Good practice submission

Research showed that 80% of drivers find it hard to see cyclists and motorcyclists. Following the death of a motorcycling friend of former AA Patrol of the Year Tony Rich the Think Bike Campaign was launched. The Think Bikes Campaign centres around a pair of simple stickers placed on a vehicle’s wing mirrors as a reminder to do a ‘double-take’ in their mirrors for cycles and motorcycles in their blind spots. The campaign was launched with the backing of Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman and 20-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness.Cycling is becoming more and more popular. Research showed that nine out of ten drivers (93%) admit it is sometimes hard to see cyclists while driving and more than half (55%) are often ‘surprised when a cyclist appears from nowhere’. This research also showed that 85 per cent of drivers think motorcyclists are sometimes hard to see and more than half (57%) are often surprised when ‘a motorcycle appears from nowhere’. The stickers placed on a vehicle’s wing mirrors as a reminder to do a ‘double-take’ in their mirrors for cycles and motorcycles in their blind spots. The Campaign was the idea of former AA Patrol of the Year, Tony Rich, following the death of a close friend in a motorcyling accident. An increase in road accidents involving cyclist and motorcylists revealed a need for a campaign to increase awareness and more effective road sharing.