Thank You

Dear Friends,

Thank you

It has now been nine months without a cyclist being killed by a HGV - a stark contrast to the first half of 2015 which saw seven cyclists killed by lorries. This pause would not have happened without the increased focus on safety in response demands for safety improvements, and every supporter of this campaign played their part in making that happen.

We have shown that progress is possible and fatalities are not inevitable, but there is much more which needs to be done [1] - Stop Killing Cyclists have called on the Cycling Minister Robert Goodwill to urgently extend the London requirements for HGV mirrors nationally to protect cyclists all over the UK [2].

In London we now have several mayoral candidates and parties committed to expanding protected space for cycling, showing that many of our politicians believe in the need for safe cycling for all Londoners.

I won't be emailing again before the election, but a reminder that Stop Killing Cyclists' protest is this evening (Wednesday) in central London, the die-in is from 6pm (speeches from 5:30pm) - please attend if you can.

Thank you again for your support,


Fred


P.s. Thanks to everyone who contributed to our #SaveOurCyclists Twitter campaign, if you haven't there's still time to get involved - simply share your own messages using #SaveOurCyclists.

---

[1] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/nine-months.html
[2] https://www.facebook.com/groups/stopkillingcyclists/permalink/1710065762577662/

You helped keep cyclists safe this winter

Dear Friends,

Thank you

It has now been nine months without a cyclist being killed by a HGV - a stark contrast to the first half of 2015 which saw seven cyclists killed by lorries. This pause would not have happened without the increased focus on safety in response demands for safety improvements, and every supporter of this campaign played their part in making that happen.

We have shown that progress is possible and fatalities are not inevitable, but there is much more which needs to be done [1] - Stop Killing Cyclists have called on the Cycling Minister Robert Goodwill to urgently extend the London requirements for HGV mirrors nationally to protect cyclists all over the UK [2].

In London we now have four candidates supporting protected space for cycling: @CarolinePidgeon @SianBerry @SophieRunning and @SadiqKhan have committed to safe cycling and protected lanes in London. @ZacGoldsmith hasn't

Whoever the mayor is, the London Assembly is crucial to ensure cycling and road safety never slip down the agenda. Every vote counts for the London-wide Assembly Members (the orange voting form) - Please consider using your London-wide Assembly Member vote to support a party which champions cycling.

Finally, Stop Killing Cyclists' protest is on Wednesday in central London, the die-in is from 6pm (speeches from 5:30pm) - please attend if you can.

Thank you again for your support,


Fred

P.s. Thanks to everyone who has already contributed to our #SaveOurCyclists Twitter campaign, if you haven't there's still time to get involved! Simply share your own messages using #SaveOurCyclists.

---

[1] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/nine-months.html - this post contains (distressing) details of non-fatal collisions.
[2] https://www.facebook.com/groups/stopkillingcyclists/permalink/1710065762577662/

Who will keep London's cyclists safe?

Dear Friends,

Our next mayor could make or break cycling in London.

We need the next mayor to support the construction of high quality cycling infrastructure, not just completing all the planned Cycle Superhighways but building protected cycle lanes in all parts of London.

Many people have taken up cycling after hard won improvements bought in under Boris - even though half his schemes have not yet been completed. Protected cycle lanes are key to allowing more people to cycle in safety and it is clear there is huge demand these lanes.

"I’ll rip up London’s cycle superhighways if they don’t work"

The candidates are split, with some talking against protected cycle lanes or suggesting they might withdraw support for the Cycle Superhighways [1].

#SaveOurCyclists

We need to highlight the demand for protected lanes and put pressure on the candidates to support them. Please join our new Twitter campaign:

1. Write tweets to candidates using the hashtag #SaveOurCyclists - Ask them to commit to protected cycle lanes, support a scheme you care about or highlight a good policy: @ZacGoldsmith, @SadiqKhan, @CarolinePidgeon, @sianberry

2. See what others are posting here for inspiration & re-tweeting!

3. Use or adapt our ready made tweets:

• @ZacGoldsmith Please support protected cycle lanes and commit to completing & extending the Cycle Superhighways programme #SaveOurCyclists
• @SadiqKhan Please support protected cycle lanes and commit to completing and extending the programme of Cycle Superhighways #SaveOurCyclists
• @CarolinePidgeon supports protected cycling "I want to carry on the cycle superhighways – even the controversial bits”  #SaveOurCyclists
• @sianberry on protected lanes: “I’d put new segregated cycling infrastructure top of the list for new investment plans” #SaveOurCyclists

4. On the 27th April Stop Killing Cyclists are organising an air #PollutionProtest outside the Department for Transport in Westminster. They are demanding action to tackle motor vehicle emissions and increased funding for cycling across the UK - please join us if you can [2].

