Why oh why can we not have short burst public information films on the TV at prime time?
Showing such as a lorry driver’s view from the cab and a cyclist riding up the inside and stopping in the blind spot.
How to indicate correctly on roundabouts.
How to join the motorway from a slip road.
etc. etc.
Driveroneuk:
Why oh why can we not have short burst public information films on the TV at prime time?Showing such as a lorry driver’s view from the cab and a cyclist riding up the inside and stopping in the blind spot.
How to indicate correctly on roundabouts.
How to join the motorway from a slip road.
etc. etc.
and not running RED LIGHTS! 
SQUASH 'EM ALL 
It’s interesting to read many (not all) comments in this thread taking a very defensive attitude and some slagging of the LCC spokesperson. Interesting because you have clearly not even taken the time to google ‘London Cycling Campaign’ and vist their website at Home - London Cycling Campaign
Those of you who say rather than putting drivers on cycles they should instead put cyclists in LGVs should be delighted with LCC. They run “Exchanging Places” events that seek to do just that.
Thos of you who say they should warn cyclists about not coming up the side of LGVs should also be delighted with LCC. That is exactly the advice they give and they go on to advise cyclists to move back if having arrived at a junction first they are then overtaken by an LGV.
I am not suggesting they are ever going to reflect even a balanced view because at the end of the day they are a “cyclists” campaign group, but they are at least trying to educate their members to save lives. The least we can do is read their website before condemning them.
Good reading that and nice to know they do want to improve the safety by both better equipped lorries and education of cyclists.
But the advice to cyclists is buried with in the site and not highlighted very well.
To find it you have to click on the “Campaign” tab. Then at the bottom of the Campaign for Change Article on a link titled Safer Lorries, Safer Cycling, and even then you have to click on another link in the last paragraph before the Final Word.
Not exactly highlighting the “Education of Cyclists” but better than nothing. It also starts well but then finishes by banging on the driver/lorries at fault drum.
This is an extract form the said “Advice for cyclists to stay safer around lorries”, from the aptly named “Whose to blame for crashes” I’ve made bold the bits that still bang on the “Drivers/Lorries” at fault.
"There’s considerable evidence that many fatalities are not caused by cyclists undertaking lorries, but by drivers manoeuvring their lorry into a position that puts the cyclist at risk.
It’s essential cyclists know how to not put themselves at risk unnecessarily and also to know how to stay out of danger when lorry drivers put them in a dangerous position.
We advocate the best training for drivers and the best-equipped lorries to reduce road danger."
Here’s a campaign I would like to see. Short punchy and to the point along the KISS principle (KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid).
IN RUSH TO DIE, THEN GET IN THE BLIND SPOT AND HIDE! with a suitably graphic image of a crushed cyclist.
Whilst it is our responsibility to check all mirrors they can help improve their safety by not being there in the first place and a short sharp shocking campaign will do the trick.
iDriver:
I am not suggesting they are ever going to reflect even a balanced view because at the end of the day they are a “cyclists” campaign group, but they are at least trying to educate their members to save lives. The least we can do is read their website before condemning them.
A fair point well made; however, given the blasts of oppobrium and condemnation that shower the lorry-driving community every time this sort of thing happens to “innocent cyclists”, you can’t realistically complain if we end up somewhat cynical.
iDriver:
It’s interesting to read many (not all) comments in this thread taking a very defensive attitude and some slagging of the LCC spokesperson. Interesting because you have clearly not even taken the time to google ‘London Cycling Campaign’ and vist their website at Home - London Cycling CampaignThose of you who say rather than putting drivers on cycles they should instead put cyclists in LGVs should be delighted with LCC. They run “Exchanging Places” events that seek to do just that.
Thos of you who say they should warn cyclists about not coming up the side of LGVs should also be delighted with LCC. That is exactly the advice they give and they go on to advise cyclists to move back if having arrived at a junction first they are then overtaken by an LGV.
I am not suggesting they are ever going to reflect even a balanced view because at the end of the day they are a “cyclists” campaign group, but they are at least trying to educate their members to save lives. The least we can do is read their website before condemning them.
Can’t disagree with any of what you say but would add that the number of cyclists, as a percentage of the cycling population, who read/follow/members of LCC is probably the same as the number of lorryists who read/follow/members of Trucknet. It’s very small.
I, sadly, do not see an viable solution as cyclists, like any road user, are human with all the failings/frailties that go with it.
:
Whilst it is our responsibility to check all mirrors they can help improve their safety by not being there in the first place and a short sharp shocking campaign will do the trick…
I was wondering how long before someone mentioned the drivers part of the deal…and the consensus of opinion on here seems to be to fully blame the cyclists.
The thing we can’t hide from is that a cyclist in our blind spot is generally a cyclist who has NOT been in our blind spot for the few seconds before they get there. We can’t be mind readers but we can do our best! Instead of re-tuning the radio, picking our noses and making a coffee when stopped at lights an occasional glance at the n/s mirror could save a life.
To balance that…Had a near miss myself the other day when I watched a cyclist change to the pavement. I was turning left. What I didn’t see was him changing his mind and come back onto road while I was watching tail swing in other mirror. Was a scary moment when I realised he was there again and about to be squashed against a railing.
Scanner:
I’ve done that course as part of the DCPC. It taught me nothing that I didn’t already know about cycling or driving.
Can you put your hand on your heart and tell me you’ve been taught anything you didn’t already know on a DCPC course?
Tragic loss I agree, but it’s about time they brought in a simple test that cyclists who wish to ride on the public highway have to pass first. They could identify those who have passed with them having to display a small sign on their bike (an ‘L’ sign for example), the same as scooter riders have to pass a CBT. Make them pay a small fee, fine those who don’t comply.
The rider gets an education on the dangers of LGVs, the government makes a bit of money and hopefully the cyclist death rates drop and drivers stop getting prosecuted for dangerous driving.
Win win in my eyes.
Faulty indicator or not. That isn’t a major factor in this case. The stupid [zb] didn’t indicate until the lights changed to green.
the maoster:
Scanner:
I’ve done that course as part of the DCPC. It taught me nothing that I didn’t already know about cycling or driving.Can you put your hand on your heart and tell me you’ve been taught anything you didn’t already know on a DCPC course?
Kind of… I did a HIAB course and they firm charged me £70 extra to make it part of my DCPC… 
To get into London, we have to be LEZ compliant, and, where necessary, pay congestion charge.
Why not give two-wheeled riders a sticker for their helmets? And while I’m on the subject, taxi drivers too.?
Let them have a go on a simulator, and see what we’re up against.
Will never happen, but worth a mention.
Scanner:
the maoster:
Scanner:
I’ve done that course as part of the DCPC. It taught me nothing that I didn’t already know about cycling or driving.Can you put your hand on your heart and tell me you’ve been taught anything you didn’t already know on a DCPC course?
Kind of… I did a HIAB course and they firm charged me £70 extra to make it part of my DCPC…
If they were jaupt approved and you refused to pay an excessive upload fee, then all you have to do is provide proof that you have done the course and pay for the upload direct. About £8.00 ish.