Tips from a Well-Known Professional: Be Safe on Your Bike

To secure the safety of their community, most of them in the cities of the big cities, the organizers of Velomarathon have produced a series of short video recommendations. They presented by the famous cycling coach Vaidas Rimkus.

These recommendations can be seen on the Velomarathon channel on Youtube and your Facebook account. "We want cyclists to hear and see in simple terms what makes their cycling safe in the city. Wayne drops a lot of miles in the city and coaches other people. He knows what's important when cycling to the streets," said Rytis Sabas, Velomarathon's communications director.

1. Check that the bike is in good working order and that the brakes and gears are working. 2. Check that the signal lights are on and working. 3. Be sure to wear a helmet. 4. If you know that your journey will be time-consuming and dark, make sure to wear and wear a reflective vest.

1. Keep to the right side of the trail. 2. Wear a helmet - it is not known who will jump on the bike path. Even when driving slowly, injuries are painful. 3. Choose safe speed - not only for yourself but for those around you. After all, there are usually pedestrian paths near the bike paths. So it is important to be able to stop when an obstacle occurs. 4. No matter how enjoyable you are while listening to music, you need to hear what's going on. Therefore, headphones should be avoided.

2. Crossings and crossings 1. Crossings with crossings are of two types, with and without a marked cycle path. Those that are marked can be cycled. Unmarked crossings require the bike to be redone. This is for your safety. 2. When passing through a marked crossing, remember that there are pedestrians near you. They can create unexpected situations. So my recommendation is to get off the bike at all crossings. Where to go It is forbidden to walk on footpaths and sidewalks if the bicycle path is not marked on it. You must choose either the bike path, if available, or the road.

With a helmet and a vest

A German living in Lithuania cannot be surprised to see a well-dressed cyclist coming to the gas station near Marijampolė - with a brightly colored reflective vest and a helmet - who, moreover, needed to buy more vodka.

According to the Lithuanian Road Police Service, the most common violations of the Road Traffic Rules (KET) by cyclists are drunk driving, disobedience to traffic signals and failure to follow road signs. Cycling enthusiast Frank Kulikauskas is amazed at the logic of the people on campus: "They ride their bicycles with friends to get drunk. He argues that if a car is drunk, it can kill another person, and if they ride a bicycle, they may just kill them."

This year, more than 4 thousand of the bicycle drivers who committed KET violations, 2,471 were intoxicated. Also, they do not obey traffic control signals, do not obey road signs, obey motorway traffic regulations, and there are cases when bicycles do not comply with the requirements of KET.

According to the data of the Lithuanian Road Police Service, the results of preventive measures implemented indicate that the most violations of bicycle drivers are detected in the territories supervised by the Panevėžys, Šiauliai, Marijampolė County Police Headquarters.

With a helmet and a vest sew on reflective tape

During the four months of this year, 2,471 drunk drivers were detected, 8,125 in 2014, and 5,345 drunk cyclists were arrested in 2013.

Bicycle enthusiast F. Kulikauskas is amazed at people's desire to sit at the wheel of a bicycle when they are intoxicated.

"Before Christmas, I drove to Germany by car and had to stop at Marijampolė to refuel. It was dark and a drunk cyclist arrived at the gas station. He wore a bright-colored vest, a helmet, but came to buy some more vodka. Smaller cities have repeatedly seen people cycling with friends to get drunk. He argues that if a car is drunk, it could kill another person, and if they ride a bicycle, they might just kill them," says LRT.lt.

The Code of Administrative Offenses provides that driving and riding, cycling when intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics, psychotropic or other psychoactive substances, with a mild degree of intoxication (from 0.41 to 1.5), fines between € 86 and € 144.

Riding and riding, cycling when intoxicated or intoxicated with narcotic, psychotropic or other psychoactive substances, with moderate (1.51 to 2.5 promise) or severe (2.51 promise and above) degree of intoxication, - imposes a fine of between EUR 144 and EUR 202.

The inhabitants of the province are accustomed to waistcoats, and the townspeople do not get used to it

Marija Kazanovich, a senior specialist in the General Affairs Group at the Lithuanian Road Police Service, says cyclists are gradually becoming accustomed to wearing brightly colored vests, especially in the province.

