Cycle safety plans for London
Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Transport for London (TfL) have today published a major plan of action to improve the safety of cyclists in the capital.
The Cycle Safety Action Plan, including input from expert groups as well as ordinary Londoners, identifies the types of collision that are most likely to result in serious cycling accidents and sets out measures to reduce them over the next year.
Key problems identified include collisions with heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), which account for more than half of London's cyclist fatalities each year, and 'close proximity' collisions, where cyclists and other road users fail to give each other enough road space. The plan, which will be delivered in partnership with the Police, London boroughs, the freight industry, and cycling and road safety campaign groups, features a range of measures including:
•Providing additional funding to boost the provision and effectiveness of cycle training in advance of the launch of the Cycle Hire Scheme and Cycle Superhighways. The Mayor and TfL are calling for Londoners to sign up for the TfL-funded cycle training available through London’s borough councils by visiting www.tfl.gov.uk/cycling
•The development of an awareness-raising campaign targeted specifically at improving safety between HGVs and cyclists.
•Working with the Police to tackle irresponsible road user behaviour.
•Working with the London Criminal Justice Board to strengthen criminal justice procedures for dealing with cyclist deaths and serious injuries.
•Delivering safer infrastructure for cyclists, including the first two Cycle Superhighways, which will trial new safety features such as Trixi mirrors.
•Researching the potential for piloting cyclists being able to turn left at red traffic lights, and the potential for a cycling safety code of conduct.
•Distributing safety mirrors to fleet operators and working with the industry to avoid deliveries at peak times, especially on roads with high cycle flows.
•Working with bike retailers and manufacturers to provide safety messages at the point of sale.
The initiative coincides with the launch of a TfL cycle safety advertising campaign on television and in cinemas across London.
The advert will be shown in primetime slots on ITV1, Channel 4 and FIVE that focuses on a bank heist where as the robbers rush to get away a cyclist pays a heavy price. The advert appeals to drivers to look out for cyclists using the message: the more you look out for something, the more obvious it becomes.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "The arrival of spring in London is now accompanied by a glorious cornucopia of cyclists taking to the streets in a purposeful display of pedal power. I want each and every one of those people to be as safe as possible, and for thousands more to join them, which is why we are working in every conceivable way to give Londoners the road awareness, infrastructure, and statutory support to stay safe.
“This is London's year of cycling and we are working tirelessly with the police, cycling industry, safety groups, freight operators and more to ensure it can be enjoyed by everyone from seasoned commuters through to those taking up cycling for the first time.”
