Matt Rodda MP, who is also a shadow transport minister, showed his support for Road Safety Week by attending an event in Parliament on Tuesday.

Matt met with representatives from Brake to learn more about why cyclists and motorcyclists are amongst the most vulnerable road users and what people in Reading and Woodley can do to be more bike smart and help keep those on two wheels safe.

Analysis by Brake, the road safety charity, has found that the South East had the highest number of bike deaths and serious injuries in the UK in 2017, with an average of five bike riders killed or seriously injured every day. Those on two wheels accounted for nearly half of all road deaths and serious injuries in the region.

Matt heard how Brake is calling for drivers to be ‘Bike Smart’ this Road Safety Week by following a few simple steps: slowing down, giving more time to spot danger and react; looking properly for bikes before pulling out at junctions; leaving at least 150cm between cars and a bike when overtaking; and by doing the ‘Dutch reach’, using the opposite hand to open a car door to help avoid ‘car dooring’ incidents.

Matt said: “It is important to raise awareness about the safety of those on two wheels. Every day, five cyclists or motorcyclists are killed or seriously injured in the South East – each a tragedy that will devastate many lives. Road Safety Week is an important reminder for us all to be more Bike Smart in the hope that we can put an end to the tragedy of death and serious injury on our roads.”