This week Eastleigh MP Mims Davies – who has previously worked in road safety - again showed her support for Road Safety Week (19-25 November), coordinated annually by the road safety charity Brake.
At an event in Parliament, Mims met with representatives from Brake to talk about why cyclists and motorcyclists are amongst the most vulnerable road users and what people across our area can do to be more bike smart and help keep those on two wheels safe.
Commenting, Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said:
“Being ‘Bike Smart’ is something that many of my constituents have written to me about, and I was shocked to learn that analysis by Brake found that the South East had the highest number of bike deaths and serious injuries in the UK in 2017 with an average of five bike riders killed or seriously injured every day.
“Brake continues to do some incredible work in our area and across the country, and I have been really pleased to work with them on improving safety on our local roads, something that, having previously worked in Road Safety, I am particularly passionate about.
“It was therefore really great to again catch-up with members of the Brake team at this week’s parliamentary event while getting on a bike and reminding myself of the responsibility we all have to share the roads and take care of everyone and why cycling in heels is NEVER a good idea!”
Joshua Harris, director of campaigns at Brake, said:
“I am delighted that Mims has yet again shown her support for Road Safety Week, helping raise awareness about the safety of those on two wheels. Those on two wheels accounted for nearly half (42%, a total of 1,789) of all road deaths and serious injuries in the South East in 2017 - each a tragedy that will devastate innumerable lives. We can all be more Bike Smart in the hope that we can put an end to the tragedy of death and serious injury on our roads.
“Rural roads, with their high speeds, blind bends and few cycle lanes, pose particular danger to those on two wheels, with the risk of a fatal rural road bike crash now at its highest since 2010. The Government’s announced focus on rural road user safety is welcome and we encourage the consideration of rural road speed and bike-safe infrastructure, such as segregated cycle lanes, in its plans.
“Road Safety Week is a vital loudspeaker for individuals, communities and organisations to shout about road safety and raise awareness of the risks on our roads. With one bike rider being killed or seriously injured every hour in Britain, there is no better time for us all to be more ‘Bike Smart’.”