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November 22, 2013

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Call for HGV ban following cyclist deaths

 

 

Following the deaths of six cyclists in London in the space of two weeks, former Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman has called on Boris Johnson to consider emulating Paris and banning HGVs on some of London’s roads during peak hours.
 
Of the 14 cyclist fatalities in the UK so far this year, nine have involved an HGV. In Paris, where there are restrictions on lorries, there were no cycling fatalities last year, according to the Prefecture of Police of Paris. 
 
Boardman, British Cycling’s policy advisor, said in an open letter to the Mayor: “In March this year you made a verbal promise to look at the successful experiences of Paris and many other cities in restricting the movements of heavy vehicles during peak hours.”
 
However Christopher Snelling, head of urban logistics policy at the Freight Transport Association (FTA), described the idea of banning HGVs from London in peak hours as “naïve and not commercially viable”. 
 
He said: “Paris only restricts the largest trucks, above about 28 tonnes gross weight. Very few trucks of this size operate on London’s roads because there is already a long-standing ban on articulated vehicles in the central area. Paris also exempts a long list of vehicles, including all construction traffic — the vehicles that are most represented in recent cycling fatalities.
 
“It is too simplistic to cite Paris€ᆭ as an example of where HGV bans work, as in practice very few vehicles are denied access to the city centres that need to be there. The reality is that the city authorities recognise that goods deliveries are essential to the efficient functioning of the city and permit them round-the-clock access.”
 
The Mayor told BBC London 94.9 that he was not convinced by the argument to ban HGVs. He said there had to be a “much bigger conversation” about them and the danger they pose when they turn left. 
 
He also said that imposing a peak-time ban would risk damaging London companies and create “a serious influx as soon as the ban is over”.
 
IOSH’s London Metropolitan Branch is calling for more to be done to help HGV drivers, including assessments of in-cab technology to reduce driver blind spots.
 
Nigel Burgess, chair of IOSH’s London Metropolitan Branch said: “Despite the best efforts of road designers, with initiatives like the Barclays Cycle Superhighway network and early start traffic controls, these incidents prove that more needs to be done.
 
“Unfortunately professional drivers’ attention is already being competed for by all manner of distractions, so whether a video monitor would work or cause further interruption to concentration is debatable.
 
“Certainly anything that can gather data on driving behaviour, vehicle speed and positioning is a valuable tool for employers and can help identify the risks being faced daily by their drivers. It could also be used to both educate the driver and develop practical measures to support them.”
 
The FTA has said that more needs to be done to improve the safety of cyclists and all vulnerable road users. 
 
Snelling said: “One death is too many and we must all do more to improve safety — cyclists, public authorities, public transport, and HGV drivers and operators included.
 
“Any measure taken should be intelligent, targeted and evidence based if we are to improve safety whilst allowing our cities to function.”
 
The London Cycling Campaign (LCC) called on the Mayor to redesign every major junction in Greater London to make cycling “a safe, comfortable and convenient experience for everyone” and said that every driver in Greater London should have on-bike cyclist-awarness training, and should only drive lorries with the best safety equipment.
 
The LCC’s chief executive Ashok Sinha, said: “The most effective way to make cycling safe is for the Mayor to urgently address the countless poorly designed junctions that every day put hundreds of thousands of London cyclists in avoidable danger.
 
“The Mayor must also ensure that only the safest lorries and drivers are allowed on to the streets of Greater London.”
 
On 18 November, following the recent spate of cyclist deaths, the Metropolitan Police Service Traffic Command stopped and checked more than 70 lorries on Vauxhall Bridge Road, Whitechapel Road and Albert Embankment, and in addition stopped around 100 cyclists to give them safety advice. The Evening Standard reported that of the 20 HGVs stopped on Vauxhall Bridge Road, half were found to be breaking HGV safety rules. Two lorries were found to be dangerous, one with a serious tyre defect that left it in danger of bursting. 
 
Sergeant Golding, of the Metropolitan Traffic Command said: “The two biggest HGV offences are drivers’ hours and how long they go without a break. We stopped one Belgian man who had driven for 10 hours without stopping at one point, which obviously makes him tired and is very dangerous.”
 
Louise Ellman, chair of the Transport Select Committee said that the House of Commons Transport Committee is to hold an oral evidence session on cycle safety on 2 December. 

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Adam Biggs
Adam Biggs
11 years ago

Compulsory insurance and registration of bikes would weed 95% of the people out that ride like they have a death wish. It infuriates me that all vehicle drivers are automatically guilty in any incident involving someone on a bike. Can’t call them cyclists as any numpty can get on a bike and cycle around town

Angus Page
Angus Page
11 years ago

I am an ex-road cycle racer and also an ex HGV driver. In my experience a lot of cyclists and motorists do not really understand how a lorry driver cannot see them. If a tv advert showed the view a lorry driver gets, and how unfortunate blind spots occur, then maybe individuals would be able to see that their actions could also put themselves at risk on the roads.

