Look Out! - Kent Connected

Did you know that in Kent, there has been an increasing number of road collisions involving cyclists over the last 10 years? In 2017, 424 road collisions in Kent involved cyclists, of which 4 were fatal. Studies have found that not only are these accidents frequent across the country, but that one third are the result of drivers overtaking cyclists too closely.
We want to see a county where everyone feels safe whilst using our roads. Whether a seasoned professional, or just getting started, it is important that each and every cyclist remains safely within their comfort zone.
Most close pass instances are not down to hostile drivers but due to a lack of knowledge! We hope to remove this barrier by providing all the information needed to make for considerate and compatible road use.

87% of Kent Residents support the ambition of making active travel an attractive and realistic choice for short journeys in Kent, but 50% worry about their safety sharing the road. (active travel strategy consultation)
61.4% of adults in kent are overweight or obese (public health england march 2018)
In 2014, 64% of respondents agreed that it is too dangerous for them to cycle on the raod, the highest level recorded since the question was introducted in 2011. 71% of females and 57% of males said it was too dangerous for them to cycle on the roads (british social attitudes survey 2014 – public attitudes to transport)

Where to start?
So how should we act when sharing the road with someone on a bicycle? Well, space is the key, especially when passing. At 30mph, we must give 1.5 metres as a safe distance between bike and car. At faster speeds, we should allow 2 metres. Don’t forget that if there is not enough space to pass safely, travel behind at a safe distance until space becomes available.
When driving, it can often be difficult to see things from a cyclist’s perspective and the recommended passing distance can be hard to visualise. So try looking at it this way: the space between your car and the cyclist must be at least the same width as a car. This allows for any sudden changes that the cyclist may make due to uneven road surfaces or obstacles that they are trying to avoid.

The road to improvement requires the drive to change!