SAVE OUR CYCLISTS: April 2015

Thanks to the 900+ people who filled in the supporter survey, you can read about the responses below, and a few responses from me.

What should we campaign on in 2015?

In order of popularity:

Demand every council has a programme to build protected cycle facilities at junctions and along main roads. 624 - 66.4%
Ban HGVs from the rush hour and make them deliver early in the morning or during the day. 472 - 50.2%
Tfl to conduct and publish an urgent review in to all cyclist-lorry fatalities since 2000 to identify common factors. 369 - 39.3%
Ban TfL funding from being used on schemes which consist only of paint with no physical improvements to our roads. 352 - 37.4%
Target businesses who haven't signed up to a safer lorry scheme - name and shame. 328 - 34.9%
Lobby every council to sign up to the LCC's safer lorries pledge in full. 322 - 34.3%
Lobby TfL and the mayor to provide start up funding for 50 cargo bike delivery hubs across London. 80 - 8.5%
Other suggestions (see below for details).

It is clear that putting pressure on the councils is an essential step for better cycling in London. With the limited resources of this campaign we will only be able to target key councils, so I'd encourage any of our supporters who have a bit of time to get involved with a local cycling group - you can find your local LCC group here.

How could you support the campaign?

Again, in order of popularity:

Email your MP. 562 - 59.8%
Share the petition with friends. 531 - 56.5% (hopefully everyone who ticked this one also did it - if not please do it now!)
Email your local councillor (with some suggested emails to help). 495 - 52.7%
Attend a protest. 342 - 36.4%
Write to a local paper. 105 - 11.2%
Contact a business. 93 - 9.9%
Research businesses/local councils. 49 - 5.2%
Other suggestions (see below for details).

More than half of our supporters want to get involved by directly contacting their elected representatives, which is great and we will definitely try to pick up on this with our future actions and highlighting the actions of other campaign groups. If you feel moved to write to your councillor, MP or local paper please share your letter with us and we will publish it here!

For the people who can attend protests we will continue to highlight the key protests in London. I've also noticed more groups around the country running protests so have a look online and follow people/pages about cycling in your area, there may be one near you (in the last couple of weeks there have been events in Tunbridge Wells & Bristol).

Suggestions for 'What should we campaign on in 2015'?

Reviewing the 'other' responses there are some themes mentioned several times:

There are a lot of calls for 20mph zones across London, which we certainly support and will continue to support.
Several others suggest variation of restricting or banning HGV and other traffic reduction.
The incentives for HGV drivers which encourage hurrying (and the lack of incentives for safe driving).
Cycle training (note that this is freely available from some councils - see here for London or contact your council).

I also wanted to specifically respond to a comment about the campaign:

Broaden campaign nationwide There are millions of cyclists (including kids!) outside of London facing identical problems which are not limited to London commuters yet local authority indifference & apathy is stifling change

This is so true, unfortunately our campaign resources are very limited and we're not able to fill that role. I would strongly encourage supporters of this petition around the country to get involved in the existing local and national campaigns for better conditions for cycling, or to start their own. You can find campaigns near you via http://www.cyclenation.org.uk/groups, social media and twitter can also be a really good way to stay in contact with what's happening near you.

We also encourage people to engage with other related campaigns which are making the roads safer for all of us.

Suggestions and Feedback:

There were many suggestions and a selection are listed below. There are some really moving stories below unfortunately we can't respond to these individually, but have highlighted some of the messages. Note that publishing these messages does not mean I agree with all of them, a few have been edited out as they are clearly at odds with the aims of the campaign.

Police encforcement of current cycling safety provision needs to be improved (e.g. bicycle boxes next to traffic lights, occupied by cars...)
make all residential roads and roads cyclists need to share with motorists 20mph or less and install speed camera and introduce fines for motorists who exceed the speed limit. close roads that are too narrow for a car to safely overtake a cyclists and make them car free or one way only get someone who is an experienced cyclist to design London's cycle routes rather than a pen pusher who doesn't know how to ride a bike Nationwide: make riding a cycle in traffic part of the driving test examination (this will aso be good for some dodgy cyclists!). This needs to extend to lorry drivers and for them repeated once a year if they want to keep their licence
We are at a tipping point and we have to gain traction in all steps to improve roads. I have been cycling in and around the capital for 25 years and the risks have increased to cyclists as he volume of cyclists have grown.
I am an ex-Londoner who now lives in Swansea. I support your campaign because I am horrified by the carnage of cyclists on London's roads. Being in Wales I can't join in much of your practical campaigning. It is self evident that a rolling review of all cycle fatalities should be conducted to assess for common factors and particular accident hot-spots.
I have cycled in London for over twenty years - now I just take the back streets and try not to stress out - I ignore the painted highways and allow longer to get everywhere as its so dangerous on the main roads - I really am at a loss to understand how the councils and state (our state ?) have not managed to improve things on the roads for cyclists when it has been obvious to me along what needs doing - i am at a complete and total loss as to what we should do (sorry)
I'm a daily cycling commuter. I see on a daily basis how cyclists ride unsafely, ex. no lights at dawn, jumping red lights, overtaking lorries and buses on the inner side when no traffic etc. In my opinion educating us should be the first step in a process of making our roads safe.
Get the Skycycle happening. http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2014/jan/02/norman-foster-skycycle-elevated-bike-routes-london
If you insist on HGV's being banned from the rush hour and make them deliver early in the morning or during the day, just remember that this may hike up prices of goods, as HGV drivers might start insisting on more wages!
How about outside London - there were 5 deaths in the first 6 days of 2015!
Surely the main improvements we need are infrastructural. Is it realistic to expect HGVs to only deliver at certain times? And is it even a guarantor of cyclist safety? As a cyclist myself, I want road structures that simply separate me from these things so the obviously high risk of human error is removed as near as possible completely. And would the cycle facilities at junctions include separate lights for cyclists? Because in many instances, I think that's what's needed. I had a run-in with an HGV at a junction recently. I was in the box for cyclists just before the lights and the driver started edging into it before the lights changed so he could overtake me and turn without letting me go first. I stopped him doing this and he accused me of dangerous driving and nearly hit me, except that I got away. Clearly, for me to be really safe from people like this, my rights on the road need to be formally enforced somehow, though I don't know how that would work exactly. But it feels as if, for me to be really safe at junctions, I'd need to be able to cross before any motorised traffic is allowed to, which is why I raise the subject of separate lights.
Need to coordinate with Space4Cycling campaign
I would ideally like to see cycle lanes like those in France or Holland, where cycle lanes are physically removed from everyday traffic, with a brick divide or a clear distinction, so cyclists lives are not in jeopardy riding down the road. Especially when the government is trying to encourage more people to get into cycling (e.g. cycle to work scheme) they therefore need it to be a safe experience if they want to promote a healthier lifestyle.
My brother, Ninian Donald, was killed by a tipper truck turning left (from the right hand lane) in Hackney in 2007. In find it very hard to believe that the no of identical preventable "accidents" is still at this level nearly 8 years later. Am happy to provide support where I can. Kind regards Saskia

