Locals face of cycle campaign
March 28 2014Waipa District Council has added a local twist to a national campaign aiming to make cyclists more visible.
Images of local cyclists are appearing on billboards around the district and on social media sites like facebook. Cambridge High School acting principal John McDonnell - also a Dad - is one of those featured.
Waipa road safety co-ordinator Megan Jolly said she knew the national campaign would connect more strongly if the local billboards included local faces. So she went out and recruited locals with a story to tell.
We wanted to put a name to the face of the cyclists so we contacted cycling groups and community members who we knew were cyclists for whatever reason - work, sport or fun - and asked them to be the face of the local campaign, she said.
We found a mix of people, with various roles in the community including a high school teacher, nurse, plant manager and bus driver. Each one is a cyclist in some form or another.
To help the community identify with the cyclist, they've provided us with background on their cycling habits, and their concerns when on the road. We'll use these for a facebook campaign and by sharing their story, we hope motorists will take time to reconsider how they share the road.
Mr McDonnell is a father and a grandfather. He has been cycling for 50 years and says health and fitness, international travel and friendships have resulted. He asks motorists to please respect cyclists and take extra care when passing.
He also asks that cars be patient when passing a group of cyclists as often they will fall automatically into single file when they know a vehicle is behind them.
Ms Jolly said that although the campaign targets motorists, cyclists were also being educated about sharing the road.
We're teaching them to be safe through programmes such as Bike Wise, the Official NZ Code for Cyclists and Cycle Skills Training courses.
Via the campaign, free flouro vests with Mum, Dad, Son, Daughter, Nana, Poppa, Brother or Sister printed on the back were being made available, free, to any cyclist.
Cyclists keen to support the safety campaign and get a free vest should contact Megan Jolly at Waipa District Council on 07 823 3800.
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For further information contact: Megan Jolly, 021 298 9920
