Municipality acquired new bicycles with safety equipments

In what was described as a new step towards the sustainable mobility of the commune, the mayor Eduardo Soto in safety clothing gave the official go to this innovative program that proposes to replace the use of the car and promote the network of bikeways in the city.

The building house of Rancagua has about 9 buildings distributed in different points of the commune; all of them accessible through the more than 54 kilometers of bikeways that the regional capital holds. With the foregoing in mind, it is that the mayor Eduardo Soto together with the Secretary of Community Planning, Raimondi Agility, promoted the idea that their officials could move between these points through the use of bicycles.

With an investment of close to 10 million pesos, the municipality acquired 25 new bicycles with a unique design and with all the available safety equipment (helmet, padlocks, lights and even a reflective vest), which will start this pilot in the municipal building of Plaza Heroes. Moreover, that will soon be replicated in the rest of the institutional establishments setting an unquestionable precedent in terms of the use of ecological and efficient mobility alternatives promoting gradually healthy living and exercise.

On the unprecedented initiative, Eduardo Soto pointed out that after consolidating Rancagua's cycle path network and delivering more than 500 bicycles to different educational establishments. "Today we are in the next stage of being able to use this alternative and sustainable means of transport with our municipal officials of so that many of the trips they make between one building and another and especially those working in the CDC touring the towns and villages can join this campaign called "A pedaling through Rancagua", "he said.

Raimondi Agility, Secretary of Community Planning of the municipality of Rancagua and confessed cyclist, highlighted this new advance in the use of the bicycle and especially in what translates to take a car off the street and replace it with a self-propelled vehicle. "This investment allows convert 25 less cars on the street, that is, 25 officials promoting sustainable mobility to the community and within the same municipality.”

As for those who will make use of modern bicycles and safety equipments, Francisco, sectionalist SECPLAC said, "We are proud to see as a municipality can do powerful and innovative things and we also hope that this will motivate other municipalities to take this witness and advance in this same line of generating alternatives to the automobile.”

Safety vest mandatory in Germany since July

Since 1 July, it is mandatory to have at least one reflective safety vest in the car in Germany. This measure applies to motorists, truck and bus drivers.

The safety vests must be stored within easy reach, so not in the trunk. The ANWB advises you to take a safety vest in the car for all occupants.

In commercially used vehicles (including foreign ones), a safety vest must already be present for every occupant. The high visibility vest is not required for motorcyclists and motor home drivers.

The vests are already mandatory in several other European countries, such as Belgium, France, Austria, Spain and Italy. Those who cannot show the reflective vest after 1 July after a check risk a fine of € 15.00. Curious about what else you should have with you in the car in Germany?

New safety clothes for the Groningen fire department

Firefighting Groningen gets new push-out kits for all its 900 firefighters in the province of Groningen. Recently the new clothing was presented in the presence of the supplier. The first reflective uniforms will be delivered around the summer and at the end of 2018 all old uniforms will be replaced.

Besides the color change, from black to beige, the new suit consists of two parts, an overall, and an overcoat. "This has to do with the various activities that the fire brigade carries out. Assisting with accidents can be done in an overall, but for extinguishing a fire, the overcoat must be worn over it, "says Aria Meringa, project manager for new armoring clothes.

The reflective material of the new uniform is also lighter in weight, more comfortable and has a better fit. "Safety comes first when carrying out the work by the fire brigade; the new clothing is more visible through the reflective upper part of the uniform, according to Meringa.

In the past two years, the Fire Department of Groningen has been working on a good and comfortable suit. In this process, the firefighters as users were central. Various kits were tested by a delegation of the fire brigade on wearing comfort, use during work and on heat resistance. "The new safety uniform was rated the best by all testers," says Aria Meringa. "We look back on an intensive, but unique project.

Rules of the road: the rights and duties of the cyclist

Like motorists, cyclists are required to follow the rules of the road. Road traffic rules: the rights and duties of the cyclist - Gradually, new measures encourage the French to choose the bicycle as an alternative to public transport and the automobile. However, before taking the handlebars, the knowledge of some basic safety rules is required.

To travel, a bicycle must be equipped with a bell, front and rear brakes, front and rear lights, reflectors (red on the back, white on the front, orange on the sides and on the pedals). Wearing a certified retro-reflective vest is also mandatory for all cyclists traveling outside the city, at night or in the event of insufficient visibility. Passenger transport is prohibited unless the bicycle is equipped with a specially designed seat and is equipped with footrests and tether strap when the passenger is under 5 years of age. The use of the mobile phone and any audio device such as earphones, headsets or headsets, is prohibited and liable to a fixed fine of € 135. Finally, with regard to the crossing of traffic lights, the cyclist is authorized not to mark a stop when he respects the priority given to other road users and that a specific sign is provided for this purpose at the crossroads.

Regulations for cyclists

Decree No. 2015-808 of 2 July 2015, on the action plan for active mobility and parking, introduced new provisions for bicycles and pedestrians in the Highway Code. For the government, the theoretical objective is to "secure and promote the pedestrian and cyclist journey.” In practice, the text aggravates the penalties for parking or stopping vehicles on pedestrian and bicycle paths and less than 5 meters upstream. The decree also allows cyclists to move away from parked vehicles on the right side of the road, on lanes where the speed is limited to 50 km / h. At the same time, it allows motorists to ride a continuous line to overtake a cyclist if visibility is sufficient.