Thanks again for your support and please share this with any friends you think would be interested.

Kind regards,


Fred

@FredBikeLondon

P.s. If you are not on Twitter please email the candidates and copy us in!

---
[1] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/who-will-give-us-safe-cycling.html
[2] https://www.facebook.com/events/1124784950872843/

Safer Lorries Consultation - Respond today!

Dear Friends,

TfL's consultation on Safer Lorries needs your support!

Last year, seven out of the nine cyclist fatalities in London involved lorries.

TfL are now proposing that HGV's should be fitted with extra vision panels in the passenger door so the driver can see adjacent road users. This will reduce the 'left hook' collisions which have resulted in many cyclist and pedestrian fatalities.

The consultation includes two options:

• Option A - Differential road charging to encourage higher vision lorries
• Option B - Restricting non-compliant vehicles (a ban or partial ban)

A full ban would be most effective to keep dangerous lorries off our streets. A partial ban would shift danger to those cycling outside restricted times. Limiting lorries to so called 'safer routes' would inevitably mean allowing dangerous HGVs to mix with cyclists due to the lack of continuously segregated routes in London.

Respond to the consultation here - takes less than 5 minutes.

Stop Killing Cyclists are challenging the London mayoral candiates to implement 10 cycle safety measures by 2020, including ending HGV blind spots and other measures to reduce the danger from HGVs. You can read more about the 10by2020 here, and read responses from the candidates here. There will be more campaigning in the run up to the mayoral election, so watch this space!

Please support these measures and encourage friends to do the same.

Kind regards,


Fred


---
[1] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/call-on-mayor-and-gla-to-end-lorry.html
[2] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/our-2015-demands-reviewing-mayors.html

Safer Lorries Consultation

Dear Friends,

TfL consultation on Safer Lorries needs your support!

Last year seven out of nine cyclist fatalities in London involved lorries. Improving lorry safety was one of our four demands.

TfL are now proposing that HGV's should be fitted with extra vision panels in the passenger door so the driver can see adjacent road users. This may reduce the 'left hook' collisions which have resulted in many cyclist and pedestrian fatalities.

The consultation includes two options:

• Option A - Differential road charging to encourage higher vision lorries
• Option B - Restricting non-compliant vehicles (a ban or partial ban)

A full ban would be most effective to keep dangerous lorries off our streets. A partial ban would shift danger to those cycling outside restricted times. Limiting lorries to so called 'safer routes' would inevitably mean allowing dangerous HGVs to mix with cyclists due to the lack of continuously segregated routes.

Respond to the consultation here.

Please support these measures and encourage friends to do the same.

Kind regards,


Fred


P.s. These measures have been bought forward in response to cross party pressure from members of the London Assembly. In particular, this campaign has been taken up by Darren Johnson, Caroline Pidgeon and Andrew Boff. In the run up the London election we will be looking to hear from all parties (and independents) about their plans for cycle safety - if you're a representative we'd love you to get in touch, just reply to this email!

---
[1] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/call-on-mayor-and-gla-to-end-lorry.html
[2] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/our-2015-demands-reviewing-mayors.html

Protest outside Transport for London this Friday

Dear Friends,

I'm writing to you to alert you to a GLA funded organisation called London Travel Watch who claim to represent cyclists' while actively campaigning against protected space for cycling.

London Travel Watch pitch themselves as the 'voice of London's transport users', and identify cyclists as one of the groups they speak for, but advocate polices most cyclists are specifically opposed to. We feel this is totally inappropriate, however few cyclists have even heard of this organisation so we wanted to let you know. Details and links to their policies are here.

We need to send a message that most cyclists want protected space for cycling. If you're able, please join Stop Killing Cyclists' protest this Friday on Blackfriars Road to support real cycle campaigners and demand protected cycling.

No More Coffins Protest - Friday from 5 pm - 6:30 pm

Kind regards,

Fred

London Assembly votes to End Lorry Danger

Dear Friends,

Our call for the Mayor to End Lorry Danger is gaining momentum with cross party support in the London Assembly

In response to everyone who emailed the Mayor and London Assembly this summer (that means you!), our demands are being debated and supported in City Hall. Initially the Mayor's office responded with cautious support but no concrete proposals [1]. However our calls have now been taken up by Darren Johnson AM who bought together a cross party motion to the London Assembly which was passed unanimously [2].

This is a big step for the campaign and shows there is political will in the London Assembly to address HGV danger.

We need to keep up the pressure on the Mayor to ensure this is followed up by decisive action to address this endemic problem.

