Cyclist-HGV incidents

julianemre

Hi guys, I'm a bicycle courier in London, a pretty avid cyclist in general, and am currently working with a TV production company intending to make a programme about incidents involving cyclists and HGVs (I'm starting to get really depressed by how often, and the context in which, I seem to be seeing those two words recently)

Anyway, I'm posting this all around the internet, and contacting cycling organisations around the country in the search for leads. Getting to the point, Panorama are interested in the documentary, however, first it needs to prove itself to be investigating a nationwide concern, not just something that happens in London, where - unfortunately - there are plenty of incidents.

Therefore, if anyone can recall news on the grapevine, or local media reports, concerning a cyclist getting clobbered by an HGV outside of London, then speak up and post away, I'm more than happy to go chasing up any leads you put my way.

Thanks in advance

Julian

ride_whenever

There was a student killed by a rubbish lorry in oxford about a year ago, don't know if that is recent enough for you?

Also check out ghostbikes.

cee

julianemre

In edinburgh back in april.....

clicky

downfader

It seems to me that the problem is sited around areas of redevelopment, such as the 2012 site, and major cities that are renovating areas. Currently southampton has a mass of redevelopment, and so many extra HGVs, but we dont appear to be suffering the same issues that London has.

I think if you're serious about this you need to consult a traffic expert and anylise the road layout around the areas involved with such collisions. Visibility and physical layout seem to contribute.

You also perhaps need to contact some cycle clubs and ask for testimonials. Do they know of accidents, and importantly near misses (as these are rarely reported). Some basic safety advice to cyclists would also be of benefit.

Good luck!

story from pompey

woodford2barbican

I've suggested this to someone asking the same question on the uk.rec.cycling google group who was asking the same question - working on the same documentary perhaps?

But why don't you do a freedom of info request to the Dept of Transport and get some proper data instead of some hearsay from a collection of webmongs?

I don't think you are being out of order asking these questions, rather that the people actually making / financing the documentary (i am presuming you are not) should be putting more effort into this rather than relying on other people to do the background research.

You could also ask some other questions of them which could help build the argument/s which might be proposed in this documentary?

Such as why are there fewer such deaths involving buses & cycllists?

Is it worth investigating if the drivers are paid on a per load basis? Is this legal?

Kieran_Burns

It's only a pity I didn't report the lorry driver that almost killed me when he failed to stop at a roundabout. It was only my avoiding action that prevented a fatality.

downfader

woodford2barbican wrote:

I've suggested this to someone asking the same question on the uk.rec.cycling google group who was asking the same question - working on the same documentary perhaps?

But why don't you do a freedom of info request to the Dept of Transport and get some proper data instead of some hearsay from a collection of webmongs?

I don't think you are being out of order asking these questions, rather that the people actually making / financing the documentary (i am presuming you are not) should be putting more effort into this rather than relying on other people to do the background research.

You could also ask some other questions of them which could help build the argument/s which might be proposed in this documentary?

Such as why are there fewer such deaths involving buses & cycllists?

Is it worth investigating if the drivers are paid on a per load basis? Is this legal?

The Dft already has a load of info online - just needs reading.

With busses I think any bus driver will tell you about the extra glass, even the extra eyes onboard being a deciding factor.