I was hit by a skip 10 months ago and had to have my right foot amputated below the knee. I was not at fault and in a cycling lane. He says he did not see me; it was a very clear day he had all the mirrors and I was v visably clothed inc crash helmet; I am 70 yrs and have cycled a lot
Broaden campaign nationwide. There are millions of cyclists (including kids!) outside London facing identical problems which are not limited to London commuters, yet local authority indifference & apathy is stifling change.
This is urgent - cycling is such a great way to travel around London but the dangers are so high.
Unfortunately there is a big increase of behaviour changes of traffic participants which follow the rule ‘the bigger one is the more rights they have’. I experienced this on lesser ‘civilised’ countries during traveling. Whereby the opposite needs to be enforced by law that weaker traffic partners have more rights: Pedestrians -> Cycles -> Motorbikes -> Cars -> Lorries and Busses Offenders who leave someone injured or even get someone killed getting off to lightly. I’m from Germany and when I saw the paint on the road I firstly laughed about this ridiculous idea of this would preventing any incidents or accidents. Why does an organisation spend money on that. Are there no experts in government, councils or the TfL? How about using the knowledge of other countries in Europe/World to achieve a safer environment rather than putting useless speed bumps on the road or painting some silly markings on the road hoping this would prevent anything bad happening.
I founded the See Me Save Me campaign to eliminate lorry danger We need calls to sign up to CLOCs national standard for construction logistics We need to join forces We have been campaigning on this for 6years and Cynthia Barlow OBE longer
Some time in the mid 1990s the met carried out a major operation on tipper trucks on the Kinds Cross development (I think they set up a road block on the Caledonian Road or Goods Way). It was reported in the Evening Standard. The results were shocking with high numbers of drivers testing positive for alcohol, defective vehicles, unsafe loads etc. It was a shocking expose - but mysteriously it was never followed up and never repeated but the problems with these lorries (and their drivers) have been known for a long time.
There needs to be more awareness mainly for bus and hgv drivers but also cyclists I was hit on zebra crossing by a cyclist overtaking a car that had stopped for me I was half way across so plenty of time for him to stop pedestrians are vulnerable to cyclist as are cyclists vulnerable to road vehicles although the consequences are far worse for cyclist,
I'm not sure what the "Cargo bike delivery hubs" are or what they would achieve. I would support a ban on HGVs in the rush hour, but feel this is an unrealistic demand, as big business rules the world.
As a cyclist myself I am amazed that more cyclists aren't killed in London. Yes, cyclists would be safer if you banned motor vehicles from the roads, but I honestly believe you would be better off campaigning for better education of cyclists, if you wish to save lives.
The continuing death toll shows that pledges and voluntary schemes are not nearly effective enough. In the short term, HGV’s should be kept apart from cyclists and pedestrians through restrictions on the hours that trucks can be driven. Significant reductions on the speed at which HGV’s can travel should be imposed immediately. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency should subject HGV drivers to enhanced proficiency testing, and psychometric testing to evaluate whether they have the necessary mindset to bear responsibility for the disproportionate threat of death they pose to other road users. In the medium term, wherever possible (note: let’s not confuse possible with profitable), freight should be carried by rail or tramline, or transported by river, such as has been done by enlightened demolition and construction haulage schemes. The design of trucks should be subject to special scrutiny by the Health and Safety Executive, and research should be conducted into the interaction between the vehicle, the urban road network and other road users. Our long term goal should be for cycling to be part of a safe and sustainable transport system for London, which will involve a shift of emphasis from private motor vehicles towards an integrated system that is based on respect for human life and the ecosystem that sustains it.
It would be interesting to learn what proportion of fatalities involving lorries were those of excessive length . There used to be a prohibition against such vehicles but EU regs. and business economics prevailed and the resultant damage evident, including to underground utilities, pavings and built structures. Earlier still, most goods were shifted around the country by rail with collection hubs for road carriers! [Fred: I started looking in to this but realised that the majority of cyclists killed by HGVs in London are killed by the shorter vehicles rather than the longer articulated ones. That doesn't mean there isn't a danger there but it's clear that the current HGV danger isn't about the longest vehicles, if you were to characterise them it would be non-articulated vehicles working for the contraction industry]
Although I don't live in London, I do sometimes cycle there and fully support this campaign. These problems are particularly acute in London but they affect all our major cities to some extent.
I can't see where else to write this question................how many of the lorries involved were left hand drive? [I don't know, certainly something TfL should be investigating - from memory almost all of the lorries were based in the UK. It's also worth noting that the typical fatality involves a cyclist caught on the left of a left turning HGV, however left hand drive vehicles might be more likely to cause other collissions]
Until the law is changed, everything else is pointless.
This is not just an issue for London MPs as lots of cyclists that ride the capitals streets are from far and wide.
I don't know the detail around the cycler deaths, so am not laying blame when I suggest this...but I do believe that all cyclists on the roads should pass some form of cycling proficiency test. There are too many poor cyclists out there who give good cyclists a bad name.
I'm not a cyclist, so I hesitate to give my opinions as they may not be the most relevant, tho over the years I've lost three cyclist friends, two of them to HGVs. I've suggested targeting councils rather than TfL or Bloody Boris as I have little faith in him, or them under him, and this could wait till we've got a saner mayor in London. Many councils are likely to be more amenable, and they are more likely to listen to campaigners.
There has to be a sensible attitude towards the responsibility each cyclist takes for his or her own safety. Reinforce the basic steps that cyclists should take eg all to wear crash helmets and have proper lights and NOT to jump red lights.
Improve the cycling network in London. At the moment the focus is having a nice ride at the weekend with family, often involving getting on and off the bike, going through parks which are closed after dark, spitting you out unexpectedly into busy roads and traffic and taking long detours, making commuting a mission which puts people off. That simply reduces cycling to a hobby rather than what it is in the city - an extremely effective mode of transport. We need better routes that are direct and navigable as well as being separated from traffic and pedestrians.
I think the most useful thing you could mobilise is some mass evidence-gathering. Just getting submissions from cyclists with helmet cameras would be a start but having volunteers taking it in turns to film at relevant locations would be much better. [Fred: There are a number of groups which collect this kind of footage and can advise on how to report it, one such is https://www.facebook.com/groups/638001546297291]
Given that the same journalists / media attend each event, speeches should vary, and be increasingly assertive remonstrative. And you don't have to lick up to the police because they don't do anything for people's safety. If you really don't want to criticise them, just don't talk about them at all. Buzzwords we don't hear enough: 'corporate manslaughter', 'corporate responsibility', 'vision zero', 'institutionalized discrimination'... We need really passionate speakers (Donnachadh is good...)
We should get TFL (or cyclists associations) to look at how how cities with cyclists cope with HGVs - for example do they restrict them to certain times of day in the city, or are they banned from certain areas, or must HGV drivers going into London pass special tests or have special equipment fitted on their trucks? In parallel, cyclists need more training. There are still cyclists who cycle dangerously, disregard the Highway Code, and who put themselves needlessly at risk.
