Month: November 2020

THE CABINET ORDERED PEDESTRIANS TO WEAR REFLECTIVE CLOTHING

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has made several changes to the traffic rules. In particular, pedestrians were required to wear reflective clothing with reflective fabric. Failure to comply with this rule is subject to a fine.

 

According to LB.ua, earlier the use of reflective elements by pedestrians was only advisory. Now, every pedestrian who moves in the dark (or in poor visibility) along the road is required to wear a reflective vest or stickers on his clothes.

 

It is reported that this measure will reduce road deaths by five to six times. The driver can see a person in reflective clothing from 130-150 meters. And in dark clothes, even with the headlights on, a pedestrian can be seen only 25-30 meters away.

 

Pedestrians who will not wear reflective elements on their outerwear will be fined, according to today.ua. The amount of the fine will amount to 510 hryvnias, although when the bill was considered in the summer, it was ten times less, only 51 hryvnia.

 

It should be noted that this rule applies only to those pedestrians who move along the carriageway or the side of the road. Walking in the pedestrian zone is still allowed without wearing “lanterns”.

Safety vests distributed to first graders

For a variety of reasons, students should make the way to school on foot (or by bus) and not be driven to the school door in the parents’ taxi. However, due to their height, children are often not so easily perceived by other road users. It is therefore very important that the little ones, in addition to different behaviors, can be easily recognized by others through good visibility.

This good visibility can be enhanced by bright clothing and reflective elements on the satchel. But also by wearing a safety vest. Until recently there was a large association distributing safety vests with reflective tapes to first graders across the board. This action has always met with great approval from parents and also acceptance of the child’s carrying behavior.

For this reason, the Verden district decided to procure these safety vests for first graders in the future. “I am delighted that we can support such a meaningful campaign financially and that we are investing effectively in the safety of the children!” says Christian Groth, Head of the Order and Traffic Service. The vests were distributed by police officers from the Verden / Osterholz police station as part of a Corona-compliant visit to the schoolyard.

In this context, the advantages of walking were discussed again: “You get fresh air!”, “You move before school!”, “You protect the environment!” and “You can chat with your friends!” – it all came from the children themselves! That as a pedestrian you have to make sure that other road users can see you, especially in the darker months of the year – that too was a matter of course for many children! “We would like to ask parents to help their children wear the vests!” explains Anika Wrede, traffic safety advisor for the Verden police.”

Among other things, children learn from role models and are dependent on adults practicing correct behavior in traffic with them and setting an example.” “Matze – the zebra” is shown on the back of the vests. Matze was chosen because it is a nationwide symbol of back to school. “Matze would like to accompany you on your way and always be there when you are out in the twilight or the dark!”

Safety through visibility: cycling in the dark season

Bicycle traffic in Düsseldorf is increasing. Even in the darker months of the year, many people get on their bikes every day: to work, to school, or as a sporting activity. The state capital’s office for traffic management now advises all cyclists to pay particular attention to be visible. This applies to the bike path and even more so on the road.

 

Even at dusk and especially in the dark, people see up to 80 percent worse than in light. Even if you think you can still see enough yourself, that does not mean that the other road users are also good at it.

 

Be in the dark

 

Dark-clad people only noticed from a distance of 25 to 30 meters.

brightly dressed people recognized from 40 to 50 meters.

People with reflective clothing are seen from 130 to 160 meters away.

What are the regulations and how can I as a cyclist – and my cycling children – optimally protect myself in the dark in traffic? Here are a few “WHEEL strokes” from the traffic managers to cycle safely through the dark season:

 

Lights and reflectors on the bike

To be safe in the dark as a cyclist, it is important to have the right lighting and reflectors on the bike. It’s not just about being seen, it’s also about having a good view of yourself.

 

Prescribed lighting on the bike:

 

Headlight (white) and taillight (red)

Large surface reflector (red) with “Z” marking

Yellow reflectors on the pedals

Two spoke reflectors (yellow) or reflective material (white) on the spoke rim or tire per wheel.

In addition to the dynamo, rechargeable batteries and battery lighting are also permitted, provided they have a test mark (-K).

Correct headlight setting is also important for bicycles to ensure good illumination and not to dazzle oncoming traffic.

 

Reflective clothing

Even with the prescribed lighting, pedal knights are not necessarily optimally visible on the bike. Especially in rain and fog, there is a risk that a cyclist will not be seen or seen too late despite the light. That is why it makes a lot of sense not only to make your bike more visible but also for yourself with appropriate clothing or reflectors. Clothes, shoes, and helmets are more noticeable in bright colors and with reflective stripes! Useful accessories include LED wristbands, reflectors, and safety vests.

 

Reflective bike accessories

Bicycle accessories can also contribute to good visibility. Therefore, when buying bicycle bags, baskets, child seats, or trailers, cyclists should make sure that they provide extra light in the dark, for example through reflector strips.

