Cyprus-Forum.com

[AQ]

I read the headline in the Cyprus Mail that there would be a rethink following the deaths of cyclists on the roads.

As a keen cyclist I thought that this would be along the lines of educating motorists to the fact that cyclists are in fact legitimate road users. The roads in Cyprus are extremely dangerous for anyone on a bike. You may as well be invisible. Those who do see you think you are need to be pitched into the roadside.

The following article is unbelievable.

'Tougher penalties for cyclists who break the law'. They are fucking dead, you arse-hole Director of Traffic.

I'd laugh if it wasn't so fucking sad.


Cyclists’ deaths prompt rethink over bike laws
By Leo LeonidouTWO cyclists’ deaths in a week have prompted the police to call on the state update the law on the use of bicycles.

According to the Director of the Traffic Unit, there must be tougher penalties for cyclists who break the law following an increase in accidents involving bicycles.

Two cyclists were killed in the space of 48 hours earlier this week,.

On Monday night, a man was hit by a car in Lymbia, which then fled the scene. However, the collision caused the driver’s front licence plate to come off, making it easy for police to find and arrest the 32-year-old driver.

The victim had been run over a second time by a separate vehicle while lying on the asphalt.

On Wednesday, a 24-year-old Chinese student died after being hit from behind by an articulated lorry on Strovolos Avenue in Nicosia.

According to official police statistics, two cyclists were killed in 2006, with 18 seriously injured. The following year, three lost their lives, with 11 seriously injured.

There have been three fatalities so far this year,.

Assistant Chief of Police Andreas Iatropoulos yesterday said that he is “troubled” by the number of accidents and called on Parliament to vote in a new bill to increase safety.

“The existing law covering bicycles dates back to municipality regulations from the 1930s and the fine stipulated, which is not more than €10, is still written in shillings on the relevant documents,” Assistant Chief of Police Andreas Iatropoulos stated last month.

Achilleos yesterday told the Mail that the fine is actually €8.50 and called for more designated cycle lanes to be set up.

Iatropoulos wants to make it compulsory for working lights to be used when it is dark, as well as for bicycles to be fitted with reflective strips.

“Riders must also wear a helmet and appropriate clothing in order to be seen, and it goes without saying that they follow the Highway Code,” he said.

“Cyprus is becoming a more multicultural society and we are seeing more and more people from overseas here, with many riding old bicycles which in many cases are not road-worthy, meaning they are putting their lives at risk. This is not an acceptable situation.”

A spokesman for the Cyprus Cycling Federation said that international surveys have proven that protective measures such as flashing lights, both front and back, appropriate clothing and use of helmets greatly increase safety.

Eftychios Kasapis, who is also the Federation’s main trainer, explained that cyclists should never ride side by side, but one behind the other.

“One of the main problems here in Cyprus is that the driver thinks he is the king of the road and does not respect cyclists or pedestrians, who he views as a nuisance,” he said.

“Cyclists have the same rights as all other road users and must be respected, but we urge them to use extra vigilance to compensate for the attitudes of drivers.”

Kasapis said education at their academies has resulted in not a single accident involving a motor vehicle and one of their members since the Federation was established back in 1978.

Environment Commissioner Charalambos Theopemptou has long pushed for proper regulations governing cycling.

“Cyclists simply do not know how to behave on many occasions,” he said. “At traffic lights, where should they stop? To the left? In the middle? In front of a car? Behind a car? And what about priority at junctions?”

The Commissioner said the Highway Code needs to be updated to properly include cycling.

He added: “In general I feel that cyclists do not take enough protective measures, but the state must do more.”




Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008

[Kent]

have you read that artical?

cannot see why your disagreeing? training, update to law and Highway code, saftey equipment and lights, cycle paths?

[haplessboyrussell]

AQ - I'm so pleased someone else had exactly the same reaction as I did when reading that article. The attitude that the problem is the cyclists and not the car drivers says it all about the attitude to cyclists in Cyprus.

One of the deaths last week involved a cyclist in Strovolos Avenue - I cycle down Strovolos Avenue to work every single day. I always follow the highway code, I'm always aware of what's happening behind me as well as in front of me, and yet barely a week goes past where I don't have to take immediate action to avoid someone turning left into me, "closing me off" while going past parked cars, or turning out in front of me.

I'm not saying that there aren't some stupid cyclists out there, but a clamp-down on cyclists - who aren't clogging the roads of Nicosia, aren't adding pollution, aren't parking on the pavements and blocking the way of others - it really isn't the solution.

There seems to be a complete lack of understanding in Cyprus that cyclists have an equal right on the roads. This is the problem.

[haplessboyrussell]

Kent - you're also correct - the article does mention sensible safety precautions that cyclists with half a brain should be taking. The objection is against what seems to be the opinion of the article writer that cyclists got killed = cyclists must be at fault and should be fined more.