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Major Midlands haulage firm partners with Metaltek Scott team to reinforce road safety message

Knights of Old says partnership aims to raise cycle awareness among staff, wider industry and community

A Northamptonshire-based haulage firm has announced a partnership with British professional cycling team Metaltek Scott that is aimed at raising awareness of cycle safety among both cyclists and lorry drivers as well as the wider community.

Kettering-based Knights of Old plans to hold workshops for its staff to highlight cycling and road safety issues as well as areas including fitness and nutrition, and will also be visiting schools in the area in April as part of a road safety campaign.

Managing director Ian Beattie said: “We recognise that we have a responsibility to look after our staff, the local community and all road users and by joining forces with a professional cycling team we gain expertise and a greater platform to generate interest, discussion and positive results.

“Unfortunately, more accidents between cyclists and trucks are happening but through training and raising awareness on both sides we hope to be able to make a difference,” he continued.

“We recognise that this will be a challenge and it will take time and effort from everyone, not just Knights of Old and Metaltek-Scott.

“The wellbeing of our staff is very important to us, and by holding workshops, hosting forums and focusing on training we hope to have a healthier workforce.”

Referring to the road safety campaign it will be conducting in partnership with local schools, he said: “The interest from the schools has been great. They too have the same items on their agendas and by working with local companies and a professional team; the topics get covered in a different way which is more interesting for the children.”

The company announced in December that it was to merge with Mainland Group, the combined business boasting a turnover approaching £50 million and a fleet of 200 trucks and 225 trailers, with 400 employees.

It has also brought other members of the industry into its road safety initiative including TruckEast, its Scania dealer, and SDC Trailers.

“These are big issues that the industry is facing and by involving our key suppliers in events we hope to start to shift the culture towards cycling, safety, and nutrition internally and externally,” concluded Mr Beattie.

Formed at the end of 2011, Metaltek Scott is managed by Andy Swain, owner of CNC engineering company Metaltek Engineering Solutions, based in Melton Mowbray, who has more than 25 years’ experience of cycling as a rider, race organiser and sponsor.

Previously, the company sponsored Cycle Premier-Metalek, which finished sixth in the Halfords Tour Series last year.
 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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14 comments

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Bob's Bikes | 12 years ago
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Great! good news for all concerned, oh P.S. I like the kit/colour scheme.

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OldRidgeback | 12 years ago
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tailswing - when the back end of a long vehicle protuding past the rear axle(s) exhibits a larger turning radius than the rest of the vehicle. This is because it is the axle that is in contact with the road surface, not the very rear. It is particularly pronounced with the trailing end for an articulated vehicle, such as with an articulated truck or (bendy)bus.

It's also a very bad idea to be close on the inside of an articulated vehicle on a bend because of the overhang issue.

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hairyairey | 12 years ago
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Here's a challenging question for you all, what is "tailswing"?

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hairyairey | 12 years ago
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I might suggest to them that cyclists are given the chance of driving a truck just to see how hard it is. For completeness truck drivers should then ride a bicycle.

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notfastenough | 12 years ago
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The next one of their drivers to be liable in a tangle with a cyclist is going to be for the high jump - suspect that will improve standards as much as anything else!

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therevokid | 12 years ago
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You'd need some "shoulders" for a partnership with
Norbert Dentressangle ...  1

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SevenHills | 12 years ago
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As long as they don't pair that shirt with Brown shorts a la Ag2r. Now that really would be awful. Although you would get noticed!

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downfader replied to SevenHills | 12 years ago
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SevenHills wrote:

As long as they don't pair that shirt with Brown shorts a la Ag2r. Now that really would be awful. Although you would get noticed!

Always thought AG2R looked like lederhosen to me, LOL!  21

Nice to see a Haulage company involved with a team though. Who next? Robinsons, Stobbarts?  3

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Cammy | 12 years ago
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Promoting safety can only be a good thing; but surely it could have been done in style?
The kit.....  31  31

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Simon E | 12 years ago
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Excellent!

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pmr | 12 years ago
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Great News. Everthing helps.

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schmiken | 12 years ago
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This is fantastic news!

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Simon_MacMichael | 12 years ago
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Ahem. Thanks  1

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Coleman | 12 years ago
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Sounds like good news.

Formed at the end of 2012? That's fast work.

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