further.

Pedestrians and cyclists are much harder to see than a vehicle, so help drivers to see you by taking all these precautions.

It is also a good idea to fit bikes with a bell which will also help warn others of your approach

In the dark, reflective material is best and shows up in car headlights -fluorescent clothing doesn't work in poor morning or evening light. Putting reflective tape on coat or school bag can help visibility.

Reflective clothing for cyclists and pedestrians can be purchased from various retailers. We have listed a selection of local and national online retailers:

BrightKidz
Colan

Chain Reaction Cycles

Pitsford Cycles

Lights

At night you should show a white front light and a red rear one, plus a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors. Remember that if a bike has a dynamo, the lights will go out when it comes to a standstill.

A white front reflector and wheel reflectors are not required by law, but increase the chances of being seen. When cycling at night, lights and reflectors are not something you should consider cycling without.

Without lights cyclists are almost invisible to cars, other cyclists and pedestrians when cycling in poor light or rain.

Lights are an essential part of everyday cycling and can be considered to be an additional safety precaution even for daytime riding

Walking

Ensure you are always visible and wear bright reflective clothing when walking in conditions of poor visibility.

Always walk on the pavement where possible. If there is no clear pavement and you have to walk in the road, always walk FACING traffic, so you can easily be seen by any car.

Dress to be seen. Brightly coloured clothing makes it easier for drivers to see you during the daytime. At night, you need to wear special reflective material on your shoes, cap or jacket to reflect the headlights of cars coming towards you.

If you can't cross at zebra crossing or designated crossing point then always ensure you follow the green cross code. http://www.hedgehogs.gov.uk/main/main.html