On Monday, October 7, 2013, the Town of Pelham, in partnership with the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) Niagara, will become the first municipality in our region to outfit all town vehicles with “Watch for Bikes” mirror decals. The decals will be placed on the bottom of exterior mirrors as a reminder to check for cyclists and other traffic before opening doors and exiting.
According to the CAA, drivers or passengers opening their car doors in the path of cyclists contributes to some of the most frequent and dangerous car-bike collisions.
“As a Bicycle Friendly Community, the Town of Pelham recognizes the importance of raising awareness to ensure the safety of our many cyclists,” said Mayor Dave Augustyn.
Cyclists are reminded to always wear a helmet, obey the rules of the road, and follow standard safety procedures. It is safest to ride about one metre (three feet) away from parked vehicles or the curb, and having a bell ensures cyclists can communicate with other road users.
A Niagara Region Enjoy the Ride: Essential Cycling Skills video reviews the rules of the road as they apply to cyclists. Further information about Safe Cycling is available through the Ministry of Transportation website.
CAA Niagara representatives will formally present Pelham Council with the Watch for Bikes mirror decals during a photo opportunity at 6:00 p.m. in Peace Park on Monday, October 7th. A presentation will also follow during the regular council meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. that evening.
For additional information, please contact:
Dave Augustyn, Mayor
(905) 892-2607 ext. 317
Ron Bauman, CAA Niagara
(905) 984-8585 ext. 2036
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