Truck drivers forum perspective of cyclist fatality.

[Mugshot]

I think it's the LACK of cyclists that makes the difference! There simply aren't enough of them in Glasgow or Scotland in general for it to be an issue.
Makes the cycling more pleasant too; drivers don't seem so wound up about cyclists. Or maybe I'm reading too much on here about conflict in other parts of the country, which IME isn't so bad. I've even survived cycling in London!

Gotcha

 

[Brandane]

Do the cyclists you encounter act differently around HGVs or do the HGV drivers act differently around cyclists? I think you've said in this thread that you do have experience of driving in London, and you also feel that London is where the problems are concentrated, so is it London cyclists or London drivers that are creating the problem?

See updated reply above as I wasn't quick enough to delete.
I haven't driven a lorry in London, and hopefully never will. I detest the place even driving in a car, which I have done in the distant past. Cycling wasn't too bad but not something I would make a habit of. I just don't like London TBH, a depressing rat race of a place.

 

[classic33]

In other situations where vehicles are too big to use the infrastructure as designed, they are obliged to have flashing lights, additional signs, escorts, additional speed restrictions etc, in recognition of the additional danger they present. With urban lorries, on the other hand, we are simply expected to get out of their way as they swing dangerously across multiple lanes.

And if this swinging dangerously across multiple lanes is due to the fact that the trailer will not bend, and the fact that you've failed to take this simple fact into consideration? Even when taking a right-hand turn, they may have to move to the left in order to be able to make the turn.

The junction described earlier isn't in a town/city centre. Its a junction of two "A" roads. Three spurs of which see heavy usage by all vehicle types.

@Brandane, since you're the only one to have offerred an answer. The crossroad design includes a pedestrian crossing at each set of lights, after which you'd be in the flow of traffic on the other "A" road. Its also what limits your view to the left.

 

[glenn forger]

I’m up for good quality cycle training, but frankly, “Exchanging Places” is not going to do any significant good: You have a bout a million occasional cyclists in London, half a million fairly frequent, and about quarter of a million on a given day. Getting through to them to change their behaviour is very difficult, and a lot of manoeuvres have to be made where the cyclist cannot avoid an HGV coming up from behind and/or coming along and overtaking and swinging to the left. Also, even experienced vehicular cyclists like myself who are fully aware of the issue make mistakes near lorries – we don’t deserve to die because of this.

After all, motorists have the vehicle and highway environment designed for their carelessness – why can’t cyclists and pedestrians?

https://buffalobillbikeblog.wordpre...ted-bike-lanes-prevent-lorry-deaths/#comments

Jenny Jones: Could you confirm the number of HGVs stopped by police in London for each year since 2000, the proportion that were found to be driving illegally, any breakdown of offences and the proportion that were stopped by specialist traffic police?

Answer from the Mayor: The MPS did not, until 2008, keep a record of the number of HGVs that were stopped. In 2008/09 3,000 vehicles were stopped (all types including lightweight vans). Of these 1329 were ‘trucks’ over 7.5 tonnes [note: vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are defined as HGVs]. Proportion found to be driving illegally: Offences were found in an average 80% of these vehicles.

 

[Dan B]

And if this swinging dangerously across multiple lanes is due to the fact that the trailer will not bend

Then that would imply that the danger is intrinsic to the vehicle used rather than being due to the acts of its driver

But I don't see how that makes things any better.

 

[classic33]

Then that would imply that the danger is intrinsic to the vehicle used rather than being due to the acts of its driver

But I don't see how that makes things any better.

A bike has a tighter turning circle, why?

 

[Dan B]

A bike has a tighter turning circle, why?

Because it's a legal requirement it be able to pull a wheelie outside the Savoy Hotel.

Or is that taxis? I always get them confused.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Until better truck design comes along, how about all the construction & haulage companies fitting these RFID receivers to their vehicles and supplying the cycle tags free or at, say, £5 each to all cyclists? (Apparently they're free to cyclists attending any of the Met's Exchanging Places events.)

This isn't to say that drivers should be relying on tech rather than their eyes and mirrors, however a bit of electronics could make all the difference.

• works on all HGVs, LGVs and PSVs, and also works through glass which means it can work on buses and coaches
• wireless sensors (10 year life)
• quick and easy to install (20 mins for a bus, 40 mins for HGV)
• cycle tag is motion activated to prolong battery life
• cycle tag battery life approximately 12-18 months
• Stormproof​

GC

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Looks like a solution, 50m is a serious range for RFID. See, I'd happily shell out a fiver for the sender if the number of trucks equipped with them was sufficient. If I was being pessimistic then I'd have to pick up @User 's point and say I wonder if it would stop left hooks because of difficulties between differentiating between a bike already in the side street, and the bike right next to them. I guess it depends how sensitive it is. Also the cynic in me says 'when will it be standard fitment to Boris Bikes?

Having explored RFID for a different hobby, 50m really is a long way.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

With a stated 50m range, the thing would beep continuously in London.

I think that's just its operative range. " If the signal strength reports from the side sensors received by the Cab Unit pass a certain threshold level, then an audible alert is sounded and the cab display shows the approximate location of the bicycle. "

I imagine it's much like reverse parking sensors where the alert is stronger the closer the obstacle.

GC

 

[Tin Pot]

Seems useful - would need to be mandatory on foreign trucks wouldn't it? How feasible is that?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Take a car to France and you have to have spare bulbs, hi-viz waistcoats, warning triangle. I don't see why we can't impose similarly.

AND two breathalyser kits!

GC

 

[vickster]

Take a car to France and you have to have spare bulbs, hi-viz waistcoats, warning triangle. I don't see why we can't impose similarly.

On cyclists? The rear triangle flashes?

 

[Dan B]

Until better truck design comes along, how about all the construction & haulage companies fitting these RFID receivers to their vehicles and supplying the cycle tags free or at, say, £5 each to all cyclists?

"Look, I'm sorry the cyclist got crushed against my lorry, but they were extremely foolish to not have fitted an RFID tag to their bike. Also, not wearing a helmet"

Can't they use lasers or mm radar or something down the side of the bus to detect cyclists even when they aren't carrying RFID tags? Volvos have automatic kangaroo avoidance radar in their radiator grilles, maybe we could use that technology (though I guess the fursuits would get a bit hot)

 

[snorri]

It's cyclists who are being killed.
Therefore it makes sense to concentrate on preventing them becoming victims. Self preservation tactics would be a good starting point.

On construction sites where site staff are all responsible adults and generally fit and able they have to go through rigorous training and safety awareness courses, but still potentially dangerous equipment is guarded so that even when a site employee does something daft, he/she is protected.
Why should we not take steps to guard potentially dangerous equipment (lorries)operating in public areas(roads) shared by people of all ages with a wide range of mental and physical capabilities?