68-Year-Old Cyclist Battles for Road Safety Through One Man’s Campaign

Reigning at 68, a keen cyclist from Bedale started a passionate campaign with the mission of ensuring enhanced road safety for the cyclist riding through the A6055 road. With the increased risk of cyclists, as they share the road with drivers, Martyn Coombs highlights his experience while cycling through the continent where road signs are a common sight.

There are various safety measures followed both by car drivers and cyclists that must be adhered to avoid accidents. Let us delve into this article to the safety pointers Coombs has focused upon.  

Coombs’ call for a change after witnessing the practice followed abroad

Being a cycling enthusiast, Coombs has embarked on cycling feats outside the country. Drawing experience from cycling in other parts of Europe, he urges to install road signs on the road stretching between Catterick A1(M) junction and the A61Ripon roundabout.  

Through this campaign, he urges that the road signs must serve as a reminder for motorists to maintain a 1.5-meter distance from cyclists. Coombs then shares his experience of cycling abroad with Hambleton Today stating, “Such is the compliance, it is common for drivers to sit behind cyclists for some time until there is a clear path ahead for them to safely overtake, leaving a significant gap between the bike and the vehicle.”

Rooted in his first-hand experience of being benefitted by the signs, his campaign aspires to implement similar road signs that will succeed in creating a more cyclist-friendly road environment.

The fissures in existing road safety from the cyclist’s perspective

As Coombs highlights, motorists traveling on the A6055 at a high speed of 60mph, for instance, fail to recognize the threat they pose to the two-wheelers when they refuse to maintain a safe distance. Being an avid cyclist, he proceeds to elucidate the two distinct phases that overtaking involves, saying, “Many times, whilst cycling on the service road, I have had near misses by motorists passing too close. Studies have shown there are two distinct phases when overtaking cyclists.”

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The primary phase is the pressure phase when the vehicle starts approaching that is then followed by the suction phase as the vehicle overtakes the cyclist. It is during the suction phase that chances aggravate of pulling the cyclist toward the vehicle, leading to a deadly outcome that can be otherwise avoided by maintaining a safe distance. 

To establish his point, Coombs even reiterated the tragic accident that occurred in June when a 71-year-old cyclist died on the A6055 near Pickhill. The current road already features 19 warning signs signifying a two-way road and 22 order signs that indicate a clearway. Hence, while negating his argument of sign clutter, he propounds replacing four of these signs reminding drivers to maintain the safe 1.5-meter distance  

Propelled by his passion, Martyn Coombs has taken up the initiative of contacting Mark Harper, the Secretary of State for Transport. As he awaits confirmation from the Richmond MP and Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, his sincerity and effort assist his campaign to gain momentum in its quest to ensure road safety for cyclists. 

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