London Cycling Getting Better
Posted on October 28, 2009
With London's cycle revolution gaining pace and thousands of potential cyclists set to join you on the streets of the capital; I am writing to draw your attention to plans that the Mayor, in his capacity as Chairman of Transport for London, has drawn up to ensure the continued safety of you and your fellow cyclists.
Download the draft Cycle Safety Action Plan (927KB)
I hope you will be able to spare some time to read through what TFL believe is a further important step in their plan to make taking to two wheels in the capital as safe as possible.
The new plan highlights the need for action in London by:
- Promoting the cycling safety message to all road users.
- Delivering new, safe cycle routes and facilities - such as the new Cycle Superhighways routes and the central London Cycle Hire scheme with its 6,000 bikes.
- Providing confidence boosting training for cyclists, and other road users - £3 million has been invested in cycle training this year.
- Encouraging HGV operators in London to take cycling safety seriously - including engaging with 7,000 London companies and encouraging them to join TfL's Freight Operators Recognition Scheme.
- Working with over 300 freight companies which operate construction vehicles - they will be encouraged to install side-bars or other safety devices on HGVs which are currently exempt.
- Calling for improved HGV safety - by reviewing the current exemption for some construction vehicles to have side-bars and requiring cycle safety awareness as a mandatory part of HGV drivers 'Certificate of Professional Competence' (CPC) periodic training requirement.
- Championing the need to allow trials of innovative safety measures - such as Trixi mirrors in London to examine their potential benefits for cycling safety.
- Creating a Cycle Safety Working Group of key road user and cycling organisations.
- Arranging 'Exchanging Places' HGV/Cycle events similar to those we organised to mark the launch of this plan - with more to follow in November and coming months - giving London's cyclists the opportunity to learn about riding safely near HGVs.
- Using the latest research into collisions involving cyclists - to ensure the efforts of TfL and other partners are focused where they will make greatest difference.