Cyclists in Paris, September 23, 2020. -

Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP

“Watch out for bikes, watch out for bikes”.

Faced with the increase in cycling and the number of accidents, since the health crisis in particular, Road Safety is launching, this Friday, a first awareness campaign aimed at motorists and cyclists themselves.

The health crisis, but also the public transport strike at the end of 2019-beginning of 2020, accelerated an “older and sustainable movement”, underlined Thursday Marie Gautier-Melleray, interministerial delegate for Road Safety.

Road Safety is today launching a vast awareness and information campaign "Watch out for #bikes, watch out for bikes" aimed at cyclists and motorists, for better cohabitation on the road.

pic.twitter.com/okoaV4JY8F

- Road Safety (@RoutePlusSure) September 24, 2020

Since the start of the year, 123 cyclists have died

Cycle use thus increased by 30% from May 11, the start of deconfinement, to September 13 compared to the same period last year, and by 20% between 2013 and 2018, according to the association Vélo et Territoires, which brings together communities.

It concerns all areas (+ 34% in urban areas, + 20% in peri-urban areas and + 19% in rural areas), but is particularly marked in certain large cities, such as Paris (+ 72%), again according to Bikes and Territories, which relied on metering terminals installed throughout France to provide these figures.

[Press release] New Road Safety campaign "Watch out for bikes, watch out for bikes" ➡ https://t.co/CjDRFSyehf pic.twitter.com/836sY771Be

- Road Safety (@RoutePlusSure) September 24, 2020

This increase has been mechanically accompanied by an increase in mortality: 123 cyclists have been killed since the start of the year, only 29 less than over the same period in 2019, while France has been confined for two months, according to Highway Safety.

And since 2010, the mortality of cyclists has increased by 27%, while that of all road users combined has fallen by 19%.

In addition, 1,566 people were injured by bicycle from June to August 2020, against 1,362 in 2019. "The figures for 2020, out of confinement, are a little worrying" said Marie Gautier-Melleray, also citing in support the 29 cyclists who died in July, "the worst figure for ten years (for a month of July)".

Neo-cyclists who "do not necessarily have a driving license"

Road Safety is therefore launching the first large-scale awareness campaign in its history, which will be available on buses and bus shelters, in the press and on certain Internet sites.

It will notably take the form of slogans intended for motorists and cyclists themselves, who “do not necessarily have the DNA of danger” in them such as bikers or motorized two-wheelers, according to Prof. Olivier Langeron. , head of the anesthesia and surgical resuscitation department at Henri-Mondor university hospitals (Val-de Marne and Essonne).

Even more so if they recently got on their bicycles on a daily basis.

“Many neo-cyclists feel safe on cycle facilities but have not internalized all the codes (of conduct), and do not necessarily have a driving license,” explains Camille Thomé, Director of Cycling and Territories.

Cyclists will also be reminded, according to Marie Gautier-Melleray, that they cannot “exempt themselves from the Highway Code, there to protect them”.

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