Every life is precious and valuable, which is why the Ministry of the Interior is taking a series of measures to minimize the amount of traffic distress.
Dear cyclists and other road users! With the advent of warmer days in traffic, the number of motorcyclists, mopeds, and cyclists is increasing, representing an extremely vulnerable group of road users. Although they do not have to pass a driving test, cyclists, like pedestrians, are equal road users. We are delighted by the increased number of cyclists and other road users who love the “wind in the hair” since it is a healthy way of traveling, but is often overlooked, in addition to enjoyment, by the safety component of road traffic. It is for this reason that it is very important to be reminded that the skill of steering and maneuvering a bicycle is not sufficient and that cyclists, as well as other road users, should obey and comply with traffic rules and regulations, and the bicycle should always be technically correct and equipped. Otherwise, they endanger their own lives as well as the lives of other road users. We cannot avoid pointing out statistics that say that in the first five months of this year, 370 road accidents occurred in the Republic of Croatia, killing 5 cyclists. Of the 300 cyclists injured, 78 were more seriously injured and 222 more seriously injured. Every life is precious and valuable, which is why the Ministry of the Interior is taking a series of measures to minimize the amount of traffic distress. That is one of our priorities. One such measure is our most well-known action, Respect Our Signs, which has shown a full justification. Through this action, we have become convinced that traffic education and education in the knowledge of traffic regulations play a big role in increasing road safety, as well as in raising the traffic culture. That is why we have also directed our activity to adopt positive behavior in cyclists, with an emphasis on their greater visibility.
“VISIBLE IN TRAFFIC” We have prepared an information leaflet for cyclists, which today, with a reflective ribbon, you receive as a present from the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia as a security pledge. A pledge because, by adhering to the regulations and rules outlined by the practical use of the SIGHT-TRAFFIC reflective tape on the socks, you will contribute to your visibility and safety in traffic. Wearing a reflective lane makes the cyclist visible in traffic, especially during night hours and in times of poor visibility due to road conditions. It is also a legal obligation. Remember, a road bike is not a playable item and a road bike must not be operated by anyone under 14 years of age. Only children from the age of 9 who have been issued a bicycle management certificate are allowed to exercise on the road, and other children of that age are only accompanied by a person who is 16 years of age. However, we are aware of the fact that we cannot change the traffic culture on our own. To achieve satisfactory results, cooperation with all relevant institutions, especially local and regional self-government units, is needed. Remediation of dangerous places, reconstruction of intersections, construction of appropriate traffic signs and implementation of many educational preventive measures greatly influence the increase of safety of vehicles, pedestrians and of course cyclists. Although we urge cyclists to be cautious here, at the same time, I take the opportunity, on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior and my name, to urge all motorcycle riders not to sit behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol, to reduce speed and to respect traffic restrictions. I especially appeal to the parents of our youngest cyclists! In your example, show the other participants responsible and correct behavior! Whatever your ability, the skill of steering and maneuvering your bike is not enough! The Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia wishes you safe and comfortable cycling, as well as other means of transportation.
TRAFFIC VISIBLE -Dear cyclist, you are obliged to observe and adhere to traffic rules as road users! Whatever your ability, we remind you that the skill of steering and maneuvering your bike is not enough! Your bike needs to be technically sound and you need to know and obey traffic regulations. Also, increase your traffic visibility with reflective equipment and remember that if there are bicycle lanes or lanes, you are obliged to navigate them and not the lanes for other vehicles.
CYCLING – Bikers are obliged to use bike lanes or lanes, and if they do not exist, ride as close to the right edge of the roadway as possible – BIKES RIDE IN THE COLUMN, NEVER NEAR THE ONE! If the listed a pedestrian crosswalk is not marked and a bicycle crossing, the cyclist pushes the bike and crosses the road as a pedestrian! WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC, the cyclist must make sure that there is no other vehicle on the left and right! In the case of sightseeing or driving in front of the vehicle, the cyclist should check whether the vehicle is on the side, give a hand sign and leave about a meter of space to the driver of the stopped vehicle to open the door to avoid an accident! A SIGN THAT THE PURPOSE IS INTENDED The cyclist gives a left or right-hand extension! – Keep both hands on the steering wheel while driving! A BIKE CYCLE – A ROAD BIKE may be operated by a person who is 14 years old – 9-year-old children who have been trained in bicycle management in schools and have been issued a certificate, are allowed to operate a bicycle on the road on their own, and other children 9 years and older only accompanied by a person who is 16 years old – A BICYCLE DRIVER 18+ can transport children over 8 years of age only if there are separate seats on the bike for each person – BICYCLE DRIVER 18+ can transport a child up to 8 years of age if on Bicycle Built-in Special Seat Adapted to the Size of a Kid and Clamped to a Bike and with a Baby Helmet – BIKE UNDER 16 YEARS Wear Safety Helmet.
BICYCLE DRIVER UNDER 16 YEARS Must Wear Protective Helmet Important! Cyclists are obliged to use a reflective vest, reflective cycling clothing or another reflective mark at night and reduced visibility.
DON’T – Operate an Alcohol Bike! Ride a bike on a pedestrian crossing! Drive in the forbidden direction! Drive through pedestrian zones! Drive-in groups, one after the other! Ride technically defective bicycles (without brakes, lights, bell, catadioptric, etc.)! Drive at night without reflective vests or reflective clothing! Take both hands off the steering wheel while driving! Wade between vehicles stopped in columns! Go through the intersection with the red traffic light on for your direction!
RIGHT BIKE To participate in road traffic, a bicycle must be equipped by the Ordinance on the Technical Conditions of Vehicles in Road Traffic “NN” 85/2016 and 24/2017 (Articles 165-166). Brakes – one brake must be fitted and installed for each wheel so that they are independent of each other, with the brake on the front wheel being manual Lights – on the front white, on the back red position lights Katadiopter – on the back – red, on the front and back of each pedal – amber, on the sides of the front and rear wheels – white or yellow.