This week Bike Taupo has launched an advertising campaign targeting motorists on our local urban and rural roads. The campaign will feature a recommended distance between a cyclist and motorist when passing using newspaper and temporary signage display.

BikeTaupo feels this an important activity because of the increased numbers of cyclists and accident/incident risks in our local area. This is due to tourism and particularly large cycle related events (Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge; Ironman, Triathlon) in the area especially between September and April of each year. The various local clubs� (involving cycling) memberships have increased over the past 2 - 3 years. Further, Taupo continues to receive many tourists and visitors with bikes whether they be recreational riders or visiting for training purposes. This means additional cycle traffic on our urban and small rural roads. We therefore see it necessary to target and educate motorists increasing their awareness of cycles on our roads. This will hopefully assist in minimising the numbers of cycle/vehicle accidents and incidents.

It is known in the community that there is a very real danger associated with cycling on some of the community�s rural and urban roads, particularly due to the narrow width of certain roads and the lack of awareness between road users. One of these dangers identified is a vehicle passing a cyclist safely. When is it safe to pass and what distance should be between the cyclist and vehicle during the passing manoeuvre? Cyclists have the right to be on the road and therefore caution should be used when passing them, just as it should be when passing another vehicle.

Our campaign will hopefully encourage motorists to think about the distance they allowing between themselves and cyclists when passing, also whether it is safe to attempt the passing manoeuvre.