Riding without a helmet and a reflective vest, a shopping bag on the handlebars, heavy cost conveyance, revaluation of power, alcohol, but also riding on pavements and crossings. These are the most common bugs for cyclists.
Riding without a helmet is a serious matter. “The risk of death after falling without a helmet on the head is nineteen times bigger,” warns Mire.
If you go shopping on a bicycle, then it is in his words in place to have a bicycle carrier with a basket. “The transfer of gardening equipment or harvesting of the garden can lead to a loss of balance,” he warns.
Especially for seniors, he recommends carrying a cell phone with him to call for help if necessary. He thinks of driving on pavements and crossings for a big disaster. “But it is only children up to ten years old,” explains Mire Poach.
A separate chapter is alcohol. “Zero tolerance applies throughout the Czech Republic, which also applies to cyclists. At present, some senators want to break this tolerance, they want to allow 0.5 per mile, “he said.
Mire commends that more people wear helmets and safety clothing. “The percentage of cyclists used by the helmet and safety clothing is steadily increasing, especially among parents who travel with their children,” he said.
But what’s the next thing a cyclist should have on his bike? According to Mire Poach, there are two independent brakes, orange, white and red reflectors, reduced visibility and lighting. “I also recommend to give bicycle reflective ribbons, reflective tapes to wires or wires to improve their safety. Reflective clothing, the vest is the best, “he said.
Co-coordinator Mire Poach has also cited frequent reasons for cyclist accidents: it may be inattentiveness, rethinking his abilities, or failing to comply with road traffic rules. But it can also be non-management. “For example, drinking, consuming food, handling light,” he warns.
Another reason for the accident may be the lack of priority. “The cyclist must realize that he is on a slower pace than when driving by car. It takes more time to cross the junction. “he explained.
It also highlights the need for wheel lighting. “The unlit traffic cyclist is visible at the last minute,” he said. You also need to watch cars. “One of the causes of accidents is also the impact on the door when the car driver opens the door while the bicycle passes by,” he said.
Bicycle accident statistics are sad: as Mire Poach said, in 2017 44 cyclists died of accidents, of which 37 was without a helmet. Four out of ten people were 65 years old. The worst year in terms of cyclist accidents was 1995, when 146 people died, the least accidents were in 2016 – at that time it was 39.