After being canned last month due to bad weather, a Blindzone demonstration being hosted by Travel Safe and Share the Road will finally take place at Mount Maunganui this Sunday, July 23.

The free event from 10am-2pm this Sunday at Tauranga Hockey Club carpark, Kawaka St, is for all the public – but is particularly aimed at cyclists.

Share the Road campaign manager Richard Barter says the demonstration will allow cyclists to experience several blind spots first-hand that prevent truck drivers from seeing people on bikes – because few people have any idea of what a driver can and can’t see from the seat of their truck.

“This is a unique opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of a big truck to learn just where you can and can't be seen on a bike," says Richard.

“We mark out the blind zones with cones and tape and position vehicles and bicycles in the blind zone areas then ask participants to find them when they are in the driver’s seat.

“In the past we’ve even put fire engines in a blind zone and participants were quite shocked to realise a vehicle as big as a fire engine can be invisible to a driver!”

Travel Safe Team Leader Sonia Lynds wants bike riders of all abilities to attend, saying it’s often more confident and faster cyclists who are more reluctant to use the separated cycle paths.

“We’d love to see some regular commuters, local cycling groups, road cycling clubs, and triathlon clubs join us at the Blindzone demonstration to learn more about sharing the road with heavy vehicles.

“Cycling is a fun, convenient, and healthy way to get around and is a great choice for the environment. We want to make sure bike riders have the right information so they can ride safely whether as a form of transport or recreationally.”

The free Blindzone Demonstration is 10am-2pm this Sunday, July 23, at Tauranga Hockey Club carpark.