Advocacy group lobbies NRSC to improve cycle safety
(CNS): Cayman Cycling, a local cycle advocacy group, has lobbied the government to do something about the growing dangers that cyclists face on the roads of Grand Cayman. Eighteen months after the National Road Safety Strategy was launched, the group met with the National Road Safety Committee (NRSC) and pressed for immediate action, including better enforcement of the laws, updated infrastructure and a shift in public attitudes toward cyclists in light of the serious injuries and even death suffered by cyclists in collisions across the island.
The NRSS was launched in November 2023, but does not appear to have made a difference to the dangers of Cayman’s roads. At the time, Planning Ministry Chief Officer Eric Bush said it was the “result of tireless work across different sectors and demonstrates our collective resolve to tackle the issue of road safety head-on. It is about changing mindsets, altering behaviours, and making ‘safety’ an intrinsic part of our culture.”
Announcing the NRSS a year and a half ago, the National Roads Authority said it would address “critical areas for action, such as enhancing driver education, improving pedestrian and cyclist safety, upgrading road infrastructure, and leveraging technology for better enforcement. The strategy also emphasises the importance of community engagement and education to instil a culture of road safety.”
However, in the wake of the death of one of its members on Easter Monday, Cayman Cycling President Daniel Cummings and VP Wayne Kirkconnell met with the NRSC earlier this month to share their concerns. The non-profit group proposed a formal partnership with the NRSC to pilot safety technologies, conduct education campaigns, and organise family-friendly road closure events for safe recreational use.
According to a press release, the outcome of the meeting, which was chaired by Chief Officer Bush, was that the NRSC resolved to issue a joint public commitment with Cayman Cycling to enhance road safety.
The committee said it would begin implementing cycling safety engineering measures, including cyclist-detection signage and thermal camera technology and collaborate on updating the Road Code with an emphasis on shared road usage. The NRSC has also agreed to launch a recurring “Family Micro-Mobility Day”, closing designated roads for safe cycling and outdoor activities.
NRA Director Edward Howard supported the initiative and stated that many of Cayman Cycling’s suggestions were being integrated into the planned improvements. Bush acknowledged the need for cultural change, stressing that cyclists must be seen and respected as equal road users.
“We are not simply reacting to the tragedy that brought this issue to light,” he said. “We are committing to building a safer, more inclusive transportation culture — one where cyclists are respected as equal users of our roads. These measures are just the beginning. Every road user, regardless of their mode of travel, has a right to safety and consideration. We all share the road, and with that comes shared responsibility.”
As part of the agreed-upon action plan, the ministry will lead the drafting of updates to the Cayman Islands Road Code in collaboration with the RCIPS, DVDL, and NRA. It will also conduct research comparing sentencing for road deaths in the Cayman Islands versus other jurisdictions, with a draft report to be reviewed by the Committee.
The ministry will also support ongoing enforcement enhancements in collaboration with RCIPS, including new traffic reconstruction training and public accountability campaigns.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Category: Local News
Pedal bikes:
Lights helmets and reflectors..front and back.
not on sidewalks.
The RCIPs and Courts set us backwards when they stopped enforcing good Cayman common sense rules in the 80s.
Then came the masses!
Motor bikes: helmets.
lights and reflectors. ride ON the roads with traffic, not cycle lanes and sidewalks.
Will the cyclist association also be combatting the problems with e-scooters and e-bikes? Those things are deadly, often wrong side of the road, poor lights and some modified to go +30mph. They need to my mind be forced to have road insurance, a motorbike license and roadworthiness tests. Plus obviously a driving test.
Deadly as you pronounce in judgment, yet zero accidents, or injuries booked in the jurisdiction. Motorists are the ever present danger in Cayman, and the only problem area in urgent need of enforcement intervention.
The problems are with Cayman’s motorists running over and killing/severely injuring cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users that aren’t in a steel cage.
Recreational clubs that advocate for cyclist protection aren’t policy makers or regulation enforcers, and if they were, would not necessarily be adopting a pro-gasoline retail stance on your command.
The Cycling Association is a non-profit that is advocating for the safety of cyclists (and all road users) and promotion of the sport. Regulation has become a serious concern that does need attention but is not in their remit.
Do also note that there are at least 2 very distinct groups of cyclists, competitive cyclists and those who ride for fitness who generally align with protective measures and road laws; and utility cyclists who use bikes (some modified) and scooters as a means of transportation and are more likely to be non-compliant with road laws.
