Mayo cyclists saddled with number plates

Following a new report by the European Transport Safety Council which revealed 70% of road deaths in European cities are pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, Mayo County Council is taking a proactive approach to increase safety for cyclists.

As part of National Bike week from June 22 to 30, cyclists in Mayo will be issued with number plates for their bicycles in a novel programme aimed at raising awareness of cycle safety.

The scheme is part of a number of events taking place in Mayo this week as part of National Bike Week.

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."