Hasn't the EU just delayed regulations to require safety features in HGVs until the 2020s, after campaigning by Volvo, etc.? The companies refusing to invest in viable safety equipment should definitely be publicly named and shamed. Also, I think your "safer lorries" isn't ambitious enough: automatic braking technology exists; it's installed in expensive cars today, it will be part of the technology included when lorries are self-driving, and should be the minimum today. [Fred: Yes, and can we highlight how after blocking the safer lorries Volvo is suggesting cyclists are pained in reflective paint, despite most cyclists already being well lit, with reflectors and also often wearing hi-vis. Sounds a lot like Volvo are making a tokenistic gesture which is about public image rather than cyclist safety]
If we had raised cycle paths then lorries/cars would not be able to mount them as they are just like a pavement for pedestrians.
Educate driver and cyclist to use road code.
I cycle to work 4-5 times per week. The element that hardly ever seems to be discussed is cyclist behaviour. A lot needs to be done to make cyclists aware that they should never cycle up the left hand side of an HGV stopped at a junction. The driver may not be signalling or hasn't seen a cyclist move up the inside. It takes two to cause an incident, and whilst I applaud efforts to improve HGVs, that alone only addresses 50% of the problem.
I suggest that there should be a fund to re equip all HGV's with all round vision mirrows.
Who are "Save Our Cyclists"? What are the group's contact details? PS: Please communicate with me via something other than this Google system, to which I have profound political objections... [Fred: Please get in contact via social media as this is currently just run by me and I will contact you. Note that we don't have people's email addresses and can only contact by messaging the whole group via 38degrees]
I was horrified to hear that TFL had only spent a fraction of the annual budget that had been put aside for cycling improvements. They should put an urgent programme of improvements in place this summer, particularly in the accident blackspots such as Elephant & Castle. No pavement widening schemes should be undertaken without segregated cycle paths being included
The verbal fight between drivers in London and cyclists continues. The drivers experience a couple of irresponsible cyclists, and all are tarred with the same brush. Cyclists die - our lives are constant peril - and yet driving habits do not change. Addressing road rage is surely key to part of the problem? I am living currently in a country where there is no road rage - it changes the care we take of each other on the road.
The main focus of the campaign should continue to be on the construction of the cycle super highways and the demand for more separate and protected cycle routes running off the super highways.
Banning HGV vehicles during rush hour seems like one of the best ways to deal with pedestrian and cyclist safely. That's assuming the figures stack up and show most serious accidents/fatalities occur during rush hour. Some proper analysis of the stats is definitely required
As someone who commuted on cycle for many years I think that the 2 things that need to be addressed are :- 1.cyclists jumping Red lights 2. going up the inside of lorries only to discover that they are moving to the right in order to turn Left. The latter is counter intuitive but needs to be learnt by cyclists for their own preservation. I think if we look out for ourselves then less of us will be killed on the road. Michael Clark
Full ban of HGVs during peak travel times.
only lorries with the best available safety kit-mirrors/cameras, side bars etc - should be allowed at any time of day. the disproportionate risk to women is also an important factor. The deaths have to be mentioned, but every effort should be made that they are in context and do not make cycling seem a dangerous means of transport.
I can't see that it's fair or practical to ban HGVs during rush hour, and it doesn't achieve a sustainable and safe network of roads for cyclists at other times of day. Dedicated, separate bike lanes and schemes at junctions seem a better option.
I live in Leighton Buzzard, where the council have gained funding by making the place "cycle friendly". This has been a cynical exercise with some to the provisions being laughable - a stretch of lane pained here/ there and then disappearing. Worse at least one is directly dangerous, directing cyclists the wrong way down a narrow one way street with a blind entrance for cars (they have no hope of seeing a cyclist approaching the junction as they turn in plus a blind bend where cars have no room other than to run over the painted lane. The response to complaints? Paint out the lane at the bend. Guess what - the overpainting has worn away anyway. There is clearly no thought being given to safety - only to financial consequences.
All power to you (us)
Address the misinformation being propogated by some organisations. In my French class today during a discussion, I was informed that the Metropolitan Police attributed 87% of all accidents involving cyclists to the disregard of rules and jumping of red lights by cyclists. I know this to be untrue but need to have the figures before me in order to argue against this gross misrepresentation I was left seething but unable to respond! [Fred: Yes, that's a completely false statistic, I think I might have posted about that on the blog previously. When it comes to fatalities they list errors by the driver twice as often as they list errors by the cyclist on the official road accident reports]
For your first target of 2015, please could you campaign against the misappropriation of Mini-Holland funds by RB Kingston Upon Thames? The current proposals are nothing to do with "Holland" at all and will not improve road safety (perceived or actual). While examples of misspent cycle safety funds on crap (e.g. Bedford Turbo Roundabout) are bad enough, the amount of cash involved here makes it far more egregious.
All bicycle shops should be more pro active and promoting campaign. Also the so called Cyclist campaign groups are very negative and do not think about potential local solutions and do all the above points you are raising. I tried to join my local one maybe 10 years ago and was very disappointed with their response."It was a matter of course that chalk farm road would become a bypass", that was it and no point in trying to lobby council dpt, write petitions, etc... So why bother in the first place, we need dedicated cyclists also in council department who have the jobs to implement changes on the road, otherwise they cannot understand the issues faced by cyclists. All new drivers should have at least a workshop and practice as a cyclist as part of the car licence, some drivers drive so close to cyclists but stop and feel scared when crossing another vehicle. Youngsters need education, take cyclist licence at school! Also responsibility of pedestrians, crossing the roads, no respect for cyclists either... Thank you very much, I really hope we find solutions for everyone to be safe! [Fred: If your local group isn't actively campaigning for the solutions you feel are needed link up with groups on social media like Stop Killing Cyclists and make your case, you might find there are a lot of people like you and people have started groups to ake sure these voices are heard - local groups have no monopoly and in several areas other groups have been started where they felt the local group wasn't good enough]
More education for cyclists not to pull up on the inside of Lorries at traffic lights. Go on outside, or if going left - just wait.
It is crucial to a green world to encourage cycling and walking
The rush-hour ban should be the first step towards a total ban. There should be enough alternative infrastructure options to accommodate central London deliveries - for example, better use of canals.
I would like to see priority given to cyclists turning left. They should be able to turn left on a red (if safe to do so)
Education of cyclists AND drivers to not use mobile phones whilst moving on the road, and concentrate on the job in hand!
the number of cyclists on the roads is growing quickly and there isn't the infrastructure to support this. this needs to be addressed. i would feel much safer being seperated from traffic as recently i have had many drivers being abusive and driving dangerously near or at me.
Any driver who kills a cyclist should be banned from driving for 5 years or life depending on the severity ( that might make them use their mirrors) Any lorry that has been involved in cyclist incident taken off the road for 1 year to make sure it has all the devises on it to make it safe and then it has to be tested within that year to checked to make sure it has been improved.