"The bigger problem is in cities. Also, there are people, such as those who enjoy pleasure, leisure, and athletes who do not wear such a vest during daylight hours. It is from some principle that he does not enforce the law. Although they are usually car drivers themselves, of course, they know from practice how a pedestrian, a bicycle driver with a reflector or other reflective object is visible from a distance," Kazanovich told LRT.lt.

Asked by LRT.lt whether police are conducting special raids to monitor cyclists' compliance with the KET, Mr. Kazanovich responded: "Special preventive measures are being implemented on an ongoing basis. About 20 such republican preventive measures are organized every year in the country."

Republican preventive measures in the last quarter of 2014 uncovered 456 bicycle riders who failed to meet their requirements during daylight hours (wearing a bright-colored vest or driving with appropriate lights on the front and rear of the bike). This year, 593 violations were recorded as a result of such measures.

F. Kulikauskas says that in Germany there is no requirement to wear a bright-colored vest, where the bicycle must have reflectors and lights. "Now when I go with a young child I usually put on a vest. But sometimes it's funny when you go to the mall and people think I'm some kind of security guard or builder. It's not always nice to walk with that bra," the cyclist laughs.

Rules for cyclists to follow:

Cycling is permitted for persons aged 14 and over, and for persons aged 12 and over who have completed an appropriate training course and are certified by a training institution; there is no age limit for bicycle riders in the residential area;

Bicycle drivers (passengers) under the age of 18 must wear a cyclist's helmet when traveling on the road. Other cyclists over the age of 18 are advised to wear a bicycle helmet and wear a bicycle helmet;

Cycling is only allowed on cycle paths and where there is no suitable sidewalk (with asphalt or concrete pavement) according to the direction of traffic; where there is no bicycle lane and the sidewalk is inadequate, one lane of the carriageway is allowed to run as close as possible to its right edge;

If the traffic is heavy and you need to turn left, turn or cross the road, the bicycle rider must climb and cross the carriageway while driving the bicycle without obstructing other vehicles.

The bicycle rider must wear a bright-colored vest with reflective elements or white light at the front and a red light at the rear when riding a bicycle. When driving on the road at night or in poor visibility, the bicycle must have a white light on the front and a red light on the back of the bicycle, and the bicycle rider must wear a bright vest with reflective materials. 

The specialist warns parents of children on bicycles: this safety measure is a must

Although summer is slowly giving way to autumn, bicycle riders remain active. Not only do they cycle to work, but they also take their offspring to kindergartens, clubs, etc. Senior Specialist Inspector List Dijokait warns parents to follow traffic rules more closely and to transport their children by bicycle with due care for their safety.

According to the inspector, when choosing a child seat it is important to pay attention to the basic parameter - what weight the child is intended for. "Weight is paramount because otherwise, the driver may not have control over the bike. Another important thing is that the child must wear a helmet. There are no exceptions," she said. If a helmet is required, a reflective vest is not. "When it comes to a child who is like a passenger on a bicycle, a vest is not mandatory for him. When it comes to the driver, a vest is always needed if you are driving in the dark. In daylight hours, a vest is only required when the cyclist is in the driveway. There are places where bike lanes are part of the road. For example, in Vilnius, Gedimino ave. If such a lane is used during the day, either a vest or lights are needed," A.Dijokaitė shared the traffic rules. Nowadays, when not only bicycles but also electric scooters have taken over the streets, the inspector says it is not safe to park your child on such a scooter. "There are no rules, but I think that is dangerous. By default, all motor vehicles - motorcycles, mopeds, quads, tricycles - can only be occupied by persons over the age of 12. The carriage of younger persons is prohibited. The traffic rules do not specify what can be carried with electric bikes or scooters, but if it can be classified as a moped in terms of power and may exceed the speed limit, the child must not be carried. This is very unsafe and should not be," the inspector said.

However, she sees the most common offense on the street when parents carry children without helmets. "A helmet is mandatory in such situations. If a child drives a bicycle himself/herself, then a helmet is also mandatory if he/she is 18 in the driveway. It is recommended for adults over 18," the inspector recalls.