- No More Coffins Protest

Thankfully it's been several months since we've had a vigil on London's roads and while I hope that will continue for as long as possible, many of the dangers facing cyclists haven't gone away.

On Friday 27th November Stop Killing Cyclists are holding a demonstration outside Transport for London's HQ calling for action to make London's roads safe [3]. The event runs from 5-6:30 pm so please join after work to help maintain the pressure for safer cycling in London.

No More Coffins Protest event details - 27th November, 5-6:30 pm


- Demand Protected Cycle Lanes in Wandsworth

This campaign has always demanded safer roads for cycling in London, especially protected cycle lanes on main roads to make safe cycling accessible to all. Unfortunately although there has been progress in places many schemes still fail to provide safe space for cycling.

TfL's proposals for Balham High Road fail to provide protected space for cycling [4]. We want to send a clear signal to TfL that this level of provision just isn't good enough. All schemes like this should include:

• Continental style protected cycle lanes (as recently opened in Vauxhall, Embankment and Oval)
• Bus stop cycle lane bypasses

The consultation closes at the end of the week, so please respond now!

Thanks for all your support and I hope to see many of you on the 27th.

Kind regards,


Fred


---
[1] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/our-2015-demands-reviewing-mayors.html
[2] http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/boris-urged-to-ban-hgvs-from-rush-hour-streets/. The details of the motion and the Assembly members supporting our campaign are here: http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/london-assembly-motion-on-hgvs-and.html
[3] No more coffins protest - https://www.facebook.com/events/1042166819129119/ in support of Stop Killing Cyclists' '10 by 2020' demands - http://stopthekilling.org.uk/direct-actions/10-by-2020-cycling-safety-challenge/
[4] http://traffikintooting.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/failing-to-deliver-for-balham-boulevard.html via the 38degrees petition https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/let-s-make-tooting-high-street-safe-for-all (please support!).

Caroline Pidgeon AM supports Save Our Cyclists' HGV demands

Caroline Pidgeon AM has supported Save Our Cyclists' HGV demands in an email I have published in full below:

Thank you for getting in touch with me regarding the danger to cyclists in London posed by HGVs.

I am only too aware of the serious danger that cyclists can find themselves in when sharing the road with HGVs. Whenever I hear another cyclist has been tragically killed on London’s roads, I know it is highly likely to be someone crushed under the wheels on the inside of one of these vehicles. Too many people have died, and I support strong action to put an end to the danger.

I am in favour of trialling a rush hour ban on HGVs, and I recently questioned the Mayor about this - he admitted that he has now changed his mind, and TfL are now considering the possibility of conducting a trial.

I certainly support the introduction of CLOCS safety standards across all public sector construction contracts in London, and I’m happy to call on the Mayor to introduce this. I also support the introduction of the Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) to HGVs – I lobbied the Mayor to introduce this on all London buses, and I am happy to lobby him to extend this to HGVs.

I have visited TfL’s HGV Task Force and I know they do valuable work. However, it’s clear there are still many poor vehicles on ours roads and I would support the expansion of the taskforce to make sure enforcement is as effective as possible.

Finally, I have also called on the Mayor to make more use of the Thames for construction traffic – if we can properly use the river to transport building materials, we can take many more dangerous HGVs off the roads.

Ultimately, it’s clear we need a high quality network of segregated cycle lanes to keep cyclists safe. However, until that is in place it is vital that we reduce the number of HGVs on ours roads, and that the remaining vehicles are as safe as possible.

Thank you once again for getting in touch.

Best wishes,

Caroline

Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group
Deputy Chair Transport Committee
Deputy Chair Police and Crime Committee

www.carolinepidgeon.org
LONDONASSEMBLY Liberal Democrat Group
City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA

Follow me on twitter:     @CarolinePidgeon

Call on the Mayor and GLA to End Lorry Danger

Dear Friends,

7 out of the 8 cyclist fatalities this year have involved HGVs [1]. Much more could be done to protect cyclists and pedestrians from lorry danger:

• A rush hour lorry ban. When we asked earlier this year over half of our supporters wanted a lorry ban in the rush hour [2] when 40% of cycling fatalities involving lorries occur. 
• Construction industry HGVs have killed 5 cyclists this year already [3]. The construction industry must adopt 'CLOCS' safety standards to prevent further deaths. These standards should be made mandatory in every public section construction contract in London.
• Confidential reporting of bad practice needs to be rolled out to all HGV drivers, irrespective of whether their employer wants to take part [3].
  
• Stronger enforcement. Operators must never be allowed to put profits before lives by allowing unlicensed, untrained lorry drivers, or unsafe vehicles, to operate on our roads.

These urgent measures are the starting point for a target of zero lorry deaths on our streets. Safe segregated routes will be key to eventually eliminating road danger but we must start with action to save lives in 2015 not 2025.