am in the last few months of an MA degree and would have more time after this. looking at the strategies used by other cycling cities like Vancouver and Seattle goole "How Smart Language Helped End Seattle's Paralyzing Bikelash"
there needs to be ruling that foreign drivers coming over the border are also fitted with proper mirrors as they are far more dangerous- drving much too close, cutting us up- nearly killed me a few months ago- not in rush hour- cycling with lorries in rush hour is probably safer as more cyclists so safety in numbers
No mention of providing training for cyclists. It puzzles me why cyclists insist on overtaking on the inside, coming up along the inside of lorries when they know it's the driver's blindside; cycle after having a drink; persist in using dangerous junctions (my council has provided 6 alternative SAFE cycle routes to get into central London), etc., etc. [Fred: Several people have mentioned this. It's something we voted on last year and wasn't very popular, so I did not include it again. Note that this training is already widely available]
Every local authority to be required to produce a comprehensive cycle path plan covering every main and sub arterial road in their borough. This should start with 'painted on' cycle paths on every one of these roads delineated by a solid white line at least a 1.5 metres wide and with absolutely no gaps in provision. The plan should include a timescale for converting these 'painted on' cycle paths into segregated paths over a realistic timescale, say 20 years. Implementation should be along the lines of the Dutch KROW road engineering guidelines, with engineering based on cultural and psychological understanding of the way in which pedestrians, cyclists and drivers interact, leading to intelligent design of the road and cycle network. All lorry drivers to be required to undertake not just cycle awareness but should be required to cycle on main city roads and take cycle test before being allowed to take an HGV test. Banning 19 year olds from driving HGV lorries (as in the recent Bath case); at least five years of driving cars, cycles and light vehicles before being allowed to take an HGV test. We should beware of thinking that lorry design will obviate 'accidents'. The culture of drivers, particularly waste and construction drivers behaving as 'Kings of the Road', is largely to blame. Severely curtailed speed limits enforced by local authorities on a civil basis rather than the police on a legal basis.
Make sure all local LCC groups know of and support SKC.
Perhaps cyclists can organise to protect themselves. Establish the use of 'Cycling Protection Pods' i.e. groups of cycles grouping as mini peletons on main commutes. These pods could be used in the first place to offer group protection and secondly they could raise the issue of cycle safety as they travel on a daily basis into town. Cycling is a vehicle for social interaction outside tin boxes. Use social media to get things going. :)
There needs to be a fixed protected area on the left at traffic lights where cyclists can wait safely which features a light high up to show lorry drivers that there are people there. also the sensor technology that can be fitted to lorries should be mandatory. I cycled in london for 8 years and i would never ever position myself next to any large vehicle on the road or at the traffic lights. I did it once, had a scare and never did it again. Do cyclists need to have a london license test which can simulate what can happen?
Changes in the law like strict liability would mean insurance companies would force safer HGVs. Other law changes, like allowing cyclists to turn left on red lights, would reduce the probability of cyclists coming into conflict with HGVs. I believe attitude change will be the only way to truly save lives, and only law changes can really change attitudes. https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/strict-liability-law-for-motorists
Lorries should only B allowed into cities between 1 am and 6 am; It's a no-brainer that cycle lanes should have kerb stones (or something) that would prevent motorized vehicles from straying into them. Cycle lanes should not have to be shared with pedestrians; I agree with all the suggestions above but have only ticked 3 as per instruction. Didn't understand how contacting 'a business' supports the campaign. What about leaning hard on Boris and ask WHY he hasn't done anything to make it safer for cyclists? Painting lines on the road doesn't count as it obviously doesn't work and never would have worked since vehicles generally feel they have priority over cyclists (because they are the smallest thing on the road and they don't pay Road Tax).
I support you in all your actions …but … I personally think the campaign should be much wider than a TFL issue … it's also about education, mutual respect between all road and pavement users whist in interacting in public and some very basic road driving education for drivers … I speak as a cyclist, driver and walking user of the pavements around london. There is virtually no give and take, respect and consideration given to others and some driving skill (or lack of) at times are breathtaking … literally!
I think that more money should be put into cyclepaths and other ways of making the roads safer for cyclists.
Cyclist priority at traffic lights and left turn when clear and safe at red traffic lights
Everytime a road is dug up/modified, cycling must be considered. So many roads are getting dug up and re-built, with no bike lanes and no alternatives for bikes (e.g. if there is a bike route parallel or nearby)! It seems to me like the planning of bike infrastructure is very "ad hoc" and needs to be overhauled so that everytime a road is getting re-done, there is a plan: where should cyclists go, if not on this street then where. There is so much money being wasted right now on roads that we will have to re-do/re-design to include cyclists in the near future when cycling levels continue to rise (they will because there are far too many good reasons for riding a bike and people are starting to see this and do something about it).
Although HGVs are very dangerous, coaches (not buses) are incredibly difficult on the roads and seem to have no scheme/ stickers/ training at dealing with cyclists.
I don't agree with segregation. We needs the roads to be safe for all, not closed off so motor traffic can do what it wants safe in the knowledge that cyclists aren't around. This approach makes unsegregated roads even more dangerous and widens the divide between different types of road user. We should be educating all, and removing unsafe vehicles such as HGVs. Company owners and directors should be legally responsible for their vehicles. If a cyclist is killed by an HGV then the company owner is prosecuted for murder. We will soon see businesses want to make their lorries and the roads safer then.
Devise a method of scoring councils for safe cycling facilities and initiatives and publish an annual league table.
i don't think an urgent review would do anything productive and it would just drop off the media agenda.
We need to Save Ourselves also - I think we have to make sure we take some responsibility too, to make the driver community come along with us. For example, I'm shocked by the number of young cyclists who wear all black - even at night, and rely on a light only. One said to me when questioned, that he 'liked the look of his black cycling clothes' and wouldn't change them for Hi Viz.
Why isn't it compulsory for every cyclist to have a lamp on the bicycle? Why don't cyclists think that is important? As a driver at night (or even as a pedestrian crossing a street) cyclists are often invisible in the dark until the last nerve-wracking moment. As so many cyclists ride at night without a lamp, I'm inclined to think them irresponsible. I wonder if that lack of care extends to their cycling in general. [Fred: Actually it is compulsory and the police do stop and fine people for riding without it]
I also think councils should enforce current 10 mph limits which seems to be more of a voluntary choice at the moment. The authorities should also come down harder on those using mobile phones when driving and not indicating!
Bicycle awareness should be made a compulsory element of learning to drive - rights, safety More campaigning should be done to raise awareness among drivers around rights and safety of cyclists.
Not sure how you overcome it, but one of the key forces behind these deaths is piece-work. The HGV driver has a financial interest in travelling quickly, taking short cuts (literally and metaphorically) driving through residential estates. etc
Lobby for advanced cyclist detection to be fitted to all HGV’s – Cameras, sensors and guards.
Make wearing helmets for cyclists a legal requirement
require people applying for drivers license to answer questions about cycling safety.
