Major safe cycling campaign launched in Bahrain

A NATIONAL campaign aimed at keeping Bahrain’s roads safe for cyclists and motorists has been launched.

It was part of a two-day Bahrain Cycling Festival that culminated in a ‘Ride with the Team’ yesterday in which more than 250 cyclists and 30 members of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) took part.

Leading the ride was Team Bahrain McLaren.

Various cycling groups along with members of Bahrain Classic Cars and the HOG attended the festival organised by Cycle Safe Bahrain.

Campaign

A number of events have been lined up throughout the year targeting not only cyclists but the community as well, to make people aware of the importance of letting people ride safely on Bahrain’s roads.

“Don’t Text and Drive, Keep Me Alive is the first awareness campaign of Cycle Safe Bahrain,” said Bahrain Cycling Association president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, on the occasion.

“I think this will have a major impact in making people aware of focusing on the road and looking for cyclists who are riding and staying away at a safe distance of 1.5 metres from the cyclists.

“We are looking forward for this campaign to really impact our riders and reach as many people as possible.

“We invite everyone to use their social media and spread the word to keep our roads safe.”

Shaikh Khalid said the events lined up will be bringing children and women into cycling and teaching them how to cycle safe on the roads.

“There are many accidents involving cyclists and motorists and we would not want to see more of this happening in the roads of Bahrain.”

An English and Arabic website is expected to be launched next month containing all information about cycling in Bahrain, cycling routes, safety instructions, cycling events and cycling rides happening every day all over Bahrain.

Bahrain Cycling Academy also officially launched its development team of seven Bahraini riders selected by Team Bahrain McLaren (TBM).

Legendary rider Mark Cavendish from Team Bahrain McLaren was also present at the event held at Arcapita headquarters in Bahrain Bay.

Cycle Safe Bahrain founding partners TriLife owner Abdulmohsen Algosaibi said school campaigns to educate children on safe cycling were in the pipeline.

“Teaching children at an early age will create responsible adult drivers in future and form a culture of respect for other users of the roads,” he said.

Redia Castillo from Perfect Solutions Advertising and PowerUp Sports said the initiative also aims to see cyclists follow road and safety rules while cycling.

AA Bin Hindi Group marketing and public relations manager Mo’men Shawqi said it was important promote road safety within the community.

Path

A Bahrain Bay Development official revealed that they have opened a cycling path around the development.

Mohammed Saleh from Bahrain Classic Cars said the club also had a responsibility to keep Bahrain’s roads safe for cyclists and other users.

Team Bahrain McLaren joint managing director Milan Erzen said efforts would be made to push for special cycling lanes incorporated in all future road development plans.

Team Bahrain McLaren brand director Kolja Koracak said that the campaign could be further expanded to include poor labourers and raising awareness in their languages with them being most riders of bicycles.

mohammed@gdn.com.bh

(Image: gdnimages/20200202\20200202105138l34.JPG)