Please forward this message along with your own demand for action to:
mayor@london.gov.uk; jennette.arnold@london.gov.uk; caroline.pidgeon@london.gov.uk; darren.johnson@london.gov.uk; campaignsbyyou@38degrees.org.uk

This list includes all the parties represented in the GLA. We need to make sure HGV danger is firmly on the agenda as the parties look forward to the next mayoral election. We will be publishing their responses so please copy us in.

Kind regards,

Fred

---
References:
[1] - www.london24.com/news/cycling/london_cycle_deaths_2015_1_3964719
[2] - When we asked earlier this year over half of our supporters wanted a ban in the rush hour: http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/supporter-survey-2015-responses.html
[3] - http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/higher-safety-standards-needed-for.html

Another cyclist killed by an HGV. Seven HGV deaths already in 2015

Dear Friends,

On Monday a young lady, 26 and recently married, was killed by an HGV while riding her bike to work in the City of London [1].

Shockingly this is the seventh death this year involving an HGV, out of only eight cyclist fatalities in total. Despite many calls for action in the last few years the current approach is not working and the number of cyclists killed by HGVs seems to be increasing.

We must demand our politicians act now to stop the senseless killings on our streets. There have been too many deaths already, we cannot wait for more cyclists to die before meaningful action is taken.

Please join Monday's vigil outside the Bank of England after work to demand action (meeting 5:30pm for 6pm start) [2]. We want to make this protest as big as possible to show the huge strength and depth of feeling on this issue.

This protest will be followed up with more campaigning and will be back in touch once we have details.

I hope to see as many people as possible there on Monday.

Kind regards,


Fred


[1] http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/cyclist-26-killed-in-bank-tipper-truck-crash-was-newly-married-oxford-graduate-10339057.html
[2] https://www.facebook.com/events/860796780682069/

Sea change?

19/11/2014

Hi Fred,

I caught this article on my way through London today and thought 'what a way we have come since a year ago!'. I'm out of the loop, so maybe this is nonsense, but it felt exciting.

R

15th November Protest on Oxford Street

Dear Friends,

This time last year six cyclists died on London's roads in just two weeks [1]. That horrible sequence of tragedies was the impetus for starting this petition [2]. We have made a real impact over the last year and we are part of a large and growing movement for change on our roads. However right now the roads, drivers, vehicles and cyclists out there are largely the same.

We never want to see a repeat of those headlines and we will keep campaigning until people are safe to cycle in London. Today I'd like to share some advice which might be useful for you or a friend:

• Take extra care around lorries, trucks and buses - they are involved in over half of cyclist fatalities. Avoid the left of a lorries at junctions, many turn without indicating first. While the TfL adverts show an articulated goods lorry as the main danger, in reality lorries from the construction & demolition industry are most disproportionately implicated in cyclist fatalities.
• Turn on your lights. If your lights aren't working as well as they should change the batteries or buy new lights if needed. You can find good cheap lights on-line and there are (more expensive) USB powered lights if you don't like changing batteries. Unfortunately some lights are poor quality* and unreliable so check the reviews before you buy.
• Be patient. When the weather is bad and the traffic is jammed it can be frustrating, but it is better to wait a few seconds than put yourself at risk in the danger zone of a lorry or in someone's blind spot. Where possible make eye contact with stationary drivers before you pass in front of their vehicle and if they're not paying attention be very careful.
• Help us keep up the pressure for safer roads - share the petition and come to the demonstration (see below)!

Please join the November 15th protest on Oxford Street to demand Segregated Cycle Lanes, Action on HGVs and 20 mph Speed Limits: www.facebook.com/events/620158668053003

Last year we invited you to the mass 'die-in' outside TfL where over one thousand people protested against the danger on our roads [3]. This year the same group is marching along Oxford Street with a rally at Marble Arch to highlight ten demands for a safer road network [4]. The demands include many of the issues our supporters have told us are important [5], so please help make this protest even bigger than last year.

For further details click here [6]. Also on the same weekend, Sunday the 16th of November is the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims [7].

Many thanks again for your support and I hope everyone stays safe this winter,


Fred

---

P.s. The call for safer cycling is now also coming from business groups thanks to cyclingworks.wordpress.com. The consultations are closing soon, so if your employer might be interested please let them know about it today.

* Lights are a safety device and it shocks me that lights from big manufacturers and sold by major retailers have been found to be unreliable and in some cases not even weather proof. This would not be acceptable for any other safety device and it's not acceptable for cycle lights - if you've had unreliable lights please let us know the brand and who sold them.

ICE - support London's cycle superhighways.