I am a keen cyclist and commute to work by bike. I think we also need to address poor cycling, get our house in order, and create an environment of all cyclists following best practice - helmets, lights, hi-vis clothing, stopping at red lights etc. When non-cyclists see someone cycling irresponsibly it creates an excuse not to address the real problems of serious cycling accidents; inconsiderate driving, uneven road surfaces and dangerous junctions.
Canpaign for cycle lanes physically separated from roads as in Copenhagen, Paris etc
I also think there should be better education of cyclists. A very small minority show scant regard for other road users and in some cases pedestrians.
Lobby the Secretary of State for Education to make cycle training part of the primary curriculum to educate future cyclists.
I believe that cycling lanes should be raised away from the traffic in the same ways as pavements are. In addition some quiet London Roads should be used only for cycling and no motor vehicles should be allowed. We should have safe cycle lanes raised like a pavement next to quiet roads to minimise the traffic fumes inhaled by cyclists because is very unhealthy to breathe traffic fumes and air pollution while they are exercising by driving their bicycles.
Would also be good to campaign for the design of lorry cabs to be changed with bigger windows and the driver sat lower down etc, so drivers have better visibility, similar to dustcarts.
L3 bikeability for all secondary school children where we discus potential hazards In a controlled ride. Teach them safe skills at an age it will stay with them forever. Make it compulsory and free for all. Valuable insight for children to see the dangers and then learn how to avoid them. Small groups of 2/3 children In built up urban areas. They won't forget.
Demand that all lorries driven in London have all-round visibility with no blind spots. This can be achieved through LCC's safer lorries design, or by fitting cameras.
Positive steps need to be taken to reduce/remove risks to cyclists and get this message across to the public,as well as those with power to bring that about.
Keep up the excellent work.
The problem with HGVs is largely that of their drivers. Many are paid per delivery, so they tear about with scant regard for other road users; they drive carelessly, or at too-fast speeds; turn without indicating or taking the time to double-check their mirrors; they bear down on bike riders who are perceived as being 'in the way'. Your campaign should focus on the drivers of these vehicles and those who utilise their services. For instance, how much training are the drivers given? How many are foreign nationals unfamiliar with London and it's cycling culture? How many are paid per delivery (which encourages speeding) and who benefits from this system aside from the drivers? What has been the increase in the number of HGVs over the past 5 years ? If these vehicles were forced to make deliveries outside the normal hours of say 7am - 7pm, who would lose out (big construction firms, wealthy landowners and property developers: many of whom have influence with those who propose laws and regulations perhaps)? I make these observations having ridden 300miles+ per week, in central London, for the past 5 years.
I missed today's protest but last year managed to attend most of the big protests and to publish videos of them on Youtube. I think media action is very important.
Gaining a full understanding of why not even half of the cycling budget was spent by the mayor last year should be a priority
I think HGV's should have dedicated routes in and out of London (to building sites in particular). Tfl could then provide info on quiet routes for cyclists accordingly. Permits should also be required for accessing these routes, this would prevent lorries from driving through London unecessarily.
I'm a CTC Right2Ride Campaigner, so want to liaise with the authorities about improving infrastructure and, particularly, increasing the police presence on our roads. CTC/Road Justice research shows a shocking decline in the numbers of police enforcing the Highway Code, which is reflected in the truly appalling driving seen by all cyclists every single FREAKING day!
Make London the other cities in UK cycle friendly ... cycle lanes, double mirrors on both side of lorries.
From my experience of cycling so many issues from drivers who just don't understand how vulnerable a cyclist is. Part of the issue is the 'us' and 'them' syndrome - drivers hate cyclists and vice versa. If drivers (presumably those who don't cycle as well) had a better understanding of the cycling experience and changed their driving habits accordingly then the world be a hell of a lot safer. Here's what I would concentrate on: 1. Do not ignore a cyclists signal - if a cyclist is signalling to turn right allow them to filter and make the turn - don't think you can put your foot down and make it past them. 2. Always leave a safe zone - at least a metre when passing on the right, at least two metres (preferably three) when approaching from behind. 3. Don't just rely on your mirror when turning left - take a look - especially when turning left across a bus lane 4. Respect the traffic light cycle zone 5. Just think how intimidating a ton of car can be if you have nothing between you and the tarmac but a plastic helmet and some lycra.
Set up participatory workshops between transport planners and cyclists to work out innovative ways to lay out roads and make them safer for cyclists - to make cyclists FEEL safer as well.
Lobby London Mayor Boris Johnson
"Ban HGVs from the rush hour and make them deliver early in the morning or during the day" would be a quick and relatively simple campaign to go for first. There are clear achievable aims and, compared to altering infrastructure, it would be cheaper, quicker and easier for TfL to enact i.e. they've got fewer reasons to say no. I cycle through the City of London and towards London Bridge every day, which is an area with high cyclist and pedestrian traffic. There are numerous building projects going on in this area that create a lot of HGV traffic. This is especially problematic as the roads are very narrow and bus traffic is high. It may be worth pushing for redistribution centres around there or time restrictions for HGVs. It might be helpful to team up with pedestrian safety campaigns as HGVs cause many pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Junctions are a problem, so teaming up with someone like Collideoscope (http://collideosco.pe/) to identify problem junctions may help the campaign push for safer infrastructure. A common argument against dedicated cycle infrastructure is that it would take up too much space. Ironically bikes take up much less space than HGVs, so perhaps a really simple picture campaign of the amount of space a bike takes up vs the amount of space a HGV takes up would be effective. It could be shared on social media and would be easy for people to understand. Other stats about the negative impact of HGV traffic e.g. fatalities, pollution etc. could be incorporated into the images rather like an infographic.
The first two of your options are impossible or counter productive. You can't ban HGV's from the rush hour as businesses open during normal business hours and are still travelling between destinations at other times. ASL's are a very effective tool in challenging motorists perceptions of cyclists and are a first step towards improving junction safety. A deserved campaign though, good luck. [Fred: I've tried to include a variety of options to find out what people are thinking and get ideas and opinions. It's important we explore options fully and don't reject ideas just because they're not easy]
Sadly, at the moment I can do nothing as, although an everyday cyclist, I live in Phnom Penh, Cambodia....
reduce/ban private cars being used by commuters in central London congestion charge zone in rush hour, to provide more road space for essential users, eg taxis, buses, delivery vehicles including HGVs, and cyclists
Billboard and other poster campaigns to alert cyclists of the danger of cycling on the inside of large vehicles.
Well done thanks for your work!
I am in complete agreement with the notion that something needs to be done about this terrible state of affairs but, ALL parties need to take responsibility for their actions. As a motorcyclist/car driver/HGV driver AND cyclist, one definite part of the problem is the cyclist! What would possess a cyclist to travel so close to a turning/manoeuvring HGV or bus/coach? I see enough risk taking by cyclists that I wonder that there are any left on the roads. By all means prosecute inattentive DRIVERS but, the amount of cyclists prosecuted for riding through RED LIGHTS - especially at places such as Bow flyover - beggars belief. SOME cyclists definitely don't comply with road rules - so don't automatically assume that "something needs to be done about HGV's" when cyclists themselves are a big part of the problem!
