Reading Safer Cycling and Theft Prevention

Reading Borough Council is teaming up with Safer Roads to host the stall outside M&S in Broad Street on Wednesday 16 April, between 10.30am and 3.30pm.

The event is being held in response to the Reading Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) survey carried out last summer. Results revealed one of the main concerns listed by people who responded to the survey was ‘cycling on the footpath’.

The Council wants to encourage increased cycling in the town and a variety of initiatives are being delivered across Reading including a new bike hire scheme and a shared-use pedestrian and cycle bridge, both being delivered through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. A number of improvements are also being implemented through the Council’s recently adopted new Cycling Strategy.

In direct response to the results of the NAG survey, the Council and Safer Roads are now teaming up to provide an information service to encourage both pedestrians, cyclists and other road users about considerate road use, personal and cycle safety and bike security.

Among the highlights at the event are:

• high visibility wristbands for pedestrians and for cyclists to wear to increase their personal safety
• advice to cyclists about safe cycling, including appropriate clothing, correct lights to use and tips on hazards and junctions
• advice to pedestrians to ensure they know how to report incidents
• information on cycle routes and considerate cycling
• free bike checks by a qualified mechanic
• bike marking and security information for cyclists
• a competition to win a ‘D’ lock or a £10 voucher
• Cycling on a smoothie maker