London 2012 cycle safety campaign launch focuses on lorries

ODA Chairman John Armitt and cycle safety campaigner Cynthia Barlow will be helping distribute Fresnel lenses to lorry drivers, which are a simple and effective measure that can be used to increase safety for cyclists.

By putting a Fresnel lens on the passenger window, lorry drivers can see cyclists and vehicles on the passenger side of the lorry, where before they would have had a “blind spot”. The ODA will distribute 1,600 Fresnel lenses in the first stage of the campaign.

Photos from the event are available for download here

The ODA has also established a forum with VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) Metropolitan Police and the construction industry to examine a range of initiatives to ensure the safe operation of vehicles on the road network leading to the Olympic Park.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'Fresnel lenses are an effective way of increasing the view of the road, and may help reduce the numbers of injuries and deaths of cyclists in London.

'We are committed to working in partnership with our contractors to ensure the highest standards of health and safety on the Olympic Park. In addition to this campaign, we are also aiming to transport 50 per cent of the construction materials needed on site by rail and water, which means that we will be taking thousands of unnecessary lorry journeys off London’s roads.'

Cynthia Barlow, campaigner for RoadPeace, said: 'Every year about 20 cyclists are killed on London’s roads and often it is the construction industry vehicles – concrete mixers, tipper lorries and skip lorries – making left turns that are involved.

'It is vitally important that the owners and drivers of these vehicles take action to deal with the potential danger of their vehicles to vulnerable road users by ensuring they have a good view all around their vehicle, firstly with fresnel lenses, and other possible measures such as proximity sensors, mirrors, and cameras.'

Peter McBride, Head of Cycling, Walking and Accessibility at Transport for London (TfL) said: 'Although the number of cyclists killed on London’s roads has fallen in recent years, the fact remains that more than half of all cycle deaths in the Capital involve a goods vehicle. By working directly with haulage companies to address this serious road safety issue, the ODA and TfL are taking practical steps, such as the distribution of Fresnel lenses, to help make cyclists safer and more visible on the Capital’s roads.'

Charlie Lloyd from London Cycling Campaign said: 'Large lorries are a major threat to the safety of cyclists in London and it is essential that everything possible is done to make lorry drivers aware of the risks their vehicles pose to pedestrians and cyclists.

'We welcome the action of the ODA to provide some Fresnel lenses to lorry drivers. Not only will the lenses make it easier to see cyclists near the lorry but they will also have a constant reminder to take extra care when driving in urban areas.'

John Fitch, Research and Development Manager said: 'From the research carried out by VOSA, the use of the Fresnel Lens has proved to help reduce the driver’s blind spots in HGVs and in doing so reduce incidents.

'VOSA and the Highways Agency are issuing lenses throughout England in a campaign to reduce blind spot incidents and congestion. It is important that large construction projects like London 2012 are leading the way in the industry with this campaign.'

The ODA have also installed cycle improvement measures around the primary access junction on the A12 in consultation with TfL and the London Borough of Hackney, with more improvements being installed next month.

Notes to Editors

1. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) provides a range of licensing, testing and enforcement services with the aim of improving the roadworthiness standards of vehicles ensuring the compliance of operators and drivers, and supporting the independent Traffic Commissioners.

2. The number of cyclists killed or seriously injured on London's roads has fallen by 19 per cent since the mid to late 1990's, despite a 91 per cent increase in the number of cycle journeys made on London's major roads. The Mayor and TfL are committed to improving safety for all London's road users and are investing a record £49.6 million on road safety this year.

3. TfL provide free cyclist warning signage and Fresnel safety lenses, which improve lorry drivers’ vision of cyclists who come within close proximity of their vehicles, to freight companies operating vehicles in London. In addition, TfL has run a number of hard hitting adverts designed to make drivers aware of the needs of cyclists on the roads and is funding a record 3m this year in free or subsidised cycle training for adults and children through London's borough councils.

4. For more information please contact Holly Wheeler in the ODA press office on 0203 2012 669.

The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.

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