According to several tweets, today is “No more lethal lorries” campaign day aiming to cut the numbers injured on London’s streets by trucks.
With the advent of Boris Bikes and especially now that you can hire them without an account just using your credit card, it seems there might need to be a greater awareness for both car & lorry drivers and cyclists to keep the capital’s roads safer.
The campaign according to the No more lethal lorries web site is wanting to initially collect signatures to encourage London’s lorry drivers to take various actions to reduce accidents involving lorries and bikes – whether they be private or Boris Bikes.
The web site gives 5 main points that they’d like to see:
1) Cyclist-awareness training for drivers.
2) Drivers must take more responsibility (around blind spots etc.)
3) Safer design for London lorries inc. more mirrors and cameras.
4) Higher standards from lorry operators with quality-assurance schemes.
5) More responsible procurement (mainly related to those hiring the lorry firms).
Alternative: Making London’s roads safer does sound a good idea, but this does seem very one-sided essentially putting all the blame on the lorry drivers for accidents.
It would seem they missed out quite a few points which would at least help the situation.
1) All cyclists must pass the cycling proficiency test (might make Boris Bikes a little harder).
2) Bikes, starting with Boris Bikes should have a flashing beacon.
3) All cyclists must wear a helmet and other appropriate protection.
4) In car/truck training to show just what the driver really can see.
5) Reminded that as road users anyone cycling is as responsible for observing their surroundings as a car / wagon driver.
Combination: With a combination of better training and reminders for car & wagon drivers, and training for cyclists London could become quite a harmonious place for both.
Of course everyone can hate the BMW drivers! ;-)
The cycling petition is here. There are also several places around the city where you can sign the petitions in person according to their web site.
