Promising partners in Littlehampton bike safety battle

Children have joined the safety campaign by Littlehampton neighbourhood watch D14472105a

As the nights become darker and the days shorter, the town’s Neighbourhood Watch Association has come up with a bright idea to cut bike accidents across the area.

The group has handed out hundreds of pieces of safety equipment, such as various lights and reflective strips, to children at the River Beach Primary School, Lyminster Primary School, St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, White Meadows Primary Academy and the younger students at The Littlehampton Academy.

It’s hoped that the children will not only be safer cycling to school but will help in spreading the association’s Darker Nights campaign’s safety message to their parents and other youngsters.

And so far the alliance is looking very promising.

Mike Cullern, chairman of the neighbourhood watch, said: “The children have all been remarkable.

“They have been very, very good at raising awareness.

“If you can catch them all at a young age they can bring that safety message to their siblings and parents.”

He explained that the project came about after the group identified a ‘gap’ in road safety for young people.

“It had been commented on in our meeting that young children are going round the town without lights during the evening,” he said. “We thought that it would be a good educational idea to supply the local schools with donated cycle plan kits.”

The neighbourhood watch has placed a number of posters in shops across Littlehampton to boost the project.

Mr Cullern said in a lot of cases, it was adults who were the biggest flouters of safety.

He added: “Adults are suicidal. I have been out driving in the early morning and there are people out there riding in dark clothing and with no lights or reflective strips on. It’s very dangerous.”

The association is appealing to more businesses to help back its campaign to spread the word.

Mr Cullern is urging those who are keen to help to contact him at [email protected] or by calling 07747 542116.

For the full feature, see this week’s Gazette (Thursday, November 27).