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"I will write to my MP about the continuing problem of London cyclists being critically injured by lorries but only if 20 other Londoners will do the same."
— Brani, passionate about safer cycling in London
Deadline to sign up by: 24th October 2008
23 people signed up (3 over target)
Country: United Kingdom
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In the last week two London cyclists were killed in collisions with lorries and another was seriously injured.
A London Road Safety Unit study of London cyclist fatalities between 1999 and 2002 concluded that, of the 49 collisions with lorries, more than half were the result of a left turn by the lorry.
The design of many of London’s cycle lanes and advance stop lines (green boxes at traffic lights) lure cyclists into the most dangerous position at junctions: slightly in front of and to the left of lorries.
At the two junctions where cyclists were recently killed by left-turning lorries (Upper Thames Street junction with Queen Street Place, and Camley Street junction with Goods Way) there are advance stop lines, both with feeder cycle lanes from the left.
What is needed:
1. A ban on very large lorries (HGVs) from the current Congestion Charge zone during Congestion Charge hours.
2. Compulsory installation of the latest ‘blind spot’ mirrors and more training for drivers on how to use them.
3. Removal of dangerous cycle lanes.
4. Tougher punishments for drivers and lorry companies convicted of negligent driving.
To make this happen, we need to tell the government officials and the lorry companies about the problem and demand that they take action.
Write to:
- Your MP
- Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
- Your representative on the London Assembly
- Your local councillors
- The Secretary of State for Transport
- David Brown, Managing Director, Surface Transport, Transport for London
- Roger King, Chief Executive, Road Haulage Association
Find out who your elected representatives are and how to write to them by visiting www.WriteToThem.com
Changing laws, removing dangerous cycle lanes, fitting better mirrors and training lorry drivers will take time.
In the meantime, cycle safely
http://www.cyclesafelondon.com/