Following the lead of The Ranty Highwayman, I have written to the ICE asking them to put in to practice their policy of supporting cycling.

I have also started a thread on their Facebook page where civil engineers can easily add their support by clicking 'like'.

My email is as follows:

Cyclist dies after crash at Ludgate Circus

Dear Friends,

At Ludgate Circus on Friday a cyclist was left fighting for her life after another incident with a left turning HGV [1, 2]. We have just learnt she has died of her injuries. In a similar incident in April at the same junction a cyclist was crushed to death under a HGV [3].

A colleague saw the aftermath and took this
photo of the bike flattened under the wheels

This junction is on the route of the proposed North-South Cycling Superhighway. If the superhighway is built these tragedies will not be repeated [4]. 

This is the superhighway Canary Wharf PLC have been campaigning against and want scrapped. 

Canary Wharf admitted to secretly briefing against the proposals. Peter Anderson is the finance director at Canary Wharf PLC, he is also the chair of the TfL finance committee which decides whether or not these the superhighway will be funded. Peter Anderson has declared no conflict of interest on the subject [5, 6]. It is this kind of lobbying that has prevented safe cycling infrastructure in the past.

We won over public opinion [7]. Now we must ensure the shady lobbying and conflicts of interest are stopped permanently. 

The London Assembly has powers to hold the Mayor and TfL to account and to investigate important issues. The members of the London Assembly are also answerable to us, their electorate. We must alert them so they can put a stop to this lobbying which is putting the lives of cyclists at risk.

Can you take a couple of minutes to write to your London Assembly Member to demand a stop to the shady lobbying against superhighway plans which will save lives?: http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/write-to-your-assembly-members.html

Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the cyclist who was fatally injured on Friday.

Thank you for your support,


Fred

---

Dates for the diary:
- 15th November will see a major road safety protest on Oxford Street, London: saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/15th-november-oxford-street-road-safety
- 16th November is the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims: http://www.roadpeace.org/remembering/world_day_of_remembrance/

References:
[1] www.standard.co.uk/news/london/woman-cyclist-in-hospital-after-being-crushed-by-lorry-at-notorious-ludgate-circus-9801791.html
[2] https://rosslydall.wordpress.com/2014/10/20/woman-cyclist-critically-injured-in-hgv-collision-dies-of-her-injuries/
[3]http://road.cc/content/news/133336-second-serious-cyclist-crash-year-ludgate-circus-sparks-demands-action
[4] https://twitter.com/AsEasyAsRiding/status/523089468266672128/photo/1
[5] http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/major-corporates-investor-londons.html
[6] http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/canary-wharf-finance-director-must.html
[7] www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/overwhelming-support-for-giving-up-more-road-space-to-cyclists-poll-reveals-as-londoners-back-cycle-superhighway-scheme-9800458.html

Save Our Cyclists Petition - Update

Dear Friends,

Last winter 36'000 people signed the 'Save Our Cyclists' petition calling for action to keep cyclists safe. After nine cyclist deaths in London this year and 7 months since Andrew Gilligan responded, here is an update of what we've achieved and where we need to keep pushing [1] [2]:

• Ambitious plans for North-South & East West segregated superhighways were released by TfL, which need your support [3]. 
• HGVs safety: TfL are proposing Safer Lorries measures and it appears the HGV enforcement team will be expanded [4] [5].
• CS2 delayed: We were promised designs in June & works starting this year. Detailed proposals have just been announced for works starting next year and completed in 2016 [6] [7]. However we were alarmed to notice the lane disappears at one point and no improvements are proposed for Bow roundabout [8].

We're making progress but the delayed CS2 plans need major changes to address serious gaps in provision. The superhighway must extend the full length of the route and Bow roundabout must be improved for cycling and walking [8].

You can follow campaign developments at saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk

One campaign development we want to tell everyone about is that Rhiannon, who started the campaign, has moved to Switzerland and handed the campaign to me, Fred [9]. A big thanks to Rhiannon for creating the petition and all her hard work. Rhiannon will continue to support the campaign as an advisor, and looks forward to seeing where we go next!

In March we asked you about our next steps and over half chose segregated lanes and in second one fifth chose HGV safety [10]. We will be pushing for both of these in the coming months, and with some councils actively opposing segregated lanes we be widening the campaign.

We will be in touch about this soon but until then please support the ambitious plans for segregated superhighways!

Many thanks for your support,


Fred Smith

---

P.s.
-  We asked Andrew Gilligan for comments but he didn't reply.
-  Finally, the petition is still open for new supporters: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-our-cyclists!

