North West AA Patrol Man Launches National Safety Camapaign

[Wirewire]

An AA patrol from Warrington will join North-west legends Chris Boardman and John McGuinness in London today (7 March) to launch a national road safety campaign that he helped develop.

 

Tony Rich, the AA’s patrol of the year, had the idea for the ‘Think Bikes’ campaign after a family friend, Jack Bellis, 19, was tragically killed in a motorbike accident in October 2012.

 

He designed small stickers for the side mirrors of a vehicle to remind drivers to do a ‘double-take’ for those on two wheels. There is a bicycle sticker for the passenger side and a motorcycle one for the driver side.

 

 

The campaign started out as a legacy to Jack Bellis before Tony approached the AA, his employer, for support.

 

Tony Rich, AA patrol of the year, says: “We are all a bit overwhelmed to see how far the campaign has come. It’s been really inspiring to see this germ of an idea now set for a high-profile national launch with the help of Chris Boardman and John McGuinness.

“‘Think Bikes’ is just about making a difference. We would encourage all drivers to use the free stickers and do a ‘double-take’ in their mirrors for cyclists and motorcyclists.”

 

Andy Bellis, Jack’s father, says: “Jack’s accident had a huge impact on everyone but we were determined that something positive would come of it. Tony’s sticker idea is such a simple but effective one and we are delighted that Jack’s legacy is now part of a national road safety campaign.

 

“Tony has worked incredibly hard to get us where we are today and we’re all very proud of him.”

 

Dramatic new figures show 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’.

 

These are the results of an AA-Populus poll of 17,629 drivers. A previous AA-Populus poll showed 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’.

Failure to look properly is the most commonly cited (42%) contributory factor in UK road accidents, adding further weight to the need for road users to have greater awareness of each other.

 

The AA ‘Think Bikes’ campaign is supported by British Cycling and The Motorcycle Industry Association. They are represented at the launch in Marble Arch, London, by Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman and 20-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness.

 

It also received the backing of The Rt. Hon. Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, Road Safety Minister, Department for Transport, Police, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and a host of cycling and freight groups.

 

An initial one million free stickers will be distributed by the AA and at all Halfords outlets.

[observer]

Perhaps "free" HI-VIZ clothing and lights for bikers might help too ?

[boris1066]

That was my sentiments and additionally minimum night time lighting needs to be enforced. Some cyclists seem to think that an "AAA" powered rear light is adequate precaution when meandering through the traffic in the gloom.

[Dizzy]

Has anyone seen the stickers in Halfords or anywhere yet ? 

I think it's a good idea especially for newer drivers so was hoping to get some for our lad's new car. 

As for some cyclists... BLOODY IDIOTS is all I can say !!

[Bazj]

As for some cyclists... BLOODY IDIOTS is all I can say !!

 

ONLY Some??????

[Wirewire]

Has anyone seen the stickers in Halfords or anywhere yet ? 

 

I think it's a good idea especially for newer drivers so was hoping to get some for our lad's new car. 

 

As for some cyclists... BLOODY IDIOTS is all I can say !!

 

 

They should be available at any Halfords store, although I haven't actually checked!