PUPILS from schools across Wiltshire will be riding their bikes with a better understanding of safety issues after taking part in a cycle safety education event on Thursday (September 21) in Calne.

The event was hosted by Hills Quarry Products, in support of the Mineral Products’ Association’s national Cycle Safe campaign.

They delivered a fun, interactive session to highlight the potentially dangerous zones for cyclists around heavy goods vehicles and to provide general road safety awareness.

Each session began with a See and Be Seen presentation from Volvo Trucks, to raise people’s awareness about their visibility in traffic, and how to improve safety in the interaction between cyclists and truck drivers.

The interactive session had heavy goods vehicles set up with life-size cut-outs of cyclists placed around them, to help children understand the importance of never cycling within the blind spot areas of vehicles.

Wiltshire Council’s Road Safety Officer, Tina Giles, was on hand to deliver practical demonstrations on the importance of always wearing the correct headgear when cycling, as well as how to fit a cycle helmet correctly.

Peter Andrew, Group director of Hills Quarry Products, said: “Cycling continues to grow in popularity and it is important that these vulnerable road users are protected when they cycle near our lorries. Our drivers have been trained to be aware of cyclists on the road, and our vehicles are fitted with audible warning systems and safety cameras, however, we know that the most effective way of helping cyclists understand the risks is to allow them to sit in the driver’s seat of a lorry and experience what a driver can or cannot see.”

The event was supported by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, with station commander Tom Burns on hand to deliver cycle safety messages from the Emergency Services’ perspective and give participants the opportunity to get up close to a fire engine.