Initiative details
Since our inception in 2017, we have identified major road safety challenges faced by cyclists, primarily related to unsafe overtaking practices. This is a crucial problem, with the number of cyclists steadily increasing each year and many people, particularly in remote areas, relying on cycling for their daily activities. In 2023 alone, eleven cyclists tragically lost their lives in road accidents in Lithuania, an increase from five deaths the year before. In response to these alarming trends, we launched a public campaign targeting both the general public and public authorities. The aim of this campaign is to approve and implement a new road sign that mandates vehicles maintain a safe overtaking distance of at least 1.5 meters from cyclists. This sign, commonly used in many other countries, would be a first for Lithuania.
In collaboration with local authorities, we successfully erected eight such signs in various locations across Lithuania in 2023-2024, largely using our charity funds for this purpose. Our ongoing efforts are now focused on achieving nationwide adoption of this sign, particularly in areas identified as high-risk for cyclists. By doing so, we aim to significantly enhance road safety for cyclists throughout the country.
In collaboration with local authorities, we successfully erected eight such signs in various locations across Lithuania in 2023-2024, largely using our charity funds for this purpose. Our ongoing efforts are now focused on achieving nationwide adoption of this sign, particularly in areas identified as high-risk for cyclists. By doing so, we aim to significantly enhance road safety for cyclists throughout the country.
Initiative date
Who was/is your target audience?
Policy makers
Public authorities
Children 0-16
Young adults 17-25
Adults
Cyclists
Topic
Create awareness
Education in school or in community organizations
Improve vehicles and infrastructure
Knowledge building and sharing
Training
Organisation details
Minam100
Association
Lithuania
Vilnius
Contact name
Lina Okiene
Telephone number
+37069919436
lina.okiene@gmail.com
Website link
Project activities
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
Since the new road sign can currently only be erected within city and town boundaries due to the lack of nationwide approval, we have launched a campaign to extend its use to national roads, where higher traffic speeds pose greater risks to cyclists. Many people, particularly those in remote areas, rely on cycling for their daily commute, making this expansion crucial.
Starting in April 2023, we initiated a petition on the national civic initiative portal peticijos.lt to garner public support and collect signatures advocating for the nationwide adoption of the new road sign. To amplify our efforts, we promoted the petition and our broader campaign through national media, securing coverage in leading online media outlets. Additionally, we launched a social media campaign featuring well-known influencers to reach a wider audience.
We also distributed posters to promote the petition in bicycle shops, amateur clubs, and sports schools across the country, successfully placing a total of around 500 posters. In addition we designed car stickers supporting the idea of safe overtaking. Furthermore, we organized several public debates and held presentations at schools on road safety for cyclists.
Starting in April 2023, we initiated a petition on the national civic initiative portal peticijos.lt to garner public support and collect signatures advocating for the nationwide adoption of the new road sign. To amplify our efforts, we promoted the petition and our broader campaign through national media, securing coverage in leading online media outlets. Additionally, we launched a social media campaign featuring well-known influencers to reach a wider audience.
We also distributed posters to promote the petition in bicycle shops, amateur clubs, and sports schools across the country, successfully placing a total of around 500 posters. In addition we designed car stickers supporting the idea of safe overtaking. Furthermore, we organized several public debates and held presentations at schools on road safety for cyclists.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
Our collaboration with city local authorities has been particularly successful, as they supported the erection of the new road sign within city boundaries, significantly improving road safety awareness in urban areas. We also received overwhelming support from cycling shop businesses and cycling clubs, which enthusiastically promoted our campaign within their respective communities.
However, we faced challenges from certain segments of the general public, particularly drivers, who expressed negative comments. The driver-dominant culture posed a significant barrier, highlighting the need for continued education and awareness campaigns to foster a more inclusive and safety-conscious road environment for all users.
However, we faced challenges from certain segments of the general public, particularly drivers, who expressed negative comments. The driver-dominant culture posed a significant barrier, highlighting the need for continued education and awareness campaigns to foster a more inclusive and safety-conscious road environment for all users.
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
Our petition and initiative have received substantial backing from various external partners. Several municipalities, including Vilnius, Druskininkai, Molėtai, and Ukmergė city councils, have approved the new sign within their territories. Additionally, our campaign has been supported by Vilnius' public traffic coordination platform, JUDU.lt, the Lithuanian Cycling Federation, of which we are a member, and the Lithuanian Cycling Society. Their collective support has been instrumental in advancing our efforts to enhance road safety for cyclists across Lithuania. We are also an active participant in the Ministry of Transport working group on the continued promotion of bicycle transport.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
As of the date of submission, our petition has been signed by around 4,000 citizens, and we have garnered almost 200 positive comments under the petition, expressing support for the initiative and sharing their cycling experiences.
https://www.peticijos.lt/visos/85303/del-informacinio-kelio-zenklo-ir-informacinio-stendo-iteisinimo/comments/
We have received positive feedback via social media from cyclists who reported that cycling had become much safer in the areas where the new sign has been erected. This feedback was shared in our press release, which was published by Delfi.lt, 15min.lt, and lrytas.lt, three major news portals in Lithuania. The report was also aired by TV3 and LNK, Lithuania's two largest private television stations. Additionally, the initiative has seen extensive engagement on social media, with several thousand accounts reached, further demonstrating the public's support and awareness of our campaign.
