Express & Star

New project aims to help prevent cycling deaths and injuries

A new project that aims to prevent cyclist accidents before they happen is being launched on Birmingham roads.

Published
If you're a cyclist in the West Midlands then sign up to take part

Cycle Smart Brum will see cyclists gathering data as they ride around collecting intelligence on issues such as near misses, poor road surface and potential problem junctions, enabling authorities to identify and prioritise infrastructure projects to make Birmingham a safer place for cycling.

The project is being launched by Birmingham-based charity the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents with cycling technology and data company See.Sense, and is funded by the Department for Transport.

Officially launching today, RoSPA is seeking 200 cyclists who regularly ride into or around the city to take part.

They will each then be sent a free, award-winning intelligent See.Sense bike light, and data collection will start once coronavirus restrictions have been lifted.

Nick Lloyd, RoSPA’s head of road safety, said: “This is a cutting-edge project that uses the latest technology to develop data-driven insights that will make Birmingham’s road safer for cyclists, and we’re really excited to get started.

“If you already commute by bike, ride for work, or regularly cycle in Birmingham, then please register your interest in taking part. Using information gathered as undertake your normal ride, we’ll be able to gain insight about problem areas, such as potentially-dangerous junctions or poorly-maintained roads. And, crucially, you’ll be able to report any near misses or non-injury collisions that you have, to give us a really good picture of where more serious incidents could take place.”

To volunteer for Cycle Smart Brum, visit www.rospa.com/CycleSmartBrum and fill in the application form.