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Driver awareness to help safety for cyclists

An innovative exercise designed to help cyclists stay safe around buses has been hailed a success by performance manager Paul Mears.

The idea, first mooted by drivers at Norwood, was taken up by union rep Ian Lynch and Paul. It eventually involved Transport for London, the Met Police cycle task force team and a number of cyclists who were advised to take part.

Paul explained that drivers attending a garage forum raised the issue of cyclists riding dangerously by jumping red lights, holding on to buses and weaving in and out of the new cycle super highways.

“Their point was,” said Paul, “that while drivers had been trained to be aware of cyclists, very little was being done to advise cyclists to use the roads safely, especially near buses. Our drivers were genuinely concerned that a cyclist behaving in a careless way near a bus could be involved in an accident.”

It was decided to do something about it and a double-decker bus was driven by Ian to a lay-by in Kennington Park Road. He and Paul were joined by a representative from TfL and a number of police officer and PCSOs.

The police officer in charge of the operation, Carl Burridge, used to be a London bus driver and was “very keen” to put across the safety message to cyclists.

Police officers positioned themselves at nearby junctions to stop cyclists who jumped red lights or violated traffic laws in other ways.

Within two hours a total of 11 cyclists were cautioned and given the opportunity of paying a £30 fine or “having a chat about cycling safely” with an officer.

All chose the chat. Cyclists were invited to sit behind the wheel of the bus as a police officer pointed out blind spots. An officer also cycled slowly along either side of the bus to reinforce the message.

“It wasn’t a case of having a go at cyclists, but simply advising them to use the road sensibly and be aware of the challenges facing bus drivers,” said Paul.

“The initiative was very successful and I’m hoping we can carry out similar exercises throughout London. It shows drivers that we are aware that some cyclists behave carelessly and that we are doing something about it.
 

Published: Sun 17 Apr 2011Modified: Tue 29 Mar 2011Archived: Sun 22 May 2011

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