Please refer to the Traffic Act 2021.
See definition of ‘pedal cycle’ and ‘vehicle’, decide for yourself which category they best align with.
Refer to Section 4 – Functions of the Director.
Competence, consideration and courtesy is the responsibility of every road user. Let’s all do our best to make this a better environment for us all
Are Cayman Cycling also going to educate people on how to ride bikes, comply with the highway code, use lights, have brakes, ride on the correct side of the road and not ride three deep without making a single effort to move to single file when traffic approaches? Also ban cyclists from wearing head phones while at it.
And on phone, security guard holding on escooter with one hand and holding phone to ear on other!
“Cayman Cycling”, a recreational club, has no authority to ban or dictate anything. Highway code? What are you talking about? Get real.
Do bicycles come with indicators, obviously no? the onus is on the operator to indicate just as in a motor vehicle. I’ve probably seen only one bicyclist indicate here in the past 20 years. This is also part of the problem, we have both bicyclists and motorists who don’t obey fundamental road rules. Makes for one crazy commute every single day doesn’t it?
This is a bit rich, since we have many car drivers who don’t know what an indicator stalk does. Roundabouts with signs imploring people to indicate, yet it still goes on.
If I see a cyclist on a roundabout, I give them time and space. If I notice a cyclist is looking around, I assume they may be looking to turn right ahead and are checking to see if it’s clear, so I give them time and space. They make up a tiny fraction of traffic, and they’re vulnerable. Idiots in cars, however, they have no excuse. The non-indicators, the ‘only when entering or exiting, single indicator’ types, and we even have ‘wrong direction indicators’ sometimes!
Takes 2 to tango
True, but stll cyclists should abide by rules too which majority have no knowledge.
Yes, they should, but there are provisions in the road code for cyclists using roundabouts.
In theory, a cyclist wanting to head to Lantern Point area, can enter the Hurley’s roundabout by Scotia Bank, to turn right. They then need to exit in the right lane, and move over to the middle lane, as the left most lane is about to go into Red Bay. Can you imagine how ridiculously dangerous that ride would be, just to get to Red Bay roundabout?
Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to take one hand off of the handlebars in order to signal a turn on a road whose leftmost part is covered in debris, broken glass, potholes and an abrupt edge? It is completely idiotic to expect a cyclist to risk falling in front of traffic because the drivers cannot proceed cautiously and respectfully. No, it is not always possible, or even advisable, to take one’s hands off of the bars.
Unlike the car drivers, who meticulously signal every turn, right?
Can we plaese get cyclist to all cycle on the left hand side of the road instead of some on the left and some on the right? I passed a few bikes riding on the left hand side. No problem and then there was this young boy riding in the middle of the road on the right hand side. He was coming straight for me so I swung out. Luckily, there were no cars coming. So if there was a car coming then I had two choices: stop and he would run into me or swing out and get into a head on collision. Another time, I saw some poor confused tourists (on bicycles) as they were on the left hand side of the road and a Jamaican was on a bicycle coming for them. He didn’t even have the courtesy to go on the outside. He went on the inside pushing the two ladies into the street.
Many cyclists (and pedestrians) have switched to the opposite side so they can actively move out of the way of the motorists drifting into their lane/path/sidewalk(!). It’s a miracle more people haven’t been killed. We must stop blaming the victims, and deploy the RCIPS to serve and protect the general public – in this case, slower unprotected road users from chronically inattentive motorists in steel cages.
They have done so illegally and at their own peril.
…at their own safety, actually.
Cayman Cycling and other competitive cycling sports groups perhaps are the wrong people to claim to represent responsible Cyclist Safety initiatives and direct policy. They are often seen (albeit predawn) behaving erratically all over the roadway, in pelotons of high performance bikes, moving at near vehicle traffic speeds, and some times far in-excess. It begs the question what knowledge they hope to bring to bear. What Cayman needs is a CIG and an NRA willing to incorporate painted and hardscaped modern urban bike corridors for those seeking to pedal below 25mph – providing consistent safe roadway zones for tourists, amateur, entry level commuters, kids, and general slow and steady family quality of life from A to B. This is a completely different use case than those of the performance hobbyists, even if they are also done on bikes.
Thanks for writing this. While I understand motorists’ frustrations, education is key – many still don’t understand cyclists’ rights. Social media often reflects this, with people mistaking unbroken lines or road shoulders for bike lanes and assuming they’re safe or puncture-free.