Thank you for all the work you are doing.
I strongly support the second of your campaign options – physical improvements to roads. Cyclists in cities such as Copenhagen (with admittedly a fraction of the buses as London) can successfully use quite narrow lanes if they are protected from the rest of the road by a raised kerb.
Raise awareness about avoidable fatalities on the roads and encourage public support for better measures to protect cyclists. Particularly using other exemplary European countries like Holland to showcase how effectively their roads protect cyclists.
increase number of ASL's in whole of London
The immense quantity of site traffic has to be dealt with. At present, it's totally unmonitored as far as I can see.
Given a forth choice for Q.1 I'd pick "Lobby TfL and the mayor to provide start up funding for 50 cargo bike delivery hubs across London" because businesses sometimes need to be shown there are alternatives, and to have those alternatives made available. As for protesting, I would be reluctant to take part in an A-B march,/ride because it's very easy to ignore those, but direct action can be much more effective.
The CTC reports research among lorry drivers, and one issue was design of safety features for HGVs. Obviously more appropriate mirrors and/or appropraitely placed TV cameras on the vehicles. Also, better side protection on the lorries. Recently, travelling by car on a motorway, I looked at HGVs. On some, though nowhere enough, there are side panels extending down far enough to push a cyclist or pedestrian sideways if (s)he is unfortunate to on the close LHS while the vehicle turns to the left - this is one of the most liekly positgions for a fatality. Thisd could ber mandated for all lorries over a certain tonnage using urban roads Have you contacted CTC?
Thanks for all your efforts. Keep up the good work!
One thing that needs to be addressed is the design of lorries - why is the cab so high up that the driver's visibility is so restricted? I am told that on building sites it is necessary to avoid splashes of mud, etc., but that represents a very small percentage of the vehicles' use. Buses are big vehicles too and don't kill nearly as many cyclists as HGVs do. Perhaps TFL should impose a ban on certain types of HGVs that are perceived as dangerous to other road users, not just cyclists.
limited hours of operation for HGVs in London and other cities or towns should be madatory. For example, no HGVs allowed between the hours of 07:00 and 10:00 AM or between the hours of 17:00 and 20:00
Figures released regarding injuries as well as deaths in accidents involving cars, vans and hgv as well as other cyclists
Promoting cycling safety to cyclists who do not currently wear helmets and or have lights, enforce laws; helmets save lives too
Make separate cycle lanes for cyclists, away from cars. It is the future.
I am a city bike rider, but I do not always like the direction of these campaigns. They cannot always be 'want, want, want!'. Cyclists need to give something themselves. I have seen some dreadful driving in my time, but I have also seen some very selfish riding. Cyclists gamble with their own lives, pedestrian's lives and those of their fellow cyclists everyday. For every bad HGV driver there are many more bad cyclists. It is just the truth. I received two simple words of advice from a colleague when I started cycling in London. Beware pot holes and avoid HGVs. I have never over/under taken a large vehicle until it was 100 % safe. Patience is everything when you are cycling in the city. If cyclists are prepared to take safety seriously, then the HGV companies may be more prepared to listen.
All of the choices seem to suggest that the fault lies solely with the HGV operators, drivers, the councils, the mayor, the infrastructure, etc. Addressing these is going to help me become safer because I ride defensively and with the intention of reaching my destination alive & well. There is no suggestion here to attack the problem of cyclists that still feel the need to sneak up the left of a stationary HGV and generally ride irresponsibly. Even worse are the naive cyclists who simply have no idea that certain manouvres on the road will place them in such grave danger! It's time that we stopped acting as cyclists against the world (and vice versa) and started looking at ALL of the problems resulting in these tragic and unnecessary deaths!
Publicity campaign to insist that ALL cyclists use lights, wear helmets, proper cycling clothing or clothing that at least allows physical movement and is not destabilising. So very many cyclists (especially since teh advent of the 'Boris bike' cycle without helmets and women are very often seen in dresses, skirts, sandals or even stilettos!! Cyclists who dress inappropriately endanger not only themselves but others. Nobody in the cycling community is saying this but it is a real issue and does need drawing attention to.
Ban Lorries with blind spots. If the lorries cannot see cyclists to the sides and front of their vehicles, their mirrors aren't sufficient. It's that simple.
It occurred to me that the dangerous junctions could be temporarily modified by the use of those weighty, sand filled pyramid thingies that are used to block off roads. If separated cycle lanes are the answer to cutting down lorry related deaths than surely these could be created more or less immediately with those pyramid things.
The issue between motorists and cyclist is deeply routed and needs to be addressed at the infancy of people's driving life. People need to understand why cyclist ride in the positions of the road that they do and how to manouvre around them safely, that more cyclists = less traffic and face the fact that in London a cyclist will generally get there quicker than they will. Given that major infrastuctre changes are slow to happen and some of the ones in place are utterly useless (i.e. bike lanes adjoining to parking bays) these changes in attitude are needed urgently. Until they do more cyclist will continue to die on our streets; all because they have dared to go from A to B on their bike.
Make TfL pay £1m to next-of-kin of all cyclists killed on London roads.
I've been signing petitions, sending e-mails, answering surveys for what seems like years, but see so little actual change out on the roads which makes cycling safer and more accessible to more people. Until the UK, especially big cities like London begin to have the same genuine commitment to prioritising serious cycling infrastructure etc etc etc as far more forward looking countries like the Netherlands, Denmark etc have already done years ago, people will continue to die and be injured and many people will still consider cycling to be far too dangerous a choice for getting to A to B The UK is so far behind ...........
Thanks for the good work you are dong on behalf of cyclists
I agree that more can be done to improve road safety for cyclists, but I think we should put more emphasis on how cyclists behave on the road as well. We, as cyclists, have to be careful! Too many of us seem to think that road rules don't apply to us, crossing with red lights, cycling past lorries without thinking the driver MIGHT NOT SEE us, ignoring signs... etc. I'm a cyclist and I feel sooo sad for every single accident that occur to each one of us. I'm sure that all the cyclists perished in these recent accidents didn't have any fault and that road improvements would have saved their lives, but I also think that a better education on how to drive and cycle would do a great good to all of us.
There should be lobbying to introduce early phase starts at traffic lights for cyclists and also there should be changes in the law that mean drivers always have some responsibility in an accident with cyclists (both of these measures are part of what they have in Holland and help in the overall picture)
Not sure who this group 'we' is and where you fit in within the campaigning groups LCC, CTC, Living Streets, Stop Killing Cyclists, RoadPeace, Traffic Justice Alliance etc. Good range of campaigns planned by 'we'. Obviously a huge amount not covered by survey such as restricting of rat running especially HGVs, last mile delivery strategies, restricting HGV routes; safer HGV design; enforcement of current regulations; etc.
I'm supportive of this but many of the things are less relevant to this campaign as I don't live in London.
I don't live in London but the same applies in other cities. You could make this a national campaign.
I find the longer the HGV (yes I do mean longer, though it tends to go with tonnage), the better the driving round cyclists. Is it not the case that you need more qualiifcations to drive longer, larger vehicles? So the relationship between level of driver training and experience and the type of vehicle they are permitted to drive may currently be inadequate for busy urban streets.
