A cyclist event in the city centre next month will be aimed at "improving road safety", organisers have said.
Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, the University of Oxford and Thames Valley Police are teaming up to hold the Vision Zero safety event.
It will take place on Broad Street on Monday, November 4 from 10am until 7pm.
Visitors will be able to explore a range of stalls offering safety advice and information.
When the sun begins to set, the fire service and police will carry out their ‘Be Bright Be Seen’ operations, which aims to educate cyclists putting themselves and others at risk by riding without lights.
READ MORE: Large turnout for Oktoberfest in Oxford's South Park
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, as well as information about the laws around e-scooters and e-bikes.
Cycling campaign group Cyclox will be there, as well as a 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.
"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 until 4am to carry out cycle safety checks and minor repairs for all visitors on a first-come-first-served basis.
READ MORE: Oxford serious bus incident near Westgate as man in hospital
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.”
The event comes shortly after the Thames Valley's police and crime commissioner, Matthew Barber, published a road safety strategy to reduce deaths on the roads in the region, including Oxfordshire.
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/
As a digital subscriber you will get:
- Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website
- Advert-light access
- Reader rewards
- Full access to our app
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel