Thank you for working hard to drive safely
We get that this is a stressful job, particularly in heavily populated areas with pedestrians, bike riders and motorists.
Not everyone looks out for you or understands how tough it is to see and stop in time. But you’re looking out for everyone and everything all the time.
Double blind spot: a motorist approaches a B-double at sunset on the inside lane of the M5 westbound.
(Image: Bicycle NSW)
In order to help, we’re trying to make things safer for bike riders and pedestrians. We’re doing this in a number of ways:
Working alongside Construction, Logistics and Community Safety - Australia
Australia's CLOCS-A program enhances road safety during construction by minimizing risks and impacts associated with on-road transport and logistics. This national framework follows the UK model to provides consistency and reduce construction-related road accidents. The primary goal? Save lives and prevent serious injuries on Australian roads. Bicycle NSW and the Amy Gillett foundation inform CLOCS-A from the point of view of the vulnerable road user (VRU).
Checking out the new safety gear: Peter McLean from Bicycle NSW and Antonia Gausachs from Amy Gillett Foundation (Image: Bicycle NSW)
Focusing on a consistent safe systems approach
A safe systems approach looks at road design, human behaviour, legislation and all the systems that improve road safety. It also understands that as human beings, we make mistakes or behave unpredictably. For example, failing to notice traffic when crossing the road ought not to be a death sentence. When put together, safe systems save lives.
“This is why we advocate for separated bike infrastructure. Because most potential bike riders don’t want to mix with traffic, especially kids. Nor should they. It’s also why we’re advocating alongside Better Streets for 30km/h speed limits on local streets,” says Peter McLean, CEO Bicycle NSW. “Currently in NSW however, we have a car-first approach that is dangerous by design.”
You can read our article about moving from transport poverty to transport equity and what needs to be done.
Using technology to detect and respond to blind spots (Image: Blind Spot Sentinel)
Supporting new technology that reduce blind spots for heavy vehicles
Technology plays a vital role, alongside better street design and reduced traffic speed, in improving road safety. For this reason, Bicycle NSW and the Amy Gillett Foundation have teamed up with Blind Spot Sentinel. Sentinel is pioneering cutting-edge solutions for trucks and buses.
Our collaborative effort aims to bring the Blind Spot Sentinel monitoring system to Australian and New Zealand roads. With the goal of enhancing road safety, this state-of-the-art radar technology equips buses and large vehicles to combat blind spots effectively.
What sets Blind Spot Sentinel apart?
Imported from Germany, it boasts an innovative Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system engineered for large vehicles. Powered by sensors and AI, it detects and alerts drivers to potential blind spot hazards, significantly reducing accident risks.
The Blind Spot Sentinel system will detect and alert drivers to movement in real time
(Image from Blind Spot Sentinel video)
Embracing a safe systems approach, Blind Spot Sentinel has already proven its mettle in Germany and throughout Europe, benefiting all road users, not just cyclists and pedestrians. We’re advocating for blind spot detection to be trialled on NSW buses, to enhance road safety. Together, we can eliminate blind spots and make our roads safer for everyone.
Just one more thing
Not only do we have the best bicycle insurance, but Bicycle NSW has been actively campaigning for 47 years in NSW for better infrastructure for bike riders of all ages and abilities. Join us now and support our campaign for Better Streets.
