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Cyclists switch places with lorry drivers to warn them of the dangers of not being seen

Cyclists are being shown the dangers of riding into lorry blind spots to make sure they remain safe on the roads around construction sites.

Cycle safety 2

Published on
June 21, 2016

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Cyclists travelling through Nine Elms on the South Bank will be encouraged to swap the saddle for a lorry cab as part of a drive to raise awareness of the dangers of vehicle blind spots.

The Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership, led by Thames Tideway Tunnel and Battersea Power Station (BPSDC), has teamed up with the Met’s Cycle Task Force to target riders during the daily commute.

They are given the chance to sit in a lorry cab and see how invisible they can be to drivers when they cycle unawares into the lorry’s blind spots.

The events will take place on Friday 17 June, Monday 11 July, Tuesday 9 August, Tuesday 6 September, Tuesday 4 October, and Tuesday 22 November. Locations will be advertised closer to each session.

The first event took place last week in Nine Elms Lane where the team spoke to cyclists about avoiding the rush hour hazards. A mechanic was also on hand from Have Bike to give free cycle health checks.

Wandsworth Council Leader and Co-Chair of the Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership Ravi Govindia said: “The changes taking place across Nine Elms are extremely exciting but constructing a new neighbourhood involves a lot of HGVs. That’s why it is imperative that both drivers and cyclists are fully aware of all the dangers.

We very much welcome these cycle safety initiatives and I hope as many people as possible will take advantage of them.”

Councillor Lib Peck, Lambeth Council Leader and Co-Chair of the Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership, said: “Making sure cyclists stay safe on our roads is vital while construction is under way in Nine Elms and Vauxhall and key to doing that is making sure everyone using the road is aware of the potential dangers posed by other road-users. I would urge all cyclists to take advantage of these sessions.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

As the major regeneration of Nine Elms on the South Bank progresses at a pace, the area is rapidly shaping up to become one of London’s most innovative and vibrant quarters.

The new Nine Elms Park will add to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and a new stretch of the River Thames Walk, lined with cafes, bars shops and galleries which will give the area a rich mix of culture and green space just a few minutes from Westminster and the City.

The area will also benefit from two new Tube stations, new schools, two town centres, around 4,000 affordable homes, health centres, a high-speed data network for businesses, a second River Bus pier and a new cycling and pedestrian network.

Other key attractions in the pipeline will included a revived Battersea Power Station, the new US and Dutch embassies and a new centre for London’s foodies at New Covent Garden.

The district is being shaped by world leading architects, developers and planners to create a truly mixed-use district with real city centre vitality.

Find out more at www.nineelmslondon.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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