Road Dogs Running Club Issues Public Advisory on Road Safety for Runners and Cyclists

Our roads are getting busier with runners and cyclists. The Road Dogs Running Club is asking every runner, cyclist and driver in the Turks and Caicos Islands to help keep them safe.

The club has more than 100 active members, and fitness is catching on across the country. Early morning joggers, cyclists and weekend long-run groups are now a regular sight on our roads. The club welcomes this growth. It also brings a shared responsibility to make sure everyone who heads out to train gets home safely.

"Our members are the heart of this club. Protecting them is one of our most important responsibilities," said Leo Lightbourne, President of the Road Dogs Running Club. "Every time one of our runners or cyclists steps onto the road, they are trusting that drivers will see them and give them space. We want to do our part by making sure our members and the wider public know the rules of the road."

The club's Run of Nations event is set for January 23, 2027, and we expect more people on the roads in the coming months. Many participants will be building their mileage in the early morning or after dark, when visibility is lowest and the risk is highest.

Over the years, there have been several incidents in the Turks and Caicos Islands where runners and cyclists were struck by vehicles. In some of these cases, the driver did not stop. Each incident is a reminder of how vulnerable people on foot and on bicycles are, and of the need for awareness on all sides.

The Rules of the Road

For Runners:

• Wear bright colours and high-vis gear. A high-vis green running vest or reflective vest makes you visible from a distance.

• Run against traffic. Face oncoming vehicles so you can see them and react. Vehicles in the TCI drive on the left, so this means running on the right-hand side of the road.

• Carry a personal alarm. It's small, light and can draw attention fast in an emergency.

• Use a safety light and reflective gear. This is essential before sunrise and after sunset.

• Share live tracking with family or friends. Someone should always know your route and when to expect you back.

For Cyclists:

• Wear bright colours and high-vis gear. A full, brightly coloured cycling kit helps drivers spot you early.

• Ride with traffic. Travel in the same direction as vehicles and stay predictable.

• Fit front (white) and rear (red) lights. Use them in low light, not just at night.

• Always wear a helmet. It is your most important piece of safety equipment.

• Carry a personal alarm and your phone, and share live tracking with family or friends.

• Obey traffic signs and signals, and use hand signals before turning.

  
  

Road safety is a shared responsibility. The club asks drivers to slow down, give runners and cyclists plenty of room when passing, and stay alert, especially in the early morning and evening. If you are ever involved in an incident, stop, help and report it. A few seconds of patience behind the wheel can save a life.

The club believes that as fitness grows across Providenciales, Grand Turk and our other islands, the country will need policies that protect these communities. That could include safer routes, better road markings and clear guidance for both road users and motorists. The Road Dogs Running Club plans to engage the Government on these issues in the future. For now, the priority is to make sure the public is informed and that everyone, whether on foot, on a bike or behind the wheel, knows how to share the road safely.

"Let's train hard, but let's train smart," added Lightbourne. "Be seen, be aware and look out for one another. We want every runner and cyclist at the start line on January 23rd, and home safe after every training run."