The Government will take for cyclists? The end of treatment after goodness – Dziennik.pl

Subject rights of cyclists and their behavior on the road and sidewalks for years arouses strong emotions. It is possible that soon government will introduce significant changes in the law , which will affect users wheelers. That is why this issue we begin a series of DGP dedicated to road traffic.

Experts point out that the existing provisions relating to the two-wheelers need to change, even in the context of the increasing popularity of bicycles. The phenomenon is conducive to the health of the Poles, but it also has a dark side. – In the last two years, approx. 15 per cent. accidents involved drivers wheelers. This share was the highest in 10 years – notes Dr. Eng. Marcin Slezak, director of the Motor Transport Institute (ITS) .

There’s a reason the government thinks about the introduction of the obligation to hold cards cycling (unless there is other evidence of knowledge of the regulations). – In recent years this group of road users much facilitated. Some feel a little too confident, as if recognizing that the challenge of the car have little chance. Not all users of the road they know how to safely move. Hence the idea that knowledge of the provisions was more common than ever before – explained in an interview with DGP Deputy Minister of Transport Jerzy Szmit .

Experts believe that the changes should not rely solely on restoring cards cycling. – It would have to withdraw the provision permissive cyclists to overtake cars on the right side. It’s very dangerous. Threatens not only cyclists, but also for drivers carrying out a maneuver to turn right – says Wojciech Pasieczny, a former police officer and expert witness in the field of accident reconstruction. He added, it would also restore deleted once a provision that forbade you drive directly in front of an oncoming vehicle, and also put on raising awareness, or – if it has no effect – punishing entering the sidewalk when they are not entitled to do so.

with the latter argument does not agree Marcin Slezak ITS. – “Sidewalk Accidents” is a rather stereotype. According to the police of all accidents caused in 2015. By cyclists only 6 percent. of them as a reason specified Not yielding to pedestrians – shows.

According to the representatives of the bicycle for some time trying them pinned patch people who are rampant. And this makes it difficult to conduct a discussion about possible changes in the regulations. – Ideas that appear in the discussion, for example. Compulsory card cycling, raise my concerns. The drivers have a driving license and accidents still occur. Instead tighten the rules, it is better to focus on catching up on infrastructure, ie. To build bicycle paths and to calm traffic. It should also put more emphasis on education, and it is at the stage school – says Jakub Furkal from the Association of Cycle Gdynia.

Interestingly, contrary to popular belief it is not the children they are most at risk. According to the Polish Road Safety Observatory (operating at ITS) approx. 80 per cent. of all fatalities among cyclists are aged at least 45 years.