What’s often overlooked is that many cyclists are also drivers! We pay for licensing, insurance, and use the roads just like everyone else.
As someone else noted, cyclists vary. Many of us ride for mental health, fitness, or community – just like others might go to happy hour, play basketball, or join a pickleball game. For me, it’s a 4–5 am ride with friends.
It would be great to see more articles moving forward to raise awareness. No group is perfect – there are careless drivers and cyclists – but clearer laws, consistent road cleaning by the NRA, and stronger law enforcement would help. Following models like the UK’s, where harsher penalties improve compliance, could make a real difference.
At its core, this is about a lack of understanding around cycling (it was a culture shock for me when I left Cayman and studied in Europe) and the need for better transportation options. Improving the bus system and encouraging alternative commuting methods is part of the solution (and help lessen drink driving).
It’s all very achievable… it just takes consistent pressure and political will. There are plenty of great examples to follow. Please keep writing more on this!
Do cyclists understand the rules of the road? Majority do not.
‘What’s often overlooked is that many cyclists are also drivers! We pay for licensing, insurance, and use the roads just like everyone else.’
When you are cycling does your car insurance cover you, does your cycle have licence plates?
“Do cyclists understand the rules of the road? Most don’t.”
The same could be said about many motorists. I’m both a cyclist and a driver—but above all, I’m human. And so are you.
Education and awareness need to go both ways. If we can’t see that, then that’s part of the problem. The goal should be to reach a middle ground—one that focuses on both enforcement and understanding—not simply trying to discourage people from doing what they love.
At the end of the day, most of us are just asking for something simple that we’re all capable of: patience and empathy.
What’s truly shocking is how much aggression gets directed at cyclists, while there’s often silence about the reckless drivers causing accidents daily and far greater disruption. That double standard speaks volumes.
Also, no, we don’t have bike insurance here. But we should! It’s a great idea. They have it in the UK/Europe (another thing that shocked me as a Caymanian abroad), and I’d absolutely love to insure a bike that costs nearly as much as my car. I hope you have the same attitude when your child, close friend and/or relative decides to one day give cycling a shot.
Nobody is disagreeing about the standard of driving etc and people do report and complain about it all the time. Not an excuse for cyclists to do same as bad motorists!
Cyclists pose no threat to motorists and are definitely not running over and killing them.
You didn’t read the whole post? “No group is perfect…”
funny… i don’t see flashing sign at roundabout admonishing bike riders, rather cars. Be honest, how often to you see people properly use roundabouts in cars? How often to you see a car and wonder how it passed inspections (hint it didnt), how many times can you honestly say you felt your life was in danger due to a cyclist? now ask yourself how many times a bad dumptruck driver has put you in danger?
There are a lot of bad drivers on our roads and they drive everything with wheels, Cars, Bikes, Motorcycles, EV’s and scooters lets all try and work together and make things better. We all have to use the roads to get to and from work, I don’t want to be hit by a car and I’m sure you don’t want to have the deal with the dent my rag dolling body leaves in your hood.
Maybe we can make things a bit better together
Cayman hosts so much needless misdirected rage and hate, and critically deficient levels of responsibility and shame. Cyclists are being hit, run over, and left for dead, by motorists that didn’t operate their vehicle safely, leave space, or observe and exercise requisite caution. For those motorists, we need hardscaping so they crash their car into a fixed object as the consequence, not kill an innocent cyclist, child, dog, etc. What is wrong with us that so many can’t grasp the issue? Cyclists and motorists need to be separated.
Not all cyclists abide by rules of the road!
and all motorists def do, right?
Cars seemingly never end up in the hospital/grave due to it, though.
Actually, cars go to the body shop or wreck yard, and the drivers are the ones that often go to the hospital and/or funeral home. There are over a dozen crash incidents a day involving 9-1-1 callouts, if stats are to be believed.
The people driving the vehicles do though, right? Very forward thinking you are my friend.
I don’t think you thought your reply through buddy. If you aren’t open to the idea of sharing the road with cyclists, I hope whatever is put in place forces you to comply or face the penalties. It’s really not that difficult. Who knew people hated cyclists so much. Coming from a motorist, if the difference means anything. Lol.
Making an observation means that I dislike cyclists?
