AN official report is being launched over the death of a British cyclist killed in a hit-and-run accident to find out what lessons can be learned from the tragedy.
The findings may help officials provide better safeguards for those on two wheels as designs for major improvements are carried out on several key roads in the kingdom.
A three-phased development is already underway focusing on the Budaiya and Janabiya highways as part of major road expansions to ease traffic congestion.
Northern Municipality council chairman Ahmed Al Kooheji, highlighted the investigation, as he referred to the accident which claimed the life of banker Allan Sword, a keen triathlon competitor, who was riding with friends on Janabiya Highway early on November 6.
The 49-year-old Bank ABC’s chief operating officer, group wholesale banking, was killed near Jasra and legal proceedings against the car driver allegedly involved, continue.
“We have repeatedly called for separate lanes for delivery bike and cycle riders and this should be mandatory to avoid such tragedies,” Mr Al Kooheji told the GDN.
“Our team along with area councillor Zainab Al Durazi and representatives of the Interior Ministry’s traffic directorate and municipal authorities will visit the accident spot to further assess the situation and prepare an official report.
“We are sorry for the loss and we hope to avoid such tragic incidents in the future.
“As a council we have proposed biking areas for all two-wheel road users – be it delivery boys or sport riders – to increase safety.
“We know this is not an easy proposition and cannot be done overnight, hence our proposal to include this as part of the development project of these highways.
“It may take time but it will happen as we know the designs are ready.”
Mr Al Kooheji was speaking on the sidelines of the council’s weekly meeting at the A’ali Sports and Cultural Club.
In June, the GDN reported that the Northern Municipal Council had already approved a proposal to have dedicated bicycle lanes in Hamad Town’s upper and eastern regions, as hundreds of new cyclists have taken to the sporting activity in a bid to keep fit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Al Kooheji added that the development and expansion of the Budaiya and Janabiya highways were progressing quickly and will see new three-lane roads, which he hopes may ease the experience of cyclists.
The GDN reported back in 2017 that the expansion projects of the major main roads was part of 11 expedited projects under directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow in the country.
Financed by the Kuwait Development Fund, the project included improving existing intersections near the Northern Town and implementing new ones, and providing exits and entrances to villages if needed, as informed earlier by Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf. The initiative also includes rainwater channels on Janabiya Highway, improved lighting and safety barriers.
The 11 projects are spread throughout Bahrain and include solutions to bottlenecks such as the south Saar exit, Airport Avenue and the Budaiya Highway roundabout.
“Currently, we urge all people on two wheels to take extra precautions,” he said. “Currently there are some major roads like in Hamala that merge from a two-lane road into a narrow bottle-neck.”
Mr Sword’s death has sparked a debate on the GDN’s letters page and social media outlets and the GDN also reported that a further plea for safer roads and driving habits had erupted after German expatriate environmentalist Kai Miethig was knocked off his bicycle.
Mr Miethig, 49, ended up floored by a pick-up truck approaching traffic lights near The Avenues on King Faisal Highway and was left cut and bruised, just three hours after the fatal accident involving Mr Sword.
Earlier this year, the Bahrain Cycling Association organised a cycling festival at Bahrain Bay and launched Cycle Safe Bahrain, an initiative to promote safe road sharing practices.
Last April, five professional cyclists – Sayed Ahmed Khalil, Abdulla Ali Abdulla, Ahmed Nasser Ahmed, Mansoor Mohammed and Yahya Deyab – were hit by a driver texting while at the wheel near Awali.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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