Your views

Cycling Deaths and Accidents
Dear Sir,
Given the cycling deaths and accidents of late, the finger pointing will soon start. So let’s talk about the responsibilities of the bike rental shops and cycling holiday organizers.
Last week, I took some visiting friends to a large bicycle rental shop. I was struck by no posted signage on the local cycling regulations or attempt to brief the renter on basic cycling know how. In North America this would be a liability lawyer’s field day!
When not cycling in Majorca, I ride with a Canadian cycling club. Each year, members sign-off on a listing of cycling laws and basic cycling knowledge. We carry liability insurance and we have kicked out club members that do not follow the rules. When there are serious accidents, somebody usually lands up in a court room. Does that happen, oh yes! It is all about the ‘duty of care’.
As Majorca comes to grips with how to improve cycling safety, let’s ask what bicycle rental shops and cycle tour groups can do. Plenty! Don’t just hand a rental bike to somebody. Point to the large sign on the rental shop wall with the rules of the road and the cycling basics. Have the renter sign off on these. Same goes for the person first joining one of the cycl e touring groups.
Rental shops and bicycle tour group operators can play an important role in improving their clients safety. Majorca does not need another cycling tragedy. So, make that contribution by first educating your clients on the rules of the road and basic cycling safety.