Supporting presumed liability And seeking better policing/prosecuting of our roads.
Beware. The lorry lobby is spending much money on convincing that lorry deaths are because either (a) cyclists' faults - being in wrong place or (b) too difficult to drive a lorry safely. This is not true - we have all seen many instances of lorry drivers behaving carelessly and recklessly. It is this which is causing deaths, not the excuses presented in the hauliage lobby's propaganda.
With changes in road safety must come changes in cyclists' practices. I am concerned at the risks fellow cyclists take every day
I'm not really sure what would be most effective, I'm responding based on other campaigns I've seen. I think we need more dedicated cycle lanes and cycle routes all over London.
Don't just look at fatalities, but also serious injuries, otherwise any research would be limited. Keep up the good work!
Enough is enough. There have been plenty of meeting, proposals and protests and not enough being done. Action needs to start taking place and with immediate effect.
The cyclist are increasing in number and we should have support from the government to make our roads safer as cycling is the future to save our environment and keep us fit to reduce the NHS bill
focus also should be on lobbying to police/councils to enfore indirect procedures that will protect cyclists, e.g. 20mph which so many motorists ignore where prescribed as not enforced, parking on cycling lanes where evading the parked car leads to dangerous situations etc.
Drivers need to be aware that turning left requires indication and to check to see if it's clear. This should be enforceable
I'm from Bristol and we are seeing Segregated cycle lanes in places, but it needs a concerted national programme/policy for us to get anywhere near what the danes/Swees/Dutch have. We should be looking at Scandinavia and following their model.
Traffic free cycle tracks are the real way forward. We can share companionably with pedestrians where both are welcomed so long as all users are considerate….
Creating momentum for delivery by cargo bikes - and public antipathy to automatic delivery by mega-truck - is a fantastic idea.
I have recently moved from London to Bristol so am unable to attend a protest in London and my local councillors and MP are not appropriate contacts for this. You have my full support however, the cyclist killed on the South Circular in Dulwich in 2014 was a close friend's colleague, and I grew up around that area so know that road well. I cycled across London for many years and regularly took my life in my hand with buses and HGVs who seem to throw their weight around on the road. I believe there are simple preventative measures such as better mirrors & sensors for vehicles, compulsory cycling education for all HGV and bus drivers (so that they can see it from the other side) and better education to cyclists about taking the priority position and awareness of vehicle blind spots. I would be more than happy to contact businesses on behalf of this campaign.
I'm an avid cyclist and passionate about safety, but the times that the live protests happen are always inconvenient - I'm sure others are in the same position.
The second option above from the campaigning priorities would be my next choice - i.e. lobbying councils to sign up to the LCC's safer lorry pledge.
Control the speed of the HGVs to the maximum of 20 miles/hour.
If this doesn't happen already, I think it should be standard practice that HGV learners are given a significant amount of instruction/tuition re.safety of other road users and especially cyclists. Also HGV drivers who may have been driving for years should be periodically re-tested with an emphasis on safety. A lot of cyclists are fairly ignorant about basic safe cycling on city roads and many (those who don't drive especially) don't appreciate things like driver's blind spots (especially the high position of driver's cabs in HGVs). I think it's essential that ALL cyclists are given adequate information about safe cycling and THIER responsibility for their contribution to their own and others' safety. Sadly, given the number of cyclists and the density of traffic in cities and as long as both forms of transport are sharing the same roads, I fear there will continue to be accidents and fatalities. I speak as both a motorist and a cyclist.
I am often overseas at present, so difficult to help. Am still a London cyclist whenever I return!
Vehicle manufacturers to be required to implement cyclist safety design features
research into infra red sensors to be fitted near blind spots
I am a cyclist & steer clear of lorries even stop when lorries are slow down. I am saddened by the deaths of cyclists who just want to live life to the full by cycling.My deepest condolences to the families & friends who have lost loved ones who cycled. Random drug tests & alcohol tests on Lorry Drivers may identify those who go unnoticed. "I killed a cyclist" on lorries who have done this.To name & shame the company.
I don't cycle but I know a lot of people who do. It would also help to encourage cyclists to cycle carefully ie don't jump the lights, wear helmets and visible clothing.
This is one of my pets. I was at the die in tonight and have been involved in many of the protest and support groups since their inception LCC/Stop Killing Cyclists/Sustrans in the UK and in Holland.
I did a free police training session where you get to sit in the cab of an HGV to experience what they can and cannot see first hand. Was an eye opener. Should do more of those for cyclists across London, especially targeting non-native cyclists to London (seems a disproportionate number of cyclists killed are not from London so don't understand the risks fully). [Fred: I've also sat in the cab and would encourage anyone to take that opportunity if they have it]
As a daily cyclist in central London for 10 years and one who has been the victim of a serous crash that was not my fault, but yet one that I could have avoided with more knowledge, I believe not enough is being done to educate cyclists in practical road safety and reasonable expectation of on-road conduct by other road users. As I mentioned above I think the govt. should fund a free but mandatory cycling licence for all cyclists in central London. Many have no idea of how to cycle safely and this knowledge is crucial for all road users.
Stop urban traffic and create cycle only roads into and out of London in peak hours. It is wrong that we have to fight people in metal boxes to get out tiny bit of space on the road.
I also think should have more action to increase cyclist awareness of the dangers. I am much more wary of blind spots now and do not go alongside a lorry unless really sure that it won't move while I pass it. Also I try to be sure that I am visible in their mirror.
More needs to be done about some of the major concessions made on the E/W and N/S superhighways, in the face of overwhelming support for them as they were - particularly on Thames St where they mean moving the proposed protected cycle lanes onto the pavements
Just to repeat - HGVs can come to the periphery of London only. They are killers and the drivers are clearly not of the brightest. HGVs should onload their wares into smaller vans then go back where they came from.
All HGV lorries to have vocal vehicle turning announcements so cyclist can hear as well as see! Also further awareness for cyclist to know the dangers of passing these vehicles on the left at anytime!
You need to join with the See Me Save Me campaign. We have great profile and respect within the construction industry. We know where changes need to be made but we have no resources. Please can we work together?
Could you use available funding and internal expertise (members with relevant skills willing to give free time) to create a mini documentary on the topic of cyclist deaths since 2000 which can be posted on youtube, say no more than 5mins. If you hit the right tone that resonates with the public then general support will grow across London and the UK which in turn helps put pressure on businesses and local government to do something...Am thinking about how successful this approach has been for some other good causes such as Virunga, albeit on a much larger scale. I still think cyclists are a relatively small group to force change alone...it would be good to get the general public on board (a lot of whom I believe feel quite ambivalent about cyclists).
Block rat runs and 20mph limit imposed across London inside the M25. I see tipper trucks, skip lorries and scaffold wagons rat running the whole time
Segregated cycles lanes from housing estates to schools, connecting to shops and leisure facilities. GLA to enforce the zero car parking in new build housing
Abolish 'piece-work' for drivers of all kinds removing incentives to hurry or speed
