TfL backs London Cycling Campaign's Safer Lorries, Safer Cycling pledge

Transport for London (TfL) has today backed the Safer Lorries, Safer Cycling campaign from the London Cycling Campaign (LCC), which calls on councils throughout Greater London to pledge that their own vehicles and those of the contractors and sub-contractors they use comply with certain requirements regarding the safety of cyclists.

Supporting the campaign, Ben Plowden, Director of Planning, TfL Surface Transport commented: “Tackling the issues that dangerous lorries can cause to vulnerable road users is a core priority for TfL and London Cycling Campaign’s Safer Lorries, Safer Cycling campaign will help further drive this approach across the industry.

“If all London councils were to sign up to strict safety standards for their vehicles, together we can all help to create safer streets for vulnerable road users.”

London Cycling Campaign says that TfL’s support would not have been possible without the support its members and other cyclists in the capital who have lobbied local authorities to back its pledge, which asks the city’s 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation to make the following commitment:

"We'll work to improve the safety of every Londoner by only signing new contracts with the safest haulage companies, which conform to the London Cycling Campaign’s Safer Lorries conditions. We also pledge to ensure our council-operated services meet the same standards."

Those standards are that all lorries, used by the council, its contractors and their sub-contractors will have:

A close-proximity warning system (visual or audible) to make the driver aware of cyclists and pedestrians who might hidden from view.This can include an appropriate CCTV camera or Fresnel lens where this provides an adequate alternative.

A Class VI mirror, sideguards, and prominent signage on the rear of the lorry warning cyclists not to undertake.

An external warning device to ensure nearby road users are aware of a planned manoeuvre.

The haulier will be a member of a reputable best-practice safety organisation, FORS or equivalent.

The pledge also requires that all drivers have:

A driving licence check with the DVLA (before starting on a contract), with their licence being rechecked regularly.
Taken the Approved Driver Training within 60 days of the contract starting, unless they’ve had this training within three years. The training must include TfL’s Safe Urban Driving course, with on-bike hazard-awareness training.

Passed a FORS e-learning Work-Related Road Safety module (or an approved equivalent) at least every 12 months.

The London Boroughs of Islington and Walton Forest have committed themselves to the pledge, and while the City of London Corporation has not yet done so, LCC says it “has achieved the highest standard for safety equipment and fleet management for its vehicles.”

Most other boroughs, coloured amber in the picture above, have made some progress, with the ones coloured red having a long way to go to meet LCC’s requirements.

You can find out the status of individual boroughs by clicking on their names on the LCC website, which will also give you a link to write to the borough concerned.