TRAXX FM Q&A for Share Our Roads - 29th August 2012

1.   Who are we?

In memory of many fallen or injured cyclists around the world, a group of concerned Malaysian cycling enthusiasts has come together and formed “Share Our Roads” Group. My name is Elaine, I am one of the core personnel to set up this sharing of road safety awareness group.

Our Mission: To create a safe cycling environment in Malaysia.

Our Vision: For cycling to become a safe sporting activity of choice for everyone with zero Fatalities.

 2.       Why do you form this group? What are your core objectives?

Cycling is a popular sport for many, it is increasingly popular day by day. With the love of sport, many cyclists will ride their bicycles on the road which is also shared by automotives.

There are ever increasing number of vehicles on the road, it is very sad to see people lacking of common sense and do not have the sufficient knowledge to “Share our Roads” with other vehicle users.

Hence, these recklessness has caused many unwanted incidences and accidents to happen which caused the lost of innocent lives. 

Many accidents cases not only in Malaysia but around the world which touches our heart dearly as we share the same passion for cycling, so when we saw horror pictures and we read about cycling accidents clips on the internet. Hence, we knew the urgency to address the seriousness of the problem.

There are 4 Core Pillars for this Campaign: Safety Measures being reminded for both drivers & cyclists / Awareness & Education for ppl to become more alert to see cyclists on the road while driving and Addressing to the Authorities such as MOT / JPJ / JKJR to properly plan and execute out learner drivers training and testing module for the future, last but not least would be law implementation in the future for better protection for all of us.

  

3.    How will Share Our Roads make a difference? (Expected outcome of your campaign)

“Share Our Roads” message is very complicated to channel through to all parties; drivers, cyclists, authorities and all road users. Which many of us feel challenged to make an impact on. Campaigning for a safe distance between drivers and cyclists will require short-term interventions like cycling awareness event campaigns as well as long-term authorities and advertising solutions.

We believe that it is not simply a matter of campaign for a lane in the whole of Malaysia to all the cyclists in need, but more towards on providing safety, educational, awareness campaign in order to  provide life-saving, sports enhancing assistances and restores the harmony between all road users to eliminate unnecessary accidents involve cars and cyclists.

In the future, we hope that each and everyone in our generation will take actions in reducing the accidents rates among cars & cyclists by simultaneously spreading awareness of “Share Our Roads”. Remember, this always takes two hands to clap to create the impact; all parties must be equally involved in each and every angle.

I believe this is a GREAT UNITY Campaign for everyone to get involve and to be able to get international status known what Malaysia has done to try to make cycling as a safe sports for everyone to engage in to furthermore promoting Malaysia as a Cyclists friendly country for more to come to visit Malaysia in future.

4.       Sharing of some safety Guidelines for both cyclists and motorists.

For Cyclists-

• ·        Obey all traffic laws. Ride with the traffic, obey stop signs, traffic lights
•             and other traffic controls.
• ·        Stop at junctions and traffic lights
• ·        Use hand signals when changing lanes or turning
• ·        Stay alert and be aware of the surrounding traffic.
• ·        Ride with the traffic. Ride on the LEFT side, with the flow of the traffic.
• ·        No riding against the traffic!
• ·        Keep your distance from a large truck. They have blind spots and they
•            won't notice you.
• ·        Be visible and predictable. Wear bright colors, keep your bicycle lights on, ride straight, signal before changing directions, and plan ahead to avoid obstacles.
• ·        MUST wear bicycle helmets while cycling, tighten your helmet saves lives!

For Motorists -

• ·        Allow 1.5meter (5 feet) of passing space between the LEFT side of you vehicle and a cyclist just as you would with a slow-moving vehicle.
• ·        Allow the cyclists to pass at intersections
• ·        Always assume cyclists are travelling through the intersections.
• ·        Look out for cyclists before opening your car door
• ·        Do NOT pass cyclists if oncoming traffic is near. Wait as you would with any slow moving vehicle.
• ·        Reduce your speed when passing cyclists, especially if the roadway is
• narrow.
• ·        Don't blast your horn when approaching cyclists — you could startle them and cause an accident.
• ·        Give cyclists adequate space to manoeuvre. Recognize situations and
• Obstacles which may be hazardous to cyclists, such as potholes & debris.

5.       What Obstacles have you encountered and what have you have learned from doing a community message project like that?

We need lots of support from corporations and even from the bicycle industry to execute such a project at a massive scale but when we actively seeking for sponsorships, many have turned us away stating that nothing much will happen after all. But with our strong believe and never ending enthusiasm plus dynamic working attitude, we DID it and we will carry on doing what we believed in.

 

Nobody ever wanted to be the NEXT VICTIM.  This simply has to change.  

Together we can truly make a Difference. We concern, We Care, We Share.

In doing such a campaign we believe what Neil Armstrong has once said: <This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.>

STOP your selfish thinking & try to work for the betterment of the future no matter your clauses are big or small, local or international. Everyone's little effort is better than no body does anything at all. Believe in your dreams; work on it to make it happen.

  

6.    How would people benefit from Share our Roads in the long run?

Having campaign like this, we aim to:

a) Create a Safer Cycling Environment so cycling can be for all to enjoy

b) Increasing number of people willing to engage into the sport of cycling -

c) Increase in number of sales of bicycles

d)Benefit to all  bicycle shops, dealers, distributors, event organizers -
f) People to be More healthier to lead a active lifestyle with lesser health problems

g) Increase more human interaction as cycling is a human relationship engaging sport

7.       Any last words to our listeners here today before we end our show?

To all Motorists:  PLEASE -

Imagine “What could have been, if you would Courteously WAIT!!!”

    

Remember they are not just some cyclists who slow you down, they are somebody’s EVERYTHING!!!

                 To all Cyclists: PLEASE –

WEAR YOUR HELMET AT ALL TIMES AND TIGHTEN IT WHEN CYCLING, HELMETS SAVES LIVES!!!

NEVER RUN OVER RED LIGHTS, OBEY THE LAW!

REMEMBER YOU AND OTHERS ALSO HAVE A FAMILY TO GO BACK TO.

IN CONCLUSION, RIDE HAPPY RIDE SAFE, SHARE OUR ROADS SO CYCLING CAN BE FOR ALL TO ENJOY!!!