allow more left turns where rest of traffic can only go straight
At junctions have a phased light system so that cyclists can set off first and be seen
Ban companies from paying HGV drivers by the load - pay by the hour instead would save drivers taking risks rushing from job to job
Better cycle training and publicity to stop cyclists riding on the left of HGVs
Block rat runs and 20mph limit imposed across London I see tipper trucks skip lorries and scaffold wagons rat running the whole time
Campaign against the "Cyclist stay clear" tfl yellow stickers on vehicles - it's not ok to run people over because you have a sticker These stickers are used like permission for manslaughter
campaign for lorries to have some sort of sidings so cyclists are not pulled underneath The same accident with a bus would not be fatal as we can put our arms out / are not dragged under and chewed up as happens with lorries
campaign for mirrors to be installed at many many more junctions
Campign to improve education for both cyclists and lorry drivers (I'm a cyclists but I've seen to many cyclists putting themselves at risk on the road!)
Change the law so that in any RTA involving a cyclist the motorist is always assumed to be at fault until proven otherwise
Changes in the law like strict liability would mean insurance companies would force safer HGVs
Cheap insurance for cyclists
Clearer and safer (less potholes/ drains) on-road cycleways with a space between the road if possible (cycleways on paths are too often useless due to their short length or lots of obstacles Priorities should be given to cyclists over all vehicles and this should be enforced for everyone's safety
compel the budget of 50 million set aside to make roads safer for cyclists to be spent Boris Johnson admitted it had not all been spent A no brainer
Councils need to build protected cycle facilities BUT there needs to be fair funding for this Some Councils will have more some less
create more bike lanes where they are physically separated in some way from the pavement and the road and disallow any vehicles to ride on it
Have cycles have their own separate traffic lights to work ahead of road users
create safe bike paths
Cyclist driver education
cyclists need to be taken as seriously as cars (or more so) on all counts but how that is done in a world run by money obsessed morons is beyond me
Develop a proper network of cycle super highways
draw awareness to cyclists to perform all necessary actions such as hand sign jestures and not cycling in the middle of the lane etc I personally witness lots of cyclists not following those points and creating danger to themselves as well as the drivers [Fred - Cycling in the middle of the lane is actually the recommended position]
Driver awareness campaign
Educate all drivers in the rights of cyclists on the road
educate cyclists how to deal with lorries
educate cyclists not to undertake slow vehicles at junctions
existing cycle lanes should be raised so that they become part of the pavement In Germany cyclist travel on wide pavements let's implement this in the UK
Finance infrastructure change for all the above
focus on regulating lorry drivers - huge no are unlicensed or banned
focus the campaign on the makers of the lorries the companies who use them and the drivers It needs to call this phenomenon out as what it is - murder: this is what worked in the Netherlands
Form protests in rush hour in the mornings that finish at 8am - more people can attend as they can control their day at that time - in the evenings is not as effective as it could be
fund a free but mandatory cycling licence for cyclists in london many have no idea of how to cycle safely and this knowledge is crucial for all road users
Get the police to enforce road safety legislation
Give cyclists priority the same as in Denmark/Copenhagen
Have a signal to announce a lorry turning left
HGV design -mirrors/cctv?
HGVs are all killers and none should be allowed into London They need to stop transfer their load to smaller vans then go back for more This would be good for employment
increase congestion charges; increase public transport
Install cameras to film what is really happening out there and use that to inform policy - without a sufficient body of empirical evidence policy-making is guesswork These cameras could also be used to actually enforce the current rules that are so systematically flouted
Introduce presumed liability laws as on the continent
Lobby businesses to switch to vehicles meeting CLOCs best standard
Lobby councils and TfL to increase funding for transport police so there is more policing of unsafe driving -jumping amber/red lights; not indicating; etc as these are often factors involved
Lobby for advanced cyclist detection to be fitted to all HGV’s – Cameras, sensors and guards
Lobby for the understanding that careless and reckless driving cannot be tolerated by society as it is now and will be prosecuted in all cases
Lobby Met police to enforce road safety laws such as speed limits mobile phone use etc more rigorously
Lobby TFL (and other local government transport depts) to introduce mandatory cyclist awareness training for all HGV drivers in order to be allowed to operate in large cities Compulsory repetition of this training every time an HGV driver is involved in a cyclist collision Targeting of this awareness training towards those freight companies which have the worst accident record
Lobby Tfl/mayor to spend their full fund allotment on cycle safety
lobby the judiciary to use the charge of corporate manslaughter against TfL and Councils
look at providing a safer infrastructure for cyclists - segregated lanes ability to avoid busy roads
make quiet cycle routes priority for cyclists with signage telling drivers they are entering a cycle route
make sites co-ordinate skip lorry and aggregate lorry traffic - currently there is no co-ordination - I've counted 0-odd aggregate lorries on the Southwark Bridge Road and the Bloomberg site manager on the other side of the bridge said there is no co-operation between sites
Mandatory mods to vehicles (side bars cameras etc); fast track legislation to introduce low-cab vehicles only for London streets; Oblige the HSE to investigate HGV accidents resulting in death or serious injury
More publicity needed to cyclists to avoid these dangerous situations
More signals and road reminders
more space at front of junctions or bicycle lights before traffic lights
More traffic police to stop drivers from texting or calling while they drive
need to also target foreign hgvs as they are way more dangerous
New ways to educate non-regular cyclists about the imminent danger of HGVs Maybe more informed road signs/reminders tailored for cyclists rather than just cars (ie Cyclists - caution of HGVs turning left here) Often these incidents are blameless because the driver can't see the cyclist and vice versabut giving more advise to cyclists about how to position themselves on that particular road could help them see danger before it's actually danger
Offer free training/advice for cyclists How many have passed or remember their cycling proficiency?
Passenger side of cab to have exterior mirror to show side of HGV when a cyclist may be there
people on bicycles need completely separate roadways
Promote road-awareness training to cyclists - this has saved my neck so many times
Provide safe green cycle lanes around London schools
Publicise cycle training and asking cyclists not to sit by the kerb or cycle up inside a stopped lorry.
Put pressure on construction industry to change remuneration procedures for drivers - piece work offers incentive to drive faster
The prompt mending of pot holes [Fred: Agreed - also please report these, there are several apps like this one]
TV adverts to highlight dangers (like 'Think Bike' adverts)
Use existing data to recommend a minimum safety standard for lorries (This could include working hours limits for drivers) Ban HGVs that do not reach the standard from the rush hour

Other responses for "how could you support the campaign?"

Create awareness by attending the 'Critical Mass' ride
e-mail the Mayor
I am going to try to encourage the Churches in London to declare support for and adopt the aims of SOS
Join See Me Save Me
Plan promote and lead flash-rides to publicise the campaigns [Fred: Stop Killing Cyclists are doing that in London and we'll continue to support those, I've seen other groups around the UK using similar tactics too]
Support and design cycle safety education classes

SAVE OUR CYCLISTS

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

Supporter Survey 2015 - Responses

What should we campaign on in 2015?

How could you support the campaign?

Suggestions for 'What should we campaign on in 2015'?

Suggestions and Feedback:

Other responses for "how could you support the campaign?"

Sunday, 19 April 2015

Vigil tomorrow evening by Lambeth Bridge

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