New programme urges cyclists to ‘see and be seen’

Volvo Trucks has launched a new campaign and training programme in a bid to improve the safety of teenage and adult cyclists.

‘See and Be Seen’ was launched last month at the International Cycling Safety Conference in Bologna and is a continuation of Volvo’s training programme for young children, ‘Stop Look Wave’.

The new programme, which is available free of charge, aims to improve understanding of how unprotected road-users and trucks can interact in the traffic environment. It includes a new training package which encompasses teacher aids including presentation materials, films and practical exercises.

See and Be Seen focuses on the importance of watching surrounding traffic and making oneself visible to truck drivers, for instance by maintaining eye contact and by keeping a safe distance from trucks.

‘See and Be Seen’ is designed to be able to be used with secondary school pupils, but it is also suitable for road safety organisations working with adults.

Carl Johan Almqvist, traffic and product safety director at Volvo Trucks, said: “Just like with ‘Stop Look Wave’, the ‘See and Be Seen’ programme aims to improve understanding of how unprotected road-users and trucks can interact in the traffic environment.

“However, this time we are focusing specifically on cyclists, teenagers and adults alike. With the fast pace of today’s traffic, it is vital that as many people as possible are aware of the risks in order to avoid incidents.

"In order to reduce the risk of traffic accidents, we equip our trucks with increasingly intelligent safety systems and train truck drivers in the art of safe driving.

“However, since the human factor is of crucial significance in most traffic accidents, it is vital to increase safety awareness among all road-users."

The materials, which are published in English, can be downloaded free of charge here.