Motorists were asked not to overtake cyclists unless there was at least 1.5 metres between them.
And drivers of larger vehicles were reminded to share the road.
Officials, including Minister of Transport, Works and Water Resources Ian Gooding-Edghill, president of the Barbados Cycling Union (BCU) Charles Lynch and president of the Barbados Road Safety Association Sharmane Roland-Bowen made those pleas on Tuesday at Black Rock Main Road St Michael, where a road sign was erected to urge drivers to be more aware of cyclists and pedestrians.
The amber sign was placed metres away from the Psychiatric Hospital and stipulates the desired distance. It was the first of many scheduled to be posted, following the deaths of three cyclists so far for 2021.
“Those deaths are three too many and we want to emphasise the importance of us utilising our small roadways on a small island for the benefit of everyone,” Gooding-Edghill said.
“So the Ministry, through its various depots, will be installing the road signs across the island because we need to be aware that our bicyclists are easily and the most vulnerable exposed and fragile vehicular users on our highways and streets. And in the interest of general public safety, we cannot allow ourselves to operate on the misguided belief that might is right based purely on size, weight, speed power and even cost.”
Former West Indies fast bowler and coach Ezra Moseley was the first of three cyclists to die on the road this year. Moseley died on February 6, and was followed by Melanie Watts on March 12 and 21-year-old Ritre Alleyne on March 22.
Lynch, who also reflected on their deaths, said he was pleased about the signs, and acknowledged that there had been some improvements on the roads since.
“It is unfortunate that it had to take three road deaths in Barbados for people to realise that we are a part of society and we have a right to be on the roads of Barbados. But I must say we have seen a change and we are grateful for that. We will do our part to respect the rules of the road and we will continue to follow all guidelines of the rules of the road,” Lynch said. (TG)
