Share the Road, the campaign that puts truck drivers and cyclists in each others’ shoes, has received a road safety leadership award from the New Zealand Local Authority Traffic Institute (TRAFINZ).
When receiving the award at the TRAFINZ conference, campaign manager Richard Barter it confirms the value of the research that went into creating Share the Road workshops and activities.
“Behaviour change on NZ’s roads is critical in encouraging more kiwis to cycle. Putting cyclists in the cab of a truck, and truck drivers on a bike are helping change the two groups’ attitudes to each other, which all goes towards making kiwi roads safer,” says Barter.
Share the Road workshops, supported by NZTA, give the two groups clear guidance on sharing the road in a manner that is safe and respectful.
In both truck and bike workshops, professional facilitators bring participants through a structured set of exercises to help raise awareness of their responsibility in road safety.
The campaign has been running for more than three years, and was recently extended for a further three.
It originates in work over the last decade by Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) which initially brought Wellington bus drivers and cyclists together to share experiences.
Barter says the award for Share the Road recognises the support of many members of the trucking and cycling communities in NZ.
‘This award is a tribute to all the support and help given to us by local councils, bike advocates, and the NZTA, not to mention trucking companies, National Road Carriers, NZ Trucking and Road Transport Association NZ, and the many many drivers we’ve had contact with,” says Barter.
The campaign is now targeting cyclists in an initiative that aims both to build cyclists’ confidence in core competencies and to raise awareness about the features of heavy vehicles such as logging trucks.
“It’s only when the drivers go for a ride, and when the cyclists jump up into the cab of a truck, that they can understand each others’ position,” says Barter.
