BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION LONDON TO BRIGHTON OFF-ROAD CYCLING EVENT – September 2023
Posted on Saturday 23rd September 2023 in Cyclists, Data, Education and Training
Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) attended this year’s British Heart Foundation’s London to Brighton off-road cycling event. A team of road safety professionals, including a colleague from Brighton and Hove City Council, where on hand to support any local and general cycling concerns. Over 2000 riders took on 61 miles of superb views and technical terrain, conquering Europe’s biggest charity mountain bike event to fund lifesaving research!
The route provided keen cyclists with a real mix of tracks, with hard surfaces through to dirt and gravel, with roots, grass, sand and stones along the way. Starting at Apps Court Farm, cyclists picked up the Thames Cycle Track and enjoyed idyllic scenery across the river heading out of the city. Seeing stunning views cycling through Weybridge, Shere, Southwater Country Park and Steyning, with a fantastic view of the sea as a reward after a monster climb to the top of Truleigh Hill. When participants reached Hove Lawns they were able to bask in the glory of the welcoming crowd at the finish line.
Key details:
- Distance: 61 miles
- Start time: Every 30 minutes from 6:30am – 10:00am
Location:
- Start: Apps Court Farm, Hurst Rd, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 2EG
- Finish: Hove Lawns, Kingsway, Hove, BN3 2FR
- Profile/Terrain 1,295m climbing, Cycle tracks, forest single track, South Downs Link
- Fundraising target £200
This event coincided with the National Police Chiefs Council’s Vulnerable Road Users (VRU) Campaign which took place from 11th – 24th September 2023. The purpose of this campaign was to reinforce key messaging in relation to the hierarchy of road users and increase awareness. Commercial vehicle drivers have an obligation to be careful of the safety of other road users. Recent changes to the Highway Code created a hierarchy of road users, with those who could do the most harm bearing the greatest responsibility for road safety. That means commercial vehicle drivers have specific personal responsibility for ensuring the safety of those more vulnerable than themselves.
This event provided SSRP an opportunity to reinforce key messaging in relation to the hierarchy of road users, following recent Highway Code changes. The roads are shared spaces and educating people on this face-to-face is vital in creating sustainable behavioural change.
There were 516 people Killed or Seriously Injured in Brighton and Hove between 01/01/2020-31/12/2022.
The most noted contributing factors for cyclists’ collisions related to carelessness, however, there were also a notable number of collisions where the cyclist was entering the road from the pavement. Other road users were often unaware of cyclists, with the contributory factor being ‘failed to look properly’ noted significantly more than any other.
Our album of images taken at the finish line for the British Heart Foundation’s London to Brighton Off Road Cycling event is available here on our website over in our gallery!
Check it out👇
