Cycling is on the increase in New Zealand and although it is generally becoming safer, by following a few simple tips we can prevent crashes.
Most cyclist and truck or bus collisions happen when vehicles turn left at traffic lights or other intersections.
Risk can be minimised if drivers and cyclists alike are aware of each other and behave responsibly.
Tips for cyclists
Cycle sensibly and assertively to help yourself stay safe.
- Recognise that truck or bus drivers may not be able to see you
- Never cycle up the left side of a truck or bus stopped at a junction
- Look out for trucks or buses turning left from beside or behind you
- Don't stop too close to the front of a stopped truck or bus
- Take up a visible position at lights: three metres out in front and not by the left kerb or very close to the truck or bus
About blind spots
The blind spot can be the full length of the vehicle, leaving the driver unable to see anyone cycling beside them on the left.
Don't risk your life by trying to pass trucks or buses on the left hand side when they are stopped at intersections or are about to turn.
Tips for truck and bus drivers
- Stay alert and look out for cyclists, particularly on your left side
- Wait for the right moment to pass cyclists and give them a wide berth
- Remember your huge size in comparison with the vulnerable cyclist - an adult cyclist may only be the height of your wheels
- Remain alert even in stationary traffic - pedestrians and cyclists may weave through slow traffic
- Don't cross stop lines or infringe on cycle Advanced Stop Boxes
- Get the best mirror system you can, including a FRESNEL lens. By fitting the lens to the passenger side window of your cab, you can improve your vision of cyclists on the left hand side of your vehicle.
When turning left
- Always signal and do so well in advance. A cyclist already on your left hand side or in front of you cannot see your indicators
- Look for cyclists on your left hand side. If you even suspect they are there, pause to let them get out of your way especially when pulling away
- Remember that if you have passed a cyclist just before approaching a traffic light or a junction, it is very likely they will end up on your left hand side or just in front of you. Assume the cyclist is in one of your blind spots
- Leave room in front of you when stopped at traffic lights to allow cyclists and motor cyclists a margin of safety
Watch this video from the UK on safe cycling near trucks and buses.
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| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Safety tips for cyclists bus and truck drivers.pdf | 2.43 MB |
Comments
Truck drivers have no more excuses when it comes to cycling blin
A new campaign calls for transport firms to send their HGV drivers on cycle-awareness courses and fit their vehicles with cameras
The risk to cyclists from large lorries is a problem in all urban areas. Thankfully crashes are rare – on average about eight cyclists per year are killed by lorries in London, accounting for about half the cyclist deaths in the capital. Across the UK, about 28 are killed by lorries each year, with 70% of these in urban areas.
more at http://can.org.nz/article/lorry-drivers-have-no-more-excuses-when-it-com...
Cycle safety training for truck drivers
The Mayor of London is backing LCC's call for cycle safety training for HGV drivers.
Boris Johnson’s new Cycle Safety Action Plan says Transport for London will work with the Department for Transport to make awareness-training obligatory for lorry drivers.
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1747
This is an area that CTONZ (
This is an area that CTONZ ( Cycle Tour Operators of NZ) have also been working. They have operating protocols with groups representing trucks and buses with some good guidelines on improving safety around cycle touring groups.
However, not all of them are applicable to cyclists in general. For example, a commitment to using a support vehicle at the rear of a group of cyclists to warn drivers of the presence of a cycling group. There's a historic irony to this. The first motor vehicles have to have a warning pedestrian travel in front of them!
Above tips are useful full
Above tips are useful full for the new drivers and by following those tips driver able to minimize the risk of accident happened normally due to not able to see the other vehicle moving along us.
Great Ideas
Agree, the blind spot can be the full length of the vehicle, leaving the driver unable to see anyone cycling beside them on the left.
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Don't risk your life by
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