http://www.pledgebank.com/cyclesafely Comments on 'write to my MP about the continuing problem of London cyclists being critically injured by lorries' en-gb team@pledgebank.com 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 2 hourly http://www.pledgebank.com/cyclesafely#comment_2901426 Edited response from DFT/Geoff Hoon's office: Any decision to ban vehicles over a certain weight from the charging zone is a matter for the Mayor and Transport for London. Virtually all large goods vehicles operating within the London low emission zone will be retro-fitted with mirrors similar to those required for new vehicles by 31 March. We have no evidence to suggest that using cycle lanes or advanced stop lines are any less safe for cyclists than roads not so equipped. The DFT has just commissioned TRL to undertake a two year programme of research into the causes of cyclist casualties. Your point on tougher punishments for drivers and lorry companies convicted of negligent driving (is) a matter for the Home Office to consider. I am sending a copy of this correspondence to them. Fran Simpson http://www.pledgebank.com/cyclesafely#comment_2857205 Edited response from TFL We are very sensitive to the issues that you have raised and we are working on a number of initiatives to further improve cyclist safety. These include: Detailed research into collisions including cyclist fatalities. Rolling out the Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS), which is a unique, industry-led Freight operator membership scheme with the aim of transforming freight delivery in London. FORS can assist in highlighting safety issues to operators. Contributing to a consultation by the Department for Transport which proposes the retrofitting of improved wide-angle and close-proximity mirrors to HGVs that have come into operation since January 2000. In fact, in our response we made clear that we believed that all heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes should be retrofitted with these additional mirrors. Distributing another 10,000 “Fresnel” lenses to freight operators in London Continuing with publicity campaigns on the TfL website and in other media. Providing funding for “Bikeability” training courses. Investigation of casualty collision locations, safety auditing and road safety engineering/traffic management The Cycling pages on TfL's website are being revised to include detailed safety tips for cyclists and HGVs on London’s busy roads. We are also working with London Councils to sponsor legislation (the London Local Authorities and Transport for London (No 2) Bill), which will clarify the legal position regarding Advance Stop Lines (ASLs) and allow for camera enforcement of ASLs. It will also remove the current need for lead-in lanes and make ASLs easier to enforce. We are looking at ways to pilot and evaluate new cycling safety initiatives, working closely with the City Road Safety Forum. Graham Hurt Customer Service AdvisorTfL - London StreetsSurface Transport Communications http://www.pledgebank.com/cyclesafely#comment_2845243 Finally got time to dig up some email addresses and do my pledge. Try these: Roger King is r"dot"king"at"rha"dot"net David Brown, best I could get is enquire"at"tfl"dot"gov"dot"uk and mark email subject FAO: David Brown, MD, Surface Transport Geoff Hoon is Geoff"dot"Hoon"at"dft"dot"gsi"dot"gov"dot"uk Boris is, of course mayor"at"london"dot"gov"dot"uk And your MP and local London Assembly reps come from the writetothem.com link. I'll post any responses I get. http://www.pledgebank.com/cyclesafely#comment_2802233 Hi! I wrote to my MP and London Assembly member. I wrote to TFL and Mayor's office before and below is an excerpt, although I think the latter is mostly templated... Please share bits of your responses by posting them as a comment. *** Response from Gemma Jacob, Customer Service Advisor, Transport for London, Surface Transport Communications "...We are in active discussions with the Mayor about the issue of safety in relation to cyclists and HGVs. We are also working with partners to improve engineering, enforcement and education to make things safer for cyclists. This includes work with HGV operators and the police to highlight the problems and look for solutions." *** The rest of the email talks about road a cycle lane maintenance. http://www.pledgebank.com/cyclesafely#comment_2765172 Hm - I fear that you would have to go through TFLs feedback forms... Unless someone out there knows these email addresses? If yes, send them to me and I can then distribute it to the signers of this pledge. http://www.pledgebank.com/cyclesafely#comment_2763138 Any chance of the email addresses for the non-elected people listed (David Brown, Roger King, perhaps even the Sec. Of State for Transport) when the pledge gets activated?