Scooters: the rules exist, it would be enough to respect them

By now, on the streets and sidewalks of Italian cities, it is an image we are getting used to. Electric scooters whiz at speeds well above those declared by the manufacturers. A speech that, in part, also applies to electric bicycles, to which it is enough to unlock the electronic control unit to obtain extensions worthy of a petrol scooter, with maximum peaks much greater than the 30 km / h permitted by law. Most of the people who use these vehicles, who do not have a license plate but achieve performance comparable (if not superior) to those of microcars and mopeds, do not even wear a helmet to move around the city. Not to mention those who, on the scooter, host a passenger.

 

But does the law allow it? And under what circumstances are fines triggered? Today’s edition of Il Fatto Quotidiano tries to clarify the question in response to a letter sent by a reader. Which takes stock of the rules governing the use of scooters and e-bikes. Since March, the newspaper explains, the new rules governing the circulation of electric scooters, which have been equated to bicycles, have come into force. The rules state that scooters can only circulate on urban roads where it is not allowed to exceed 50 km / h per hour.

 

Scooters can also circulate on cycle paths parallel to extra-urban roads, but with speed limits: they must not exceed 25 km / h when traveling on the carriageway and 6 km / h in pedestrian areas. Driving is only allowed for ages 14 and up and the helmet is mandatory only for underage drivers. Those who drive must have free use of their arms and hold the handlebars with both hands. From sunset, it is mandatory to wear a reflective jacket with reflective tape. Moving on to the ecological impact of scooters, a note on the recycling of batteries, a problem that affects all electrically powered vehicles powered by lithium-ion accumulators. The battery is recyclable, but only if it is disposed of properly. Finally, to limit the risk of accidents, maximum attention is needed from drivers and strict controls by the traffic police, which can issue very high fines.

 

4 TIPS ON HOW TO START RIDING A HORSE

It makes a difference whether you ride a horse or just ride. It is said that one can ride after about 200 hours in a saddle. What are the general rules to follow when you start? It is necessary to think not only about how to hold on properly in the saddle but also about the horse itself.

 

Do you think you will start riding or take your children to horses? There is no age limit, neither lower nor upper. Children from kindergarten can also drive. However, if you want to teach them professional riding, for example at the Pohoda Ranch in Albrechtice near Havířov, they recommend starting with it from the age of 10. Adults should then consider their health and also take into account that after the first hour, the whole body hurts calmly for five days.

 

Horseback riding is a natural physical movement that significantly improves health and fitness. When riding a horse, in addition to the commonly used muscles, you also involve the deeply stored muscles, which are essential for good coordination and healthy posture. Also, movement in the saddle will help with back pain after a long session.

 

1) How to choose a riding school

 

First, look around for a suitable riding school. On the Internet, you will find a rich offer of stables in big cities and the countryside. You can also ask among friends or parents of your children’s classmates. One of the guarantees of the quality of the stable is membership in the Czech Equestrian Federation. It is a good idea to take trial training before enrollment and verify that the instructor is properly trained and has valid authority to provide lessons. You can verify this yourself on the federation’s website in the Equestrian Information System. During the first rides, you will find out if the approach of the instructor and the horse selected by him suits you. But you can also assess the atmosphere, appearance of the stable, and the health of the animals.

 

2) What I need

 

Equip yourself or a small rider with protective equipment, such as a protective three-point helmet, suitable riding boots, and a safety vest or spine protector is important for children. In the very beginning, you don’t have to buy riding breeches, other tight-fitting ones will suffice, instead of riding boots, higher ankle boots with a smooth sole will suffice for the first ride. However, protective accessories are essential. After a while, the rider will also need a whip. There is simply not much that riders take to the stables, so it is good to drive them with a large enough car, especially if you drive their friends in addition to your offspring. The Lexus NX, which has a large enough case for everything you need, will serve perfectly. It’s a crossover that can handle even more demanding terrain, but it’s still not big enough to make it difficult for you to maneuver in the city. Also, the hybrid version saves consumption and emissions, which is a great benefit in nature. Plus, it doesn’t make as much noise as a regular car.

 

3) What is a lounger

 

The horse on which the beginner sits and learns to ride serves as a trainer, as a sports equipment. A novice rider cannot coordinate his movements with him, so he acts like a heavy load, sometimes he kicks the horse with his heels, he pulls too hard on the reins, which can hurt his teeth. That is why there is a so-called lounger, which teaches the rider the right posture without hurting the animal. A lounger is a rope about 10 meters long that is held by a lounging man. He stands in the middle of an imaginary circle, holding a long lunging whip in one hand and a lunge in the other, with a horse at the end. The peasant is in charge of the horse, while the man on horseback is only in charge of himself. So for beginners, this method is ideal.

 

4) We start driving

 

Once you learn to sit properly, you will find out what a trot is and how the body works with it, and when you can stop the horse, you can put it off. It is usually after six to ten lessons in the lounge. It will probably be the phase when you will start teaching your horses to prepare for the ride. Take him out of the stable, tighten the saddle correctly, adjust the stirrups, and also get on and off yourself. Then you start stepping, like walking around the riding hall. From here, it is only a step towards independent trotting and further improvement.