References:
[1] http://cycling-intelligence.com/fatal-cycling-accidents-in-london/
[2] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/gilligans-response.html
[3] http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/how-you-can-help-make-londons-planned.html
[4] http://ibikelondon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/want-safer-lorries-in-london-say-yes-to.html
[5] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/hgv-enforcement-statistics-update.html
[6] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/gilligans-response.html
[7] http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/cycle-superhighway-2-boris-johnson-announces-25m-upgrade-to-notorious-bowwhitechapel-cycle-route-9750149.html
[8] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/cs2-plans-theres-something-missing.html
[9] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/petition-news-since-february.html
[10] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/survey-results-what-issue-do-you-think.html

Boris considers safety incentives in bus contracts

Dear Friends,

We have good news for our petition to End London’s Lethal Truck Epidemic:

Boris will consider rewarding safety in bus contracts. With assembly members from his own party raising the issue it is a great opportunity to get progress on one of the petition's demands [1]. We need to keep this in the spot light to make sure this happens. Can you help spread the word by sharing this email with your friends, flatmates and colleagues?

In addition, TfL have plans to tighten up safety requirements for lorries by removing exemptions from safety rules [2]. The consultation is open now, so please show your support.

Finally, there have also been positive statements about HGV enforcement [3], but we want to see the figures.

This is a great start but we need to keep up the pressure: please help by sharing this on Facebook & Twitter.

SHARE ON FACEBOOK 


SHARE ON TWITTER 

Many thanks,

Fred

http://stopthekilling.org.uk/
___
[1] http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/boris-agrees-to-consider-financial-incentives-to-improve-bus-safety/
[2] https://www.facebook.com/cyclingconsultations/posts/1484998491745957
[3] http://saveourcyclists.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/tfls-response-to-hgv-concerns.html

Enforcement statistics - HGVs

Dear TfL,

In June I received an email regarding HGV safety (copied below).

I would like to request an update on the enforcement action. In particular you gave the following statistics:

"Between 1 October 2013 and 7 June 2014, 2577 vehicles were targeted and stopped, over 600 fixed penalty notices were issued and 35 of the most unsafe vehicles were seized."

Please could you send me updated figures for:

• vehicles targeted and stopped
• fixed penalty notices issued
• unsafe vehicles seized

Kind regards,


Fred


---

TfL's response to my e-mail about the seriously disproportionate dangers presented by HGVs (their e-mail address is freight@tfl.gov.uk).

"Thank you for your email of 13 June 2014 about the movement of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on London’s roads.

Firstly, you are absolutely right to say that HGVs are disproportionately involved in road collisions in London. 53 per cent of all pedal cycle fatalities between 2008 and 2012 involved a HGV despite only making up four per cent of London’s road miles. Both the Mayor and Transport for London are working hard to reduce the risk posed by HGVs to vulnerable road users and part of our £913m programme of investment is dedicated to this specific issue. We believe that no lorry should be allowed in London unless it is fitted with basic safety equipments to protect vulnerable road users. TfL has completed a feasibility study, Safer Lorry Scheme: the Way Forward (available here tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/safer-lorry-scheme-the-way-forward.pdf), which sets out the options to make this happen. TfL is working with London Councils to implement these recommendations and hope the Scheme will be in operation at the end of this year. We are also increasing enforcement activity against the most dangerous and non-compliant vehicles on London’s roads through the joint TfL/ Department for Transport (DfT) Industrial HGV Task Force. This task force comprises eight police and DfT officers who can enforce vehicle standards regulations. Between 1 October 2013 and 7 June 2014, 2577 vehicles were targeted and stopped, over 600 fixed penalty notices were issued and 35 of the most unsafe vehicles were seized. However, the Mayor is determined to go further and has been speaking to the DfT about how we can improve HGV safety across the UK and the EU. We have been lobbying the DfT to remove the exemptions for construction HGVs that are currently not required to fit basic safety equipment, such as side guards and blind spot mirrors. The Mayor and TfL recently lobbied the European Parliament about the European Commission’s proposals to amend the directive that regulates the weights and dimensions of HGVs. The European Parliament has now passed amendments that, if taken forward, will mean lower cabs and bigger windows will apply to all new HGVs. This means a drivers direct vision around his vehicle will be much better, reducing the reliance on cameras and sensors. Although this means we are unlikely to see these requirements mandatory for all new HGVs until 2022 at the earliest we will keep the pressure up to achieve change as soon as possible for the benefit of all road users. In the meantime, TfL has established an industry working group with over 30 businesses and vehicle manufacturers to encourage vehicle designs that improve direct vision for HGV drivers. While it will take time to implement those changes the group is examining what effective safety improvements could be obtained from existing equipment. The group has also started examining the range of additional safety systems such as sensors and cameras that could help.

