Groups join forces for event aimed at improving road safety with focus on cyclists

A road safety event in Oxford city centre next month [November] will include the opportunity for cyclists to get free bike lights and hi-viz jackets to make them safer on the roads.

Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS), the University of Oxford and Thames Valley Police (TVP) are teaming up to hold the Vision Zero safety event in Broad Street on Monday 4 November from 10am - 7pm.

Visitors will be able to explore a range of stalls offering safety advice and information, aimed at helping to protect the most vulnerable road users. Once darkness starts to fall, OFRS and TVP will carry out their ‘Be Bright Be Seen’ operations, educating cyclists putting themselves and others at risk by riding without lights.

Andy Ford, Road Safety Manager at Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, said: “There are many reasons why cyclists and pedestrians can become involved in road collisions. However, by ensuring they have lights, and wear bright clothing, we can easily improve their visibility to other road users and reduce the risk they will be hit by drivers.”

The Be Bright Be Seen campaign stand will be open throughout the event, offering free bike lights and hi-viz clothing, while the community policing teams will be giving away free bike locks and offering bike safety and security advice, and information about the laws around e-scooters and e-bikes.

Cycling campaign group Cyclox will be there, as well as an HGV, supplied by Huws Gray, to help people to understand where blind spots occur in the cab.

There will also be innovative cycle safety systems on display, such as the FHOSS cycle lane and the Oxford Robotics Institute RobotBike which is carrying out trials in Oxford to monitor safety in overtaking cyclists, as well as information about cycle training.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Vision Zero is our ambition to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on Oxfordshire’s roads by 2050. No person should be killed or seriously injured as the result of a road collision, whatever mode of transport they are using.

“Education is a key part of this, whether you’re a motorist, a cyclist, or a pedestrian – or all three. So, it’s great to see so many organisations coming together in Broad Street to share advice and information that could help prevent lives from being lost on our roads.”

The University of Oxford will be providing a mobile mechanic from 10am - 4pm to carry out cycle safety checks and minor repairs for all visitors on a first come first served basis. The service is free, but users will have to pay for any parts.

Dr David Prout, Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Oxford, said: “The cyclists, scooter users and pedestrians being hurt on the roads are our friends, colleagues, students and family members; every death or injury is a tragedy that could and should have been prevented.

“Our goal is streets that are truly safe for everyone, and to reach it we need the whole community to work together, from individuals and families to the councils, universities and emergency services. We hope this event makes a real difference to keeping people out of harm's way, no matter how they choose to get around Oxford.”

Sergeant Pete Neale of the Oxford Central Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Thames Valley Police, in partnership with our local agencies, is dedicated to making bike safety more accessible and promoting safer riding habits in our community.

“Officers from the Neighbourhood Team will be present at the event to educate cyclists on best practices for safe riding. Additionally, we’ll be offering advice and providing security equipment to help protect bikes and reduce the risk of theft.”

The Broad Street event comes shortly after the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, published a road safety strategy to reduce deaths on the roads in the region, including Oxfordshire.

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