It’s sometimes said that the key to understanding how someone else feels is to ‘walk a mile in their shoes.’ Alternatively, you could drive a mile in their car, or cycle a mile on their bike. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians all have very different perspectives on road use. Sadly – and dangerously – the three of them don’t always get along.
Many of us can be described as ‘multi-users’ of the road – because we drive and walk or walk and cycle, for example. As a survey by Continental Tyres has revealed, this can help to make us more considerate when we share the tarmac. In fact, 84% of pedestrians who were asked said that multi-users are more considerate, and 68% of car drivers said the same.
On the other hand, 75% of car drivers and 64% of pedestrians said that failing to signal – which is not just inconsiderate but also dangerous – was the most annoying habit of other road users.
There’s actually more than enough room on our roads for all of us to travel safely, whether by car, by bike or on foot. So what can we all do to make sure our journeys are as safe as they can be?
Earn your pass mark
Cyclists are probably the most vulnerable of road users, because they physically share the same space as cars. Pedestrians at least have the protection of being on the pavement.
The Rule of the Road Handbook states that drivers must share the road with cyclists and motorcyclists without putting them at risk. Yet many cyclists say the most frightening encounters they have with cars involve close passing: when motorists don’t allow enough space when passing a bike on the road.
To reduce the risk (and also to avoid being knocked off by the opening door of a parked car) many cyclists choose to cycle in the centre of the lane. Unfortunately, this can annoy motorists, who try to get past – perhaps when it’s not safe to do so – which often only makes things worse.
The Road Safety Authority asks drivers to give cyclists at least 1m leeway when driving at less than 50kph, and 1.5m when driving faster. If there are two cyclists riding side-by-side, or a group of cyclists, then even more space and care is required.
Most importantly, if it’s not safe to pass a cyclist then drivers should wait until it is. Better to add a few minutes to your journey time than to knock a cyclist off their bike.
Walk the walk
Pedestrians don’t usually share the actual road with motorists and cyclists. They stick safely to the pavement when there is one. But when it comes to crossing the road and mixing with the traffic, they are extremely vulnerable, with not so much as a cycle helmet to protect them.
That’s why, as the survey mentioned above shows, they want to see drivers using their signals, so they know which way a car is heading. 61% of them also said that drivers using mobile phones is their second most hated habit. After all, a driver concentrating on a phone conversation won’t be looking out for pedestrians.
Despite being the most vulnerable and slowest-moving road users – or perhaps because they are – pedestrians do sometimes have priority over motorists and cyclists.
When they are already crossing a road, or waiting at a zebra crossing, or at pelican crossing with the amber light flashing, pedestrians have the right-of-way and other road users must wait for them to cross. They also, it should go without saying, have the right-of-way on the pavement. Pavements are for pedestrian use only, and it’s illegal to drive or cycle fully or partly on them, except to cross the path to enter premises.
Share to stay safe
Continental, BestDrive’s tyre partners, work hard at helping us all to share our roads safely.
In the UK, Continental have been partners in a ‘Stay wider of the rider’ campaign. The ‘Sharing the Road’ survey in Ireland – from which the statistics above were taken – was commissioned by Continental. And of course, as a leading manufacturer of tyres for cars and bicycles, and even soles for adidas trainers, Continental play a practical part in helping to keep road and pavement users safe.
There’s enough road for everyone if we all share it sensibly and safely.
Continental are doing their bit. Whether you are a pedestrian, a cyclist, a motorist, or any combination of those, please do your bit too – for your own safety as much as everyone else’s.
BestDrive by Continental – You drive, we care.