Since February 2012, TfL has included cycle safety requirements in its procurement contracts. Vehicles must be equipped with technology to eliminate blind spots and drivers receive on-cycle hazard awareness training. These requirements have also been included within TfL’s Construction Logistics Plan Guidance (which can be found here for planners http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/construction-logistics-plan-guidance-for-planners.pdf and here for developershttp://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/construction-logistics-plan-guidance-for-developers.pdf). These are now included in many planning applications. To encourage other organisations to follow our lead, a guidance document on Improving Road Safety through Procurement is available which recently won the ‘Best London Cycling Initiative’ at the London Cycling Campaign awards. Crossrail, The London Legacy Development Corporation, Thames Water, MACE and a number of London boroughs have already committed to this approach.

Other practical tools to improve lorry safety include:

- a Cycle Safety toolkit for freight operators

- Exchanging Places events to give cyclists the opportunity to sit in the cab of a lorry to see the extent of vehicle blind spots and encourages safer cycling.

Hope this answers your query regarding our position on the issues you raised.

Thank you once again for contacting us.

Yours sincerely, Freight and Fleet Team, Transport for London"

Follow-up email to Andrew Gilligan

We asked Andrew Gilligan for an update on the petition demands & to comment on recent developments but unfortunately he didn't reply. The email we sent him is below:

Dear Andrew,

Save our Cyclists Petition - Update

Last winter 36'000 people signed the 'Save our cyclists' petition, and it was handed to you on the 10th of December. On the 12th of February Rhiannon shared your response with the signatories. This email is to give you an update on the petition and our next steps. We are planning to email our supporters about progress in late August and would like to give you the opportunity to comment before we send it.

We believe there is a lot more we can achieve with the petition to improve cycling in London.

• In March we ran a poll which found over half of the respondents wanted us to focus on segregated lanes. In second approximately a fifth prioritised action on HGVs. 
• In both your response to us and in your speech at the Big Ride you highlighted the need for support to win the debates on a borough level. 

We will be pressing for delivery of segregated & high quality lanes across London, identifying those boroughs which appear to be obstructing cycling infrastructure & the schemes which fall short of the standard identified in the Vision for Cycling.

Below this email I've identified the main developments since February to share with the petition. If you have anything to add or respond to please could you send that to me by Monday 25th August.

Kind regards,


Fred Smith


---

Petition progress since February

I have worked through the demands (bold italics) and identified progress since your email to Rhiannon. We've referred to your speech at the LCC Big Ride [1] and consultations which have been published by TfL.

We would appreciate any comments or updates you can give us. If you prefer to submit a formal response, we will send that to our supporters. We will need to receive any response by the 25th of August to include it in the email.

We call on Boris Johnson and Andrew Gilligan to vastly accelerate their plan for expenditure of the £913 million cycling fund, by releasing an accurate, costed and time-bound plan for how the fund will address cycle safety over the next 12 months, from the end of December 2013.

Your speech to the Big Ride [1] included announcements on:

• Central London Cycling grid & quietway pilots [2] 
• Mini-Hollands 
• Junction improvements [3] 
• Segregated cycle routes through the centre, proposals to come September & October.
• There have also been TfL consultations on Vauxhall, CS5, Oval, Kings Cross and the Elephant & Castle northern roundabout.

We would be interested to hear the latest progress. Has there been any progress agreeing suitable routes for the 'Bike Grid' with the boroughs since the online map was published, or is this still ongoing?

- Cycle Superhighway 2
In your response to Rhiannon you said that you would "publish detailed designs in June and begin work in the second half of this year". At the Big Ride you said the consultation would start in September. Are you still targeting a start in 2014?

- Heavy Goods Vehicles
We welcome the Safer Lorries proposal which is currently being consulted upon [4] and you hope to implement early next year.

Are there any updates on banning HGVs during peak times or the ongoing enforcement against HGVs you also mentioned?

- Training for motorists, including TFL staff
No further announcements.

- Training for cyclists No further announcements.

- Further investment in the cycling fund
No further announcements.

---

Link to the petition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-our-cyclists

References:
[1] http://hfcyclists.org.uk/andrew-gilligan-speech-space-cycling-big-ride-saturday-17th-may-2014/
[2] https://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/how-we-work/planning-for-the-future/vision-for-cycling/central-london-cycling-grid
[3] http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/290m-plan-to-make-london-roundabouts-safer-and-less-threatening-to-cyclists-9154064.html
[4] https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/safer-lorries

Note: I have edited out the part where I introduce & tell him a little about myself.

Round two

Dear all,

It is time for round two. It's time to get our heads together and work out where we want to go next. We got the plan we asked for from Andrew Gilligan, and now we need to hold the Cycling Tsar to account. We need to see some real change.