The world is not a fair place; all I’m doing is pointing that out. When motorists cause accidents with cyclists, they are often perfectly fine (physically). Whereas the cyclists often end up injured, sometimes seriously so.
Because some motorists are bad, cyclists have to be same?
There is no parity whatsoever that should merit the avoidable slaughter of cyclists! Seek help.
Thank you for the example of the lack of shame.
The absolute state of some of these comments, it’s like CMR-Lite.
I have cycled here, but no more. The roads are too dangerous. The left side of the road is full of broken glass, dead chickens, old vapes, and other general detritus. The tidal wave of stupidity is overwhelming, too. So many people on their phones, or otherwise distracted.
If you cycle, use a helmet and get some bright LEDs.
For the motorists giving it the ‘they don’t pay tax’, ‘they’re not insured’ etc, you know what kind of vehicle causes most of the damage to roads and walls, most of the crashes, most of the injuries, most of the deaths? When I say most, I mean like 97%. Clue, it starts with a C and rhymes with star.
over 50% of the cars on Cayman roads are untaxed and uninsured, what’s their excuse?
Ask the Police!
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Painting bike lane zones, like the green ones in front of the Ritz, should be done immediately from public beach, down to South Church Street. The traffic law and regs should be updated with severe tickets for motorists trespassing, parking or otherwise obstructing these lanes. There is a whole planet of urban design examples and supportive policy to draw from. Why is this controversial? Just do it!
Oh my. You have a few road users here.
Kamikaze cyclists. Those with no sense. Usually spotted with no lights, dark clothing, and will ride on any side of the road at all times.
Dumbass drivers. People in metal boxes on wheels that cannot wait a few seconds to safely pass a cyclist. To save time, they’ll endanger the life of someone.
Hobby cyclists. Generally ride according to the rules. Can be in packs or on their own. Travel relatively fast, but slower than cars. Frustrates idiotic drivers who again, cannot wait. More considered drivers take time to realize they need to be away from the kerb area as it’s usual full of glass and other debris. Can irritate if in a pack and they don’t show awareness of when they’re holding up a significant line of traffic.
Ebikers. Wild west. Some are faster than small motorbikes. Police not sure what to do. Legislation still way behind, and even if it wasn’t, how do Police enforce anything when they can’t enforce against some of the lowest hanging fruit on the roads (phone use, tint, number plates, deathtrap vehicles).
People need to share the roads and be courteous, it’s really not hard. Also, NRA need to do what they’re supposed to do in terms of road architecture.
I see cyclists riding in the middle of walkers road following the white line during morning traffic. shouldn’t they be riding on the left? They swerve into the road and ride on the wrong side of the road. they need to learn the cycling rules and we need wide cycle lanes with safety barriers.
There are no safe bike corridors for them, because they are not incorporated into the thought as part of the transportation plan. People are getting hit, or nearly hit every day, others are dying. They need a part of the road secured away from our glut of inattentive/drunk motorists. Cops catching these inattentive/drunk motorists would also help, to change the expectation of getting caught.
That is not an excuse for reckless cyclists and electric scooters, just it is not for reckless car drivers.
There is no equivalence. Nobody needs a license to ride a bike.
There should be!
No, there shouldn’t. Cyclists present zero danger to motorists. It’s always the other way around, and with that, the responsibilities.
Motorists are the ones licensed and required to pay attention, stay in their lane, give space, and yield to any hazard, even if that’s a cyclist, dog, or coconut.
Many cyclists seem to think they can ride in a pack 4 feet in the main lane. I see this time and again, a group riding together, some side by side, like they are the same thing as a vehicle.
Then you got the lone cyclist who doesn’t even use the space available on some of our roads – thinking again it is a smart thing to be 4 feet into the main lane.
In my opinion many of the cyclists are reckless and arrogant on how they travel.
You are a part of the problem! Bicycles are vehicles and have the same rights. If you rode a bicycle you would soon learn that riding on a shoulder that is filled with gravel and broken glass is just not possible to do safely. If I am in the main lane it is because I have to be. I will ride to the left, but you still have to obey over taking rules.
Fixed it for you. The majority of drivers are reckless and arrogant and are dangers to cyclists and every other driver here.
Because riding side by side and occupying the lane is the correct way to do it. If you don’t have enough space to pull over far enough to pass 2 cyclists then you don’t have enough space to pass one.
Got a dash cam because of what you are saying. Protecting myself if I ever hit one for being out in the middle of the road.
