Compulsory use of high visibility clothing by cyclists would make them safer, says Ken Shirley, CEO of the Road Transport Forum (RTF).
“We’ve watched the recent debate over this issue following the call made by the Wellington regional coroner, Ian Smith, to make wearing such gear a requirement,” says Shirley.
“We agree with Smith that it is a no-brainer and we can’t understand why some in the cycling community are so vehemently opposed to what is really a sensible safety measure. It’s almost as though they don’t want to take responsibility for their own welfare on the road. So we feel it is time to add our voice to the debate.”
Shirley says that while it can be difficult at times to see cyclists on city or town streets, it can be far greater problem on the open road where many of the forum’s members operate.
“A cyclist wearing dark clothing in fading light or on a grey, wet day out in the country can be very hard to spot. Especially on the open road, high visibility clothing would help cyclists stand out. That must make cyclists safer.
“Smith’s call for compulsory high visibility clothing especially resonates with the trucking industry because his comments come as a result of his inquest into the death of Superintendent Fitzgerald who was struck by a truck.
“We represent the responsible trucking operators who make up the vast majority of the industry and they take road safety for cyclists as well as all other users seriously. That’s why we signed a safety protocol with Cycle Tours Operators of New Zealand in 2008, which they report is working well.
“Road safety is the responsibility of all road users. Cyclists have to play their part by making themselves as visible as possible.”