https://www.delfi.lt/auto/autonaujienos/siulo-iteisinti-nauja-kelio-zenkla-ir-keisti-ket-nuostatas-120018207
https://www.lrytas.lt/auto/saugus-eismas/2023/11/15/news/dviratininkai-nepasiduoda-pastate-dar-nauju-kelio-zenklu-ir-siekia-oficialiu-ket-pakeitimu-29125643
https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/organizaciju-pranesimai/nauji-kelio-zenklai-saugos-dviratininkus-pirmieji-pastatyti-vilniuje-ir-druskininkuose-1116-2121178
https://www.peticijos.lt/visos/85303/del-informacinio-kelio-zenklo-ir-informacinio-stendo-iteisinimo/comments/
We have received positive feedback via social media from cyclists who reported that cycling had become much safer in the areas where the new sign has been erected. This feedback was shared in our press release, which was published by Delfi.lt, 15min.lt, and lrytas.lt, three major news portals in Lithuania. The report was also aired by TV3 and LNK, Lithuania's two largest private television stations. Additionally, the initiative has seen extensive engagement on social media, with several thousand accounts reached, further demonstrating the public's support and awareness of our campaign.
https://www.delfi.lt/auto/autonaujienos/siulo-iteisinti-nauja-kelio-zenkla-ir-keisti-ket-nuostatas-120018207
https://www.lrytas.lt/auto/saugus-eismas/2023/11/15/news/dviratininkai-nepasiduoda-pastate-dar-nauju-kelio-zenklu-ir-siekia-oficialiu-ket-pakeitimu-29125643
https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/organizaciju-pranesimai/nauji-kelio-zenklai-saugos-dviratininkus-pirmieji-pastatyti-vilniuje-ir-druskininkuose-1116-2121178
What has been the effect of the activities?
The reported feedback from cyclists regarding the newly erected road signs has been overwhelmingly positive. Cyclists have noted that drivers are more cautious when overtaking, indicating that the signs are having the desired effect. Since these signs are on local roads used mainly by residents, drivers have adapted their driving styles quickly.
Additionally, we have observed a significant increase in interest in our organization. As a women's cycling charity, we organize free cycling training sessions for women each year. This year, we saw a notable rise in participation, with over 100 women attending our free training sessions each week. During these sessions, we teach techniques for safe cycling both in groups and individually. Our annual free charity 100 km ride also saw increased engagement, attracting almost 250 participants last year. Through this event, we raised funds to provide safety radars to 17 cycling schools, further promoting road safety for cyclists.
Additionally, we have observed a significant increase in interest in our organization. As a women's cycling charity, we organize free cycling training sessions for women each year. This year, we saw a notable rise in participation, with over 100 women attending our free training sessions each week. During these sessions, we teach techniques for safe cycling both in groups and individually. Our annual free charity 100 km ride also saw increased engagement, attracting almost 250 participants last year. Through this event, we raised funds to provide safety radars to 17 cycling schools, further promoting road safety for cyclists.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
Our initiative is an exemplary model of enhancing road safety and raising awareness because it effectively targets and involves both drivers and cyclists. The new road sign we are campaigning for provides clear and immediate information to drivers, indicating the presence of cyclists and the need for cautious overtaking. Concurrently, we educate cyclists through our ongoing activities.
During our training sessions, we teach cyclists how to anticipate traffic and ride safely, communicate when riding in a group, take turns, slow down, and stop. Additionally, we promote our 'cyclist rules,' which cover many safety aspects. These rules are included in every package of cycling outfits we sell to raise funds for our charity. By educating cyclists and emphasizing the importance of cyclist safety to drivers, we are creating a more informed and considerate road-sharing environment, ultimately improving road safety for all.
During our training sessions, we teach cyclists how to anticipate traffic and ride safely, communicate when riding in a group, take turns, slow down, and stop. Additionally, we promote our 'cyclist rules,' which cover many safety aspects. These rules are included in every package of cycling outfits we sell to raise funds for our charity. By educating cyclists and emphasizing the importance of cyclist safety to drivers, we are creating a more informed and considerate road-sharing environment, ultimately improving road safety for all.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
We have communicated about our initiative through our primary social media channels, which include Facebook and Instagram, where we have a reach of 3,200 and over 3,000 followers, respectively. Additionally, our Strava community consists of almost 2,000 active cyclists.
To further extend our reach, we have utilized national media to disseminate our press release. It was published by major news outlets such as delfi.lt, 15min.lt, and lrytas.lt, and covered by television stations TV3 and LNK, ensuring that our message reached a broad national audience. This comprehensive approach has allowed us to effectively share information about our project.
To further extend our reach, we have utilized national media to disseminate our press release. It was published by major news outlets such as delfi.lt, 15min.lt, and lrytas.lt, and covered by television stations TV3 and LNK, ensuring that our message reached a broad national audience. This comprehensive approach has allowed us to effectively share information about our project.
Supporting materials
