Road safety in Portsmouth

In Portsmouth, the majority of cycle collisions happen at junctions. This trend is increasing (84% in 2016 compared with 78% in 2011).

Our data shows that these accidents happen mostly because drivers are failing to see cyclists – this is the main cause of 74% of collisions involving cyclists. The highest casualty periods are peak commute times, with July also being the highest casualty month.

Through multi-agency events, and with the help of a HGV, we educate drivers and cyclists on vehicle blind spots and demonstrate cyclists’ vulnerability to other road users.

By providing face to face intervention, our road safety officers show how positioning can place them in a blind spot, with pedestrians, drivers and cyclists taking each other’s viewpoints.

Our road safety team will be on hand with information and advice, and helpful giveaways to remind us all to look out for each other. Pick up your free AA wing mirror sticker.

The ‘Be Bright, Be Seen’ initiative focuses on the importance of being seen during the hours of darkness. The most common cause of injuries to cyclists in Portsmouth is due to drivers not seeing the cyclist. To help overcome this, our road safety and active travel team run a number of Be Bright operations.

Working with Hampshire Police, cyclists without lights are stopped and offered education and guidance by a road safety officer. They are given the opportunity to avoid a fine (£50) if they purchase and install lights within 28 days. Those without lights receive a temporary set of lights to get them home safely.

Watch this video, produced by British Cycling, giving tips to cyclists on how to make themselves visible on the roads.

The council works hard to educate both cyclists and drivers on this issue and has various cycle products for sale at low or cost prices – the range of products and prices is detailed in the list available from the documents section below.

To order items please email travel@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or phone 023 9283 4092 – you’ll need to pay and collect at the cashiers in the Civic Offices main reception, which also enables you to check that products fit before you buy. The cashiers are open 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday.

Give Space, Be Safe is a joint operation between Hampshire Constabulary and Portsmouth City Council to promote safe driving in relation to cyclists. It targets drivers who fail to follow Highway Code rules on passing distances when overtaking cyclists. This is sometimes referred to as a near miss or close pass, which puts cyclists at risk.

Offending drivers commit the offence of careless driving. Instead of prosecution, they are offered the choice to attend a nearby educational advice service on the Highway Code and safe driving. They also complete a roadside eyesight test and have their documents checked. The Highway Code states ‘overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so’ and that drivers should allow vulnerable road users as much room as they would when overtaking a car.

A driver deemed to be driving dangerously close can expect to be prosecuted and taken to court.

The campaign has received backing from Cycling UK, whose ‘close pass’ mats are used by road safety officers to show drivers the safe distance for overtaking a cyclist.

Tiger crossings provide a crossing point for cyclists at a pedestrian zebra. The cycle area runs parallel to the zebra and is clearly marked. This gives cyclists the same priority as pedestrians.

Tiger crossings have been successfully introduced in Hong Kong, Europe and more recently in other UK cities such as London, Cambridge and Bournemouth.

The tiger crossing in Portsmouth is located on the junction of Goldsmith Avenue and Fawcett Road, close to Priory School. On this crossing the cycle lane is marked in red and aims to encourage cyclists to use the cycle path, instead of cycling round Fratton roundabout.

Guidance for using a tiger crossing

Pedestrians and cyclists

Follow the guidance below:

• Give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross.
• Always check that the traffic has stopped fully and the road is clear before crossing.
• Pedestrians should always cross over the zebra markings and cyclists on the marked cycle area. Do not cross at the side of the crossing or on the zig-zag lines, as it can be dangerous.

Drivers and other road users

• When you approach the crossing, look well ahead and reduce speed to allow more time to spot approaching pedestrians or cyclists.
• If pedestrians or cyclists are approaching the crossing, stop your vehicle just before the broken white lines to give way. Pedestrians and cyclists have the right of way to use a tiger crossing.