Three quarters of poorly lit cyclists in town

Cycling may be a healthy, silent and non-polluting means of transportation, but its practice entails risks that can be partly avoided thanks to good safety equipment. A recent study unfortunately shows that this is not the case: three quarters of cyclists are poorly lit at night.

 

A recent survey conducted by the Road Safety Association and the MMA insurer raises a major problem in the world of urban cycling. The study took place between January and March last in 11 French cities including Paris and the result is not glorious: three cyclists out of 4 have a luminous device absent or defective and thus increase their risks of serious accident.

 

City lighting is often enough to see but the cyclist does not think enough to be seen. On average, 13% of cyclists are equipped with accessories to optimize their visibility and only 1 in 10 wear a helmet. However, bicycle lighting is mandatory as well as a reflective safety vest (off-agglomeration). This equipment is essential for the safety of the cyclist because it allows him to be visible on 150 meters against 30 meters without accessories.

 

So do not forget that cycling can be dangerous, motorists do not necessarily pay attention to cyclists and often do not even see them, that’s why it is important to mark your presence on the road. In 2012, 155 cyclists unfortunately lost their lives in a car accident and 20% of them were driving in the middle of the night and without wearing any reflective material.

10 Christmas reflective gifts for cyclists

Do you have a husband, wife, uncle, aunt or friend who loves cycling and want the one surprise during the holidays with an original gift? We looked for the best bike gifts for your out.

 

  1. Light cap

With hats and scarves Nightlight Clothes like safety vest can be seen – literally! The hot containers contain reflective material that reflects the light, for example, a car headlight. You do not have to miss in the dark and you come too stylish for the day.

  1. No more cold hands

Numb hands can spoil your ride properly. The remedy: heated gloves! Of Human Nature contain high quality sheep leather in the palm, a membrane and 3M thins late. Properties are that you are assured of a water-, windproof and breathable glove, supplied with 2 rechargeable batteries and charger.

  1. Smoothie-to-go

Of course you can bring your favorite coffee or smoothie on the bike! With this cup holder is waiting for a lot less annoying for the traffic light: you can pretty take a sip.

  1. in the spotlight

Do you want to stand out on your bike, you are magnetic lights ideal. They come in bright colors and you can attach to almost any part of your bike. Handy! Moreover, there are indicators that you yourself ‘give a tan. “This reflective tape fits around your arm and features five powerful red LEDs that allow you to see up to 150 meters away.

  1. Young learned…

The bike is a style icon and that is reflected in this hip T-shirts for men and women. And who wants his love for transferring Dutch most common means of transport in the offspring: there are cute rompers for little cyclists in the cap.

  1. Explore Netherlands

Discovering our own country, you do of course on the bike. Please do this book with full personal tips and background stories about our history, nature and culture.

  1. Indicator Grips

These include handles at the side integrated lights that you announce your exit with the push of a button. The Blinker grips are easy to assemble and go to 2,500 turns it before you need to replace the batteries.

  1. Shoe

The recipient of this gift will be eternally grateful if he ends up in a big downpour with his bike. Galoshes do you go about your normal shoes and make sure your feet stay dry. Well, most of them. Champion tested eight pairs of shoes, among others.

  1. Bicycle Mittens

A Dutch invention! The reflective fabric bike mitts are made from recycled materials and increase your visibility on the bike. Bike mitts are nice and soft, waterproof and available in different designs. And, you can never forget them because you attach to your handlebars.

  1. ANWB bike card

The ANWB bike card is for everyone who loves cycling. With the pass, you get 24/7 roadside assistance and will take advantage of various benefits such as discounts at hundreds AA Hospitality Plus points, a free AA-node map, the ANWB Bike Check for your (electric) bike and legal advice if you cyclists have been involved in a traffic accident.

Children protected by safety vests on way to school

Some days after the return to school of Reze, near Nantes, Julian and his friends are waiting for the bus. At first glance, nothing distinguishes the students who are preparing to ride scooters or bikes. But on 5 November, perhaps will be otherwise. All high school students using the county school transportation network will indeed wear a fluorescent yellow safety vest up and down the bus. This measure of the General Council of Loire-Atlantique is the only moment in France. Objective: improve the visibility of teenagers near the car with reflective tape, an area considered “particularly at risk.”