Darren Bullard
Darren Bullard
11 years ago

Make it an offence for cyclists to come up the inside of a car or hgv unless a dedicated box or cycleway is provided. unfortunately cyclists require no training to ride on some of the most congested roads in the country, they go through red lights, in and out of traffic, then the motorist or haulier gets the bad press when something goes wrong.

Edward Handley
Edward Handley
11 years ago

The proposed ban is a stupid and unworkable idea. London needs delivery trucks and without them the Capital simply could not function. Banning trucks during rush hours as suggested sounds simple, but the London rush hourS are aleady 0700 – 1000 and 1600 – 1900 so deliveries would be concentrated into the 1000 to 1600 period causing vastly increased pressure on loading bays and facilities. Few employers would want deliveries very early in the morning or late evening, and the trucks would have to get out of London before the ban came into effect because there are virtually no suitable… Read more »

Forbes
Forbes
11 years ago

If you dig down through the hype and actually look at the statistics, in this case TfL’s own accident statistics, you will see that cyclists are responsible for 6% of all collisions with vehicles. This means that 94% of the occasions are down to the other vehicle and or other factors. To only concentrate on the behaviour of cyclists is only ever going to provide the smallest of results. I’m not sure that insurance and registration would weed out the 95% who ride like they have a death wish (where did you get this figure from?), as it certainly hasn’t… Read more »

Forbes
Forbes
11 years ago

Let’s not let hard facts and data get in the way of anecdotes and prejudice. I just hope some people investigate work accidents with more of an open and analytical mind. Or maybe I’ve been doing it wrong and it’s always the victims fault. I’m guessing there aren’t many cycling commuters read the SHP.

Graham Johnson
Graham Johnson
11 years ago

Years ago we had the Cycling Proficiency Test, and we were taught to ride our cycles safely as part of our school lessons. Nowadays cyclists can get on the road (or the pavement) without any idea of the Highway Code or how to ride safely. I am a motorcyclist – I ride my bike every day – and have been taught to ride safely. I regularly have to take evasive action to avoid hitting cyclists (particularly in the dark with no hi-vis, no lights etc). Cyclists are road users, they should have to obey the same rules as ‘bikers, car… Read more »

michele
michele
11 years ago

Cemex put proximity sensors on their vehicles.

25th November 2010: CEMEX UK, the building materials supplier, is fitting its 300th vehicle with nearside proximity sensors to help cyclists and pedestrians stay safe around its vehicles. The sensors are just one of a number of additional safety measures over and above legislation that CEMEX has added to its vehicles, making it a pioneer in the field of road safety, in particular cyclist safety. – See more at: http://www.cemex.co.uk/300th-cemex-vehicle-to-be-fitted-with-sensors-to-keep-vulnerable-road-users-safe.aspx#sthash.60bDSXrt.dpuf

Mick
Mick
11 years ago

A typical, UK knee-jerk reaction, using a very small proportion of a select set of data, and looking at the wrong end of the problem. There are too many cyclists on the road who have little or no regard for the rules of the road, secure in the knowledge that they have no real responsibilities, other than to themselves. Undertaking, using pavements when it suits them, such as when the lights are red, jumping lights, not using any lights, hi viz, three or more abreast, etc, etc. The key issue, as with most road safety issues, is training. If licenced… Read more »

Peter Tanczos
Peter Tanczos
11 years ago

Unfortunately, the rapid rise in popularity of cycling has put many more cyclists on our streets, some with very little road experience or fitness. The cycle lanes are clogged with slow moving, unconfident riders and the regular riders are pushed into the motorcycle filtering paths. Driver awareness is a good idea but is only really half the problem. Better enforcement of the cycle boxes would also help a lot (or perhaps make it a 3 point offence?)

Phil
Phil
11 years ago

There is no easy answer but engaging with modern technology, the use of close range proximity sensors either always active or active when turn signals operate is a potential aid.

simon bowens
simon bowens
11 years ago

Comments above all valid.As a driver and rider, I’m saddened by riders who refuse to wear hi vis. clothing (dressing like death on a bike hastens its occurrence!) or to mount and use the excellent led lights available, so effective the Road traffic Acts were modified to accept flashing lights on bikes. Before we think of restricting LGV movements, lets put in place a requirement for all riders to be visible and lit first, surely a prerequisite for the “road sense” so badly needed to stay safe. LGV drivers are professionals, and riders need step up to the mark

Steve Rump
Steve Rump
11 years ago

It would be beneficial to see LGV and cyclists get together so a cyclist could sit in a lorry to appreciate the blind spots we encounter. I am an ex driver now an LGV/PCV instructor and see examples of dangerous cycling everyday. Undertaking a lorry on the left when the lorry is showing a left signal really is a bad idea. I also feel that cycle road racing should be stopped. I know that they normally take place early in the mornings but I have witnessed several dangerous occurrences where the cyclists haven’t made proper observations on roundabouts. I know… Read more »

Stuart Robertson
Stuart Robertson
11 years ago

Back in the 70’s my father taught me to treat my bicycle like a car and not to squeeze myself between vehicles.

When the big construction was on for the Olympic build I cycled every day to work, I recieved abuse from other cyclists when I tried to help them understand the consequencies of cycling through a red light and passing between vehicles.