Road safety message driven home

Wanganui roading engineer Daniel Cairncross (right) and Sport Wanganui sport development adviser Norman Gruebsch lead the buses. Photo/Stuart Munro

Bus and heavy vehicle drivers came out from behind their steering wheels to get on a bike and cyclists rode in buses for a different view of road use yesterday.

Horizons road safety coordinator Glenda Leitao said sharing information on sharing the road was a NZTA national programme being held around the country.

"See the person, share the road," is the message for all road users.

Mrs Leitao underscored the message to cyclists: "Look after yourself and be responsible for your own safety."

"This programme is how cyclists and drivers view each other on the road.

"It's about respect and being aware of each other."

For instance, people who drove buses or trucks may not have been on a bike for a while, if ever, and cyclists need to know how larger vehicles see them - or don't.

Wanganui mayor Annette Main rode her bike, as did Sport Wanganui sport development adviser Norman Gruebsch, Whanganui Police Sergeant Colin Wright and council road engineer Daniel Cairncross.

They rode the first loop from the council office on Guyton St, along Wilson St, into Ridgway St, up St Hill St and back to the council, before they took a seat in a bus for the second loop.

Mrs Leitao explained that there was a blind spot for bus drivers when they turned a corner, and they also did not know how far out the bus would swing when it turned.

"This is not just about buses, there are other drivers sharing the road as well."

Tranzit manager Tom Osborne brought his team and two buses and Richard Slater from Downers was also there for the loop rides.

Mrs Leitao collated the riders' and drivers' views of their experience, which would then go back to NZTA.

All going well, the project experience of different viewpoints could be rolled out to the public, Mrs Leitao said.