Never cycle on the inside of a lorry

Never cycle on the inside of a lorry

Changing Places: cycle-lorry danger awareness campaign

Approximately half of all cyclists killed in London involve collision with large lorries, even though these vehicles make up just 5% of London traffic.  Most of these fatalities happen at junctions, for example as the lorry turns left, trapping the cyclist on the inside where the driver may not be able to see him - the "blind spot".

Our campaign Changing Places is aimed both at cyclists and lorry drivers.  We want to get cyclists into the cab of a lorry, and lorry drivers onto bikes, so that each gets a better view of the other’s perspective.

Lorry drivers

Our one-day (7 hours) Safer Urban Driving course is now Drver CPC certified, and is offered FREE OF CHARGE to any professional LGV driver who drives in either Hammersmith and Fulham and/or our partner boroughs (Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster).  The day consists of a theory module in the classroom and a practical module out on bikes led by an experienced urban cycle instructor. 

 

photo credit: benbroomfield.com

We are planning to run driver CPC courses for LGV drivers at our depot in Fulham on the following dates 2012/13:

Tue 12 June

Wed 20 June

Tue 10 July

Wed 18 July

Tue 11 September

Wed 19 September

Tue 16 October

Wed 20 February 2013

Tue 19 March
Email stp@lbhf.gov.uk if you would like to book a place one of the above dates.

All h&f lorry drivers (eg refuse collectors) have now completed this course. 

We are also distributing large yellow TfL warning stickers to be fixed on the back of lorries, warning cyclists of the dangers of passing on the inside of the vehicle.  Free of charge.

Cyclists

The coned-off area in the photo above, to the left and front of the lorry, shows where the driver's blind spots are - don't go there!

Every month we set up a roadside event where cyclists are invited to visit a  lorry cab and talk to the driver and find out about the issues of visibility and correct positioning, blind spots, mirrors.  Meanwhile a professional mechanic offers a free Dr Bike check-up and service on your bike. Free maps and puncture kits available too! 

Please email stp@lbhf.gov.uk for details of the next event in Hammersmith & Fulham.  TfL also organise similar events across the rest of London, find details here.

See also useful TfL page here