Project to improve cycle safety in Birmingham

08.06 | 1 May 2020 | | 5 comments

A new project that aims to prevent collisions involving cyclists before they happen is being launched on Birmingham’s roads.

Funded by the DfT, Cycle Smart Brum has been developed by RoSPA in partnership with cycling technology and data company See.Sense

The project will involve cyclists gathering data as they ride around the city, collecting intelligence on issues such as near misses, poor road surface and potential problem junctions.

This data is designed to enable authorities to identify and prioritise infrastructure projects to make Birmingham a safer place for cycling.

RoSPA is seeking 200 cyclists who regularly ride into or around the city to take part – with data collection starting 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 you 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.”

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    Hugh – it isn’t news that people make mistakes. This project sensibly looks to improve infrastructure so that mistakes do not lead to injuries.


    Paul Luton, Teddington
    Agree (1) | Disagree (0)
    +1

    Not..’if in doubt, blame the cyclist..’ but blame the careless/reckless road user – whoever that may be (but probably the motorised road user) who caused the collisions in the first place. Let’s hope the ‘intelligence’ gathered by the cyclists, shows that and confirms what has been known for along time.


    Hugh Jones, Cheshire
    Agree (0) | Disagree (3)
    --3

    I think the See.Sense lights are great – good lights and very smart.

    But “preventing collisions before they happen”?! Isn’t that what we all try to do? You can’t prevent them after they have happened.


    David Davies
    Agree (6) | Disagree (0)
    +6

    If in doubt, blame the cyclist.


    Philip Jones, Birmingham
    Agree (1) | Disagree (1)
    0

    Will the data collected by the cyclists also include the poor road behaviour of some cyclists? Is visual evidence i.e. a headcam going to be used in which case the poor behaviour of all road users could be captured as well – to give the real picture.


    Hugh Jones, Cheshire
    Agree (10) | Disagree (4)
    +6

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