Bikes: Leading Senior Constables Dave Smith and Brett Owen will be enforcing cycle safety this month. 37123
By Lia Bichel
CASEY cyclists are in the running for a prize if they demonstrate safety on their bikes this month.
Safe Cycle Month is aimed to increase bike safety and reduce the number of bicycle-related collisions.
Casey youth resource officer Leading Senior Constable Brett Owen said Casey residents could expect to see their local police out and about on bike patrol.
“There will be a strong focus on police to reinforce safe cycling, particularly the importance of wearing a helmet,” Leading Sen Const Owen said.
“Police will have a strong focus on enforcing bicycle road rules, but will also be acknowledging people who do the right thing. If we see people riding and wearing their helmet their name could go into a state-wide draw to win a prize.”
Sen Con Owen said people who are caught without a helmet could be hit with a $58 fine.
“Some people may think it’s uncool to wear a helmet, but the truth is – they save lives,” he said.
Last year, nine cyclists were killed on Victorian roads, including two that were not wearing a helmet.
There was around 15,000 collisions involving cyclists last year, and police believe many could be prevented if awareness among riders and other road users was increased.
Police said this year, four riders in Victoria have died, three as a result of collision with a vehicle. All four deaths were as a result of crashes that occurred between the hours of 7am and 10am.
Sen Con Owen said it was important for cyclists, not only in October but all the time, to wear a helmet, wear high-visibility clothing, and comply with road rules including obeying traffic light signals.
Cyclists are also encouraged to regularly maintain their bicycle by checking tyre pressure, brakes and ensure all other parts are in good working condition.
To increase chances of getting a bike back after being stolen, cyclists are urged to mark their bikes.
Safe Cycle Month is an annual road safety initiative conducted by Victoria Police, sponsored by VicRoads and supported by other government and community organisations.