Thank you to those who have already written in and shared your ideas on the blog about Gilligan's response. You've questioned it, criticised it, and denounced it. You've raised more than twelve separate issues that we could focus on to make London a safer place for cyclists. One thing is clear; we need to keep up the heat.

We're working within a movement here. New and long-standing groups are demanding a new deal for cyclists. Together, we're covering all bases. Right now, for our campaign, we need to get focussed. What do you care about most? Is it banning HGVs? Improvements for Cycle Superhighway 2? Demanding more funding for the Mayors Cycling Vision? Or do you want an overhaul of cycling all together? What is the number one issue where you think we could have an impact?

Can you vote here to tell us what you want to focus on?

Back in November, we reached a crisis point. We needed to take action, to raise awareness and to bring the issue of cycle safety in London to the agenda. Together with other groups and campaigns, we have done this. Every campaign on this has a different approach, as with all movements.

Our approach was to ask for a plan. We needed something concrete we could campaign on, so we wouldn't keep being fobbed off with endless cycling visions. We did get a plan from Gilligan, but it doesn't take a thorough reading to be clear that we still have a long way to go.

But where should we go - what is your priority issue?

When we're talking about change for London cyclists, we're talking about a vision. We all have different ideas of what it will look like, but we all share the same common thread; a safer capital for our cyclists. One day, London will be a safer city to cycle in. We need to keep it on the agenda, keep our voices raised, and keep up the pressure. Step by step, push by push, we'll get there. It's not rocket science, but it is pedal power.

I'll look forward to reading your responses, and will be in touch soon.

Cycle safe,

Rhiannon 

The Plan

Dear all,

We just got a response to our petition that asks the Cycling Tzar Andrew Gilligan for both increased expenditure of the cycling fund, and a plan of the changes that London cyclists can expect to see in 2014. The response came from Gilligan himself. I wanted to let you know, and to share it with you in full.

Firstly, this is exciting news. Getting a response out of Gilligan is a result. He could have brushed it off, ignored us, hoping that we'd forget and go away. The fact that he responded shows that we're a force to be reckoned with. Our efforts here, and our collective voices are making a difference. We're making progress.

Better still, Gilligan has agreed to our demands. This is a really positive step on the way to realising the changes that we want to see for cyclists in London. 

Click here to read Gilligan's plan in full

Among his comments, Gilligan agrees to our demand to vastly increase expenditure of the cycling fund, and he has outlined his plan for 2014. Let's just pause on that for a second. We just scored a win. Of the five key issues we wanted the plan to cover, Gilligan gave the following response:

• Cycle Superhighway 2
  Work will begin in the second half of this year
  
  
• HGVs
  Proposal to ban lorries without safety equipment to protect cyclists. Looking into banning HGVs during peak times
  
  
• Training for motorists, including TFL staff
  Lobbying Government for changes to DVLA driving tests
  
  
• Training for cyclists
  Plan to spend £60 million on cycle training, being able to offer cycle training to every London child and every adult in London who wants it
  
  
• Further investment in the cycling fund
  No comment

For the full response, click here to read it

That's 4 out of 5. It's a brilliant victory. Of course, this is not quite the costed, accurate and time-bound plan that we asked for. This plan is lacking in detail and specific time structures, but it is a start, and it is a commitment. We are starting to get some clarity on the changes cyclists can expect to see this year.

We are now over 37,000 people. That's 37,000 bicycles that can hold the Cycling Commissioner to account. From a crisis moment at the end of 2013 that tipped the everyday experiences of cyclists in to mass mobilisation, we have come a long way. With the Mayoral elections coming up next year, major initiatives launching with the London Cycling Campaign and persistent direct action by Stop Killing Cyclists, we still have everything to play for. 

For now, we've scored a win. But our work is far from over. Already this year, one cyclist in London has tragically died [1], and another London cyclist is struggling with severe head injuries after a collision with a car [2]. We'll need to think about what to do next, where we want to go with this campaign. We'll also need to recruit some more volunteers. I'll be in touch later this week to ask you more specific questions on where we go next, but for now, you can write your immediate thoughts and ideas in the comments box of our blog and join in the discussion.

Before we begin round two, let's enjoy this victory for a little while. Congratulations!

Cycle safe,

Rhiannon

Save Our Cyclists
saveourcyclistslondon@gmail.com

Notes:
[1] Guardian Series, Vigil protest as first cyclist in London dies this year, http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/11001911.Vigil_after_death_of_cyclist/ 

[2] Guardian Series, Cyclist has 'life threatening' injuries after accident, http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/11001584.Cyclist_has__life_threatening__head_injuries_after_crash/