Yes I use to ride here for years but no way I would ride here now!
To many idiots on the road here because of the driving standards here and lack of police enforcement.
Many more persons using illegal electric bikes and scooters will have to die before our laws are enforced.
If you are going to spout such BS back it up and cite the law that makes it illegal to ride and electric bike!
Motorized vehicles on the road, no license, no insurance, no lights, no helmets. Illegal. Need I go on?
Yes, you need to cite the actual law banning electric bikes.
That’s a lot of assumptions.
Most electric bikes and definitely scooters are capable of traveling under their own power at a maximum speed of thirty miles per hour or less, which according to the Traffic Act should make them classified as special electric vehicles and special purpose vehicles.
Per Part 5, paragraph 53 of the Traffic Act, they may only be used on a road or public place where the designated speed is thirty miles per hour or less. Many violate this part of the Act by riding on highways.
Also per Part 5, paragraph 54 of the Traffic Act – Before using a special purpose vehicle on a road or in a public place, the owner shall apply to the Director for a permit by submitting an application in the prescribed form and paying the prescribed fee. I would guess the vast majority do not have a permit, and thus are operating illegally.
Finally per Part 5, paragraph 55 of the Traffic Act, special purpose vehicles require typical safety features such as headlights, tail lights, turn signals, mirrors, and are required to have insurance which I’m almost certain none of them do.
Guess again: Class 1 ebikes are power assisted, limited in motor size and have a max speed of 20mph or less. Class 2 have a thumb or twist throttle and are limited to same 20mph or less. Class 3 ebikes go up to 28mph. Anything over 30mph is no longer an e-bike. It’s a motorcycle, or power scooter and needs plates, licensing, insurance, etc.
Care to imagine how many motor vehicles are driving around without RFID license plates, insurance, or licensed driver? Failing to indicate?
I didn’t really mean to “like” this post, but sadly, I do agree with it.
There is no such Gazetted constraints on eBikes. As long as they are going 25mph in the 25 mph zone, they are like any other road user and entitled to use the whole traffic lane. Those overtaking at 40+ need to forfeit their license.
See 8:57am above and try again
Class 1 and 2 ebikes are motor and assist-limited to 20mph or less. Class 3 are motor and assist-limited to 28 mph. Whereas the carbon fibre speed bikes of lycra-clad Cayman Cycling riders, who are here to advocate for safety and responsibility are doing time sprints on shared public roads at 40-50mph.
Cyclists should be tested on rules of the road!
Drivers should face stiff penalties for speeding and reckless driving, illegal window tint and license plates first.
Cyclists should be tested on rules of the road!
Old timer here. When I was at school which was around 15 miles from my house and took forever to get to, I wanted to use my bike. Neither parents or school would allow it until I took the ‘cycling proficiency test’ for which you had to be 13 years or older. The school ran it, and it consisted of road rules and practical exercises. Perhaps the schools could be encouraged to do something similar in the safe confines of their property?
DUI should be criminalized with jail sentences, and those on their phones, disqualified for a year. Permits and PR should also be canceled in such cases.
Cyclists should be tested on rules of the road!
and what about us motorists? go take a look at CMR daily for great driving examples or maybe read the stat about the number of accidents that happened daily last year. Think it was minimum four per day.
What shall we do with the Caymanians doing the same or worse?
Gitmo?
How to ensure those ‘unprofessional’ cyclists are obeying the road rules in place for years. Crossing in front of a car when does not have right of way, zig zagging in middle of road and on and on. Not always car drivers fault when they are obeying rules of the road. The cyclists are more scary as you do not know what they are going to do next. No rules of the road apply to them?
Electric scooters???
Easy take certain nationalities off our roads and stop issuing them driver license’s and stop work permit holders importing cars into Cayman please!
Stop allowing them to ride bikes too!
Is punching down on the poor Caymankindness?
Cyclists also need to use their sense while on the road too. Not all, but some act just as reckless and then cry wolf when injured. Across the board drivers and riders alike need to act sensibly
Planning Ministry Chief Officer Eric Bush seems to be part of the squad that canceled the 2015 NRA Plan which called for the incorporation of bicycle lanes and consideration in every road plan since. That, and all the deaths we’ve registered, are the fruit of that tireless effort. The complete absence of ANY consistent east-west or north-south cycle infrastructure is a testament to how little they concern themselves with transportation safety, tourism, and recreational quality of life. We should fire people like this.