Drivers of the emerging innovation are in the sights of both officials and medical staff

With the recent rise in the popularity of electric scooters, it is noticeable that this pastime is often the culprit of physical injury. And in some cases, the drivers of such vehicles fall into the limelight of the police.

Although according to statistics provided by Kaunas medical staff, scooter drivers are less involved in traffic accidents than other vehicles, however, in July, Kaunas City Ambulance Station (GMPS) dispatcher received calls reporting injuries caused by 4 people falling from an electric vehicle. scooter. Injuries of all ages "Among those injured were a 16-year-old teenager, a 26-year-old girl, a 38-year-old woman, and a 42-year-old man. All of them applied to Kaunas GMPS dispatcher for a bruising, short-term loss of consciousness and limb fractures, and were presented to Kaunas Clinic Emergency Trauma Center," Donatas Paliulionis, Kaunas County GMPS dispatch administrator and dispatcher, told Kaunas. Patients reportedly suffered similar injuries because they did not wear protective helmets while using electric scooters. The interlocutor said he noticed that not all people who have been injured while traveling by scooter seek medical attention, so the number of victims is likely to be significantly higher than last month's call analysis.

Accident increases in warmer weather The number of injured electric scooter drivers tends to increase during the warm season, as do cyclists, as most people change cars, public transport to scooters, but forget their safety.

When traveling both by scooter and other two-wheeled vehicles, a person must take care of his or her safety and, of course, be visible to other road users," emphasized Mr. Paliulionis. Asked to share tips that could help prevent similar types of accidents, a GMPS spokesman in Kaunas did not hide - although for those over 18, a helmet is only a recommendation, and a specialist would advise anyone to wear it. "Don't forget - the electric scooter can reach 25 km / h. and higher speeds. Falling without a helmet remains a real possibility of serious head injuries. Of course, the wearing of reflective vests must also be mandatory. It is better to be out of fashion but to be visible," added D. Paliulionis.

"We notice that scooters do not climb the scooter and cross the pedestrian crossing, although they should go near the vehicle," said Vigintas Lukošius, Chief of the Kaunas Police Head Police Commissariat (LSC) Road Police Board. The police often also notice another extremely unsafe way of traveling, with not only one adult riding a scooter but a child standing beside it. In this case, the risk of an accident is significantly increased.

KET exceptions do not apply “Electric scooters are assimilated to a motorbike and their drivers have not only the same rights but also responsibilities. They have to follow the Road Traffic Rules (KET) - cycling, cycling and pedestrian paths, bicycle lanes where they do not exist - with a dedicated roadside, ”recalled Kaunas County. Chief of the LSC Road Police Board. As instructed by the KET, the driver of an electric scooter must give way to pedestrians, ie. must not interfere with them or endanger them. Drivers of this type of vehicle must also wear a bright-colored safety vest with reflective fabrics or white light at the front of the bicycle and a red light at the rear when driving on the carriageway. Minors on an electric scooter trip, officials say, are required to wear a safety helmet. During the first half of this year, Kaunas County six accidents involving electric scooters were registered by the police.

Electric scooters and road safety

Electric scooters, an increasingly popular vehicle in urban areas, not only provide convenience for everyday travel but can also pose a safety risk. To find ways to ensure that environmentally-friendly vehicles spread in cities without causing chaos and pedestrian danger, the Ministry of Transport and Communications is inviting municipalities for discussion and expecting ideas from the public. "Electric scooters are a very comfortable and environmentally friendly vehicle. However, we would like to remind you that their users are also road users, who are bound by all rules of safe conduct. Unfortunately, there are more and more examples of scooters endangering themselves and others. We don't want to talk about prohibitions, we have enough of them, but a discussion about traffic culture is a must," said Minister of Transport and Communications Rokas Masiulis. E-scooters with power up to 1kW and a maximum speed of 25km / h equate to motorbikes. The drivers of such e-scooters should keep in mind that they are subject to the same requirements as cyclists. Both bicycle and e-scooter drivers must give way to pedestrians, not be disturbed or endangered. When passing a pedestrian, the speed must be reduced to a speed close to the person's walking distance (3-7 km / h) and a safe distance must be maintained.

