Mayor of London Boris Johnson and London Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy are today outlining how London is attempting to improve safety for its growing numbers of cyclists.
A 150 per cent increase in the number of cyclists has been seen in London since 2000.
All highway maintenance firms working on London’s roads are to fit blind spot mirrors and detection equipment by the end of the year, while Hendy is urging the haulage industry to urge further safety boosting action.
At the London Assembly’s Functional Body Question Time at City Hall today, Johnson will urge cyclist to avoid cycling on the inside of a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV).
“Every single death or serious incident involving a cyclist on our roads is a tragedy,” said Johnson. “And while we have made a great deal of progress over the last ten years to reduce these very sad occurrences, we are determined to make London’s roads even safer. This is not just about delivering the vast array of improvements we have committed to, but it is also about drivers and cyclists taking extra care.
"So, I urge every motorist, especially lorry and truck drivers, to please always look out for cyclists, and I implore cyclists to stay safe, don’t stay next to a HGV.”
During 2011 there have been 14 cycling fatalities in London. Seven of those involved HGVs or tipper trucks. One of those tragic deaths took place on one of the new Cycle Superhighways last month, leading to criticism of the paths, and cycle safety policy in the capital.
London’s Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy, said: “Improving cycle safety across London is something that the Mayor and TfL is working flat out to deliver. However, despite strong progress, this is something that the whole of London needs to help with to ensure significant change is delivered.
“Every London business, whether they are manufacturing, delivering or selling goods and services in London, has a role to play in ensuring that the vehicles they use adhere to best practice and that their drivers get the message to take care around cyclists.
“By ensuring safety technology and additional driver training are written into company guidelines, we can all work together to further reduce accidents on the capitals roads.”
TfL said it has delivered against 31 (of 52) actions identified in the Cycle Safety Action Plan last year. They are listed below (in TFL’s own words):
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