Another novelty is that cyclists can now ride on paved shoulders, a measure that until now only applied outside built-up areas. As of January 1, 2016, two new provisions of the decree are implemented. The first relates to the dual cycle direction, which will thus be extended to pedestrian areas and to all the tracks where the maximum authorized speed is less than or equal to 30 km / h, unless otherwise decided by the authority empowered by the police. The second is to prohibit mopeds from positioning themselves in the bunkers for red lights (that is to say in front of cars), unless otherwise decided by the authority empowered by the police in safety vest.

When a cyclist commits a violation of the Highway Code (crossing a continuous line, passing dangerous ...), he risks a fine whose amount varies according to the offense. However, and it is important to remember, any offense committed with a bicycle cannot be penalized with a withdrawal of points on the driver's license. If this is the case, it is recommended to appeal to the Ministry of the Interior for restitution of points.

Road safety: "Angry Bikers" no longer want to "lock up"

"Luda, the webmaster of the FFMC11, summarized the general observation of those who ride on two wheels without safety vest. Yesterday, there were more than a hundred, from all over the department, for blocking operations inside the city: Lecher roundabouts, Giant Cite 2, Pont-Rouge, and finally Gambetta square.

"It seems that the Audi is not concerned with the establishment of restricted traffic areas, accessible only to cars equipped with the" clean vehicle "pellet, and reserved for cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants," he added. "Nevertheless, mayors of small towns, and villages, have received documentation concerning these areas ... it may also happen in the Audi".

The bikers in yellow vest are also annoyed by this "state which practices more and more the repression" whereas "we propose, us, the bikers, to make the prevention but the government does not care.”

Access 100% local items from € 1 / month

A repression that they believe is akin to tax disguised as "this decision to punish a fine 90 € a biker who does not wear gloves, and all that by making us believe that it is for our safety. They really fancy us! The next will spur in turn in five years. We, the bikers, we will always be there and in France we are 3.8 million.

Clearly, they will not give up the piece "for policies in safety clothing that are next to the plate.” In addition, especially the license plates, which, from 170 by 130 will see its dimensions, go to 210 by 130: "It will be bigger with identical characters. Because the radars will see them better because the reflective system of the plate will be more important..."

Yellow vest and A2 license required for bikers

Since January 1st, motorcycles of more than 106 hp can finally circulate freely in France ... provided to count among the rare models to Euro4 norms, while waiting for the official text ruling on the retrofit! As if this maddening indecision was not enough, 2016 also marks the obligation to hold a yellow vest on motorbikes and scooters and to begin motorcycle training with the A2 license, regardless of age.

No, retrofit ... but still more restrictions!

Since the beginning of the year, French bikers can ride on motorcycles whose power exceeds 106 hp - after some three decades unjustly restrained! - Provided that they are equipped with ABS (mandatory in 2016 on all new two-wheelers over 125 cc) and that they meet the Euro4 standard, now imposed on all new models.

High visibility vest mandatory for 2 and 3-wheelers

If the government voluntarily stagnates when it comes to giving motorcyclists the freedom to which they have legitimate access (remember that no power constraint is exerted in automobile, whatever the age of the driver or the car), its repressive methods, they do not take any delay!

Since January 1, 2016, all bikers and scooters must be in possession of a retro-reflective vest and wear it in case of breakdown or accident.

This obligation does not imply (still?) The wearing of the vest while driving, but to hold a "in a storage of their vehicle (net, trunk)", specifies the official text. In case of control, the fine for lack of vest on board the motorcycle or the scooter is 11 Euros. In addition, if you do not wear it in case of emergency stop, the plum reaches 135 Euros!

Two other important details to take into account: From the moment, it is CE approved, this vest "high visibility" may be of a different color than yellow (orange, for example, as those used in public works), even if a large majority of vests sold in the trade adopt the fluorescent yellow. Moreover, a simple armband such as those worn by cyclists is not enough: the decree fixing the terms of this obligation makes explicit mention to a "garment worn on the upper body" type "chasuble, jacket, or safety vest.”

Yellow vest with motorcycle: Cuckoo, here it is again

When the summer torpor does not serve as an excuse to pass a law discreetly, it sometimes brings up in some media astonishing questions. You thought it was definitely buried since last year. More tenacious than a Z-series zombie, the fluorescent vest remains a subject apparently vital for some. The proof with this poll RMC and BFM TV appeared yesterday. Do not suffocate yourself by reading his utterance, made almost false by a timely omission.

Fluorescent vest mandatory for all according to RMC and BFM TV

"The yellow reflective vest is mandatory for motorists, not for motorcyclists, contrary to what our German, Belgian, or Italian neighbors do." Playing on words, this survey clearly suggests that it is necessary to make wearing a yellow vest mandatory for French bikers, some of whom have been dreaming since 2011. By citing Belgium or Germany, the amalgam is all the easier to do that on our roads, it is not uncommon to meet bikers in these countries wearing fluorescent equipment (helmet or jacket). However, they do this only by choice, the German and Italian legislation requiring the transport of the vest under the saddle to be able to dispose of it in case of breakdown, not its permanent wearing.

A proposal made last year by the CNSR with a threat of a fine of 35 € in case of non-port after the tragic-comic saga of the armbands and 150 cm² retro-reflective that had to be imposed - by day - motorcyclists and scooters. It will be recalled that the wearing of the retro-reflective vest is mandatory for cyclists traveling at night outside an agglomeration, the headlights and lights available on a bicycle are not very effective to be as visible as are these elements on a car or a Motorbike. On the other side of the Channel, high visibility vests are also used for all kinds of things.