Also, to cross a pedestrian crossing, both the e-scooter and the bicycle rider must disembark from the vehicle and carry it safely. During the dark hours, you should wear a bright safety vest with reflective tapes and have lights on. Where there are no cycle paths or bike lanes, sidewalks, bicycles are allowed on the sidewalks. In Lithuania, it was decided to allow this in 2014, given the inadequate bicycle path infrastructure and the safety of cyclists. Recently, the proliferation of e-scooters has led to an increase in related accidents. Pedestrian dissatisfaction is also heard that e-scooters on the sidewalk are a threat to the safety of both pedestrians and e-scooters themselves. It is noticeable that in some cases e-scooter drivers either do not know or disregard the statutory traffic regulations. The Ministry of Transport is appealing to all municipalities in the country to discuss the modalities of e-scooter participation in public traffic. Citizens' opinion is also awaited. The ministry also invites municipalities to carry out active educational training and supervision of road users and to develop bicycle-friendly infrastructure enabling safe cycling and e-scooter traffic.

Drones pilots will need reflective vests and OCTA

To promote the safety of unmanned aircraft, including drones, the government approved procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft and other aircraft.

The rules stipulate that remote piloting will be possible from the age of 16, except high-risk flights from the age of 18. The operations of sensitive unmanned aircraft will be subject to long-term approval by the Civil Aviation Agency (CAA). This will require you to pass a test of theoretical and practical knowledge, a flight risk assessment and a flight record. The CAA will conduct a test of remote pilots' theoretical knowledge and practical skills free of charge.

The new regime regulates safety clearance depending on the mass and speed of an unmanned aircraft. With the CAA's permission, it will be possible to fly unmanned aircraft near a public event. At the same time, conditions will be eased for flights close to or above infrastructure facilities. It is intended to introduce an information sign prohibiting the operation of unmanned aircraft. Cabinet regulations define state and military unmanned aircraft separately.

Liability insurance is also provided. It will henceforth be extended to unmanned aircraft with a total take-off mass of over 250 grams for high-risk operations. On the other hand, unmanned aircraft with a take-off mass above 1.5 kg will require third party liability insurance regardless of the risk of flight.

The remote pilot will be responsible for ensuring that he and the flight observer are visible and wear a reflective vest.

The regulations impose stricter requirements for the operation of unmanned aircraft near aerodromes or elsewhere that impose restrictions on the use of airspace.

Pet Safety on the water. How to choose a life jacket for a dog?

Summer, sun, wind and of course water! As you know, not only people but also our four-legged friends enjoy the pleasures of water. Even if a dog is a good swimmer, it can cause panic in dangerous situations, so the owner needs to take care of the pet's safety early.

Several factors influence your dog's water safety:

A dog accustomed to a peaceful life at home, quickly tired of swimming. If the pet has swum too far and is not out of the water by itself, it will panic;

waves or underwater currents can quickly exhaust even the best swimmer;

some dog breeds, such as French bulldogs or pugs, are not physically fit for long-term swimming. They have short legs, a large head and a flat muzzle that make breathing difficult during bathing;

even dog breeds that like water, such as Labradors, can experience discomfort when swimming if they are overweight, sick, or age-sensitive.

One way to take care of your pet's safety is to purchase a life jacket for him. Wearing a safety vest before bathing will allow the animal to remain afloat in any situation. The moment the animal starts to panic, it may try to climb on the owner - if he wears a life jacket, the dog will lose weight and will not endanger the human being.

If they tip over when traveling by boat or kayak, the life jacket will help your dog float quickly over water and reduce panic. Animal life safety jackets are also equipped with a handle above the animal's back - if the dog falls into the water, the owner can lift it comfortably and quickly.

The vest with reflective tape will also be useful if the pet is just learning to swim - it provides an extra sense of security and reduces the animal's fear.

How to choose a life jacket?

Good buoyancy. There should be foam padding on the back and sides of the vest so that the dog is always in a natural swimming position.

Size. The life jacket must fit close to the animal's body, but be careful not to tighten it too. It is possible to adjust the size of the vest a little, but you should go to the store with the dog to try it on.

Handle. The lifejacket must be fitted with a durable and ergonomic handle so that the pet can be quickly lifted out of the water when needed.

Closure. The vest's closure must be durable and of good quality so that it does not slide off the body of the dog itself and can be opened and closed quickly if necessary.