The reflective vest should be presented to the driver. Otherwise, sanctions “ranging from a warning to temporarily” taken. Nearly 30,000 safety vests will be distributed in the coming weeks, at the expense of the general council (60 000). The gift does not cause the enthusiasm of teenagers. “This is nonsense. It is large enough to pay attention to the cars, “Julian critical.”It’s a good idea for security, but would also impose on those who return home on foot or bike,” suggests another student. “A yellow jacket with reflective tape, it is shame, sneers a third. It will front the driver and we will remove it immediately after. “As for parents, they welcomed the initiative, but doubt its implementation.”No one can verify if they wear the vest in the street. In the car, it is not used much, “said Thierry.”The children are in danger, especially in rural areas when it is dark, insists Christiana, general secretary of the CIPF. Wearing the safety vest, it is also a matter of education. When we made it mandatory helmet on tours, there were already many skeptics. “

My daily in the House are fighting to preserve freedom

This year’s second amendment, last year we approved four amendments to this Act and three the year before, so that within three years the nine amendments to this Act and the Minister in his opening speech said that officials are already hard at work on another amendment. An example of how we roll those laws and how to absorb or cannot keep ourselves when Mr. Deputy Kwela in safety vest says that for offenses is one year limitation period and we have already approved the change for two years. And how then has to confess that citizen if we do not know what we approved and that the change is one hundred per cent, from one to two years.

It’s maybe look like it, but we do every day in the Chamber of Deputies are fighting to preserve freedom. Yesterday it was the smoking ban. Here today we have two amendments, which seek greater freedom, but thus also for greater accountability. Firstly, the proposal of Mr. Deputy Junes, who proposes in accordance with a number of European countries – I read in the second reading the list of more than twenty European countries, where it tolerates low alcohol borders with cyclists in reflective clothing. Yes, this increases freedom, but it also increases the responsibility of cyclists. We as a club we support this proposal because it goes in the right direction.

The second proposal, which in turn increases the freedom and responsibility at the same time, the proposal to increase speeds on selected sections of highways. What did not support, it is the proposal of Mr. Kwela deputy. Let us put it directly: this proposal increases the risk of corruption. A mistake happens to everyone. Let us remember the fate of the previous amendment. Mr. Minister, presumably after consultation with the police, here asserted a right of veto for the Police of the Czech Republic in evaluating road construction. Government rejected most of our amendment, we launched it in order for us to focus the Senate had this bad design section gave away; the minister changed his mind and, in principle, easily passed the Senate version of the previous amendment. Today, if we approve the proposal of Mr. Deputy tow, the same course. Even if it accidentally went through, and I believe that not according to the appearance, because they acted colleagues from many clubs, and now, leaving aside any club solidarity, but when we look at the content and the proposal to increase the risk of corruption, to increase the powers of citizens taking that freedom.

I hope that the Minister will have a negative opinion that this time the police who so love – logically wants more and more powers have a veto here, here, have the right to hold driving licenses etc., but we see it in the polls. These are the things I think really that limit or restrict the freedom of each of us. It is not a technical matter. We should all consider … (The noise in the hall, Mr. Deputy waiting.) Thank you. … How often you want the rules changed. How often do we submit amendments and approve them. Because – and I do not want to talk about those who commit an offense or evade solutions offense proceedings. But if we change it three or four times a year, so we really can justly require everybody to know? To watch, if you happen Deputies and the Senate again they did not get a good idea and in March, June, September and December, four times changed the rules? I think it’s not a good way and we should, if possible, to limit the number of amendments to this Act. Over the last three years, nine novels! It’s just not normal. Eight and ninth is going, Mr. Chairman Social Committee is of course right.

So I firmly believe when we vote on the amendments that will support the camp who defend freedom and reject the camp, which disproportionately increases police powers, and not me, not to forget those reflective vests for deer. Reflective piping, reflective vests, to me, not did the word. Bad idea, bad deal. Indeed, if it declares, so I want to see the enforcement of this obligation. Not that there will be written somewhere – and not the police that will actually solve cases that threaten someone, whether that road users are a threat to himself or anyone else. Or put on some poplins journey, which very often says allocate, and there are to choose from. And he will say – but sir, yours reflective element is not as great as it should be. And the man will say: Well, it seems to me that it shines. He says: No, it does not shine. And we will be more work, because it is such an easy job, check reflective vest, it is much more difficult than being physically present, misaim camera physically in those places where really there’s any traffic problems or traffic accident. Because most: attendance is the physical presence of police officers on the road, or technical design, narrow lanes in the city, giving the islands there. What those drivers voluntarily leads to the fact that I take off my foot off the gas. And not those cameras chop ten thousand shots per day, and then created the incredible queues at the infringement proceedings. Thank you.