Number plates to be distributed to cyclists in Mayo as part of new safety initiative

A novel approach to cycle safety in the west.

Cyclists in Mayo will be issued with brightly-coloured number plates in an effort to raise awareness of cycle safety on National Bike Week next week. Hundreds of the number plates will be distributed at various bike week events in the county next week, with the initiative following a recent report by the European Transport Safety Council, which revealed that pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists account for 70% of road deaths in European cities. Noel Gibbons, road safety officer with Mayo County Council, hopes the number plates scheme will help raise awareness of cycle safety. “The purpose of the number plates is to raise awareness around cycle safety and encourage more people to take to the two-wheel mode of transport rather than the four wheels,” Gibbons said. “We also want to get the young and not-so-young cyclist to remember that they have a responsibility for their own safety when using a bicycle and motorists to understand the space cyclists need on the road. “The bright-coloured number plates will have a number and safety message on them and will hang under the bicycle saddle in a bid to increase the chances of other road users seeing the cyclist.” More information on National Bike Week is available here.