LCC heads towards lorry safety fundraising target, but more donations needed

Just six weeks after its launch, London Cycling Campaign (LCC) has achieved half of the £20,000 fundraising target it set itself under its ‘No more lethal lorries campaign,’ but the organisation is calling on more donations to help it combat the threat posed to cyclists by trucks on the capital's streets.

The initiative was launched in September following the deaths of a number of cyclists on the capital’s streets after being struck by lorries., with LCC believing that HGVs account for around half of cyclists’ deaths on London’s streets, despite their accounting for only 5% of traffic in the city.

The campaign group says that a recent accident on the Balls Pond Road, in which a female cyclist was hospitalised with “horrific” injuries after being hit by a lorry that had overtaken her then turned across her path, means “It couldn’t be clearer how vital LCC’s “No More Lethal Lorries” campaign is. Every cyclist killed or seriously injured by a lorry is one too many.”

The money raised will be used to boost LCC’s campaigning, led by its HGV safety expert Charlie Lloyd, who is urging decision-makers to embrace LCC’s five-point danger-reduction plan, with LCC saying: “Your donation will help us ram home the message to politicians that there should be no more deaths and serious injuries from lethal lorries on London's streets.”

LCC is urging decision-makers to embrace LCC’s five-point danger-reduction plan, as follows:

Cyclist-awareness training for drivers
All city lorry drivers should be have ongoing cycle-awareness training, including on-bike experience.

More responsibility on drivers
Authorities must recognise driver responsibility for doing everything practical to reduce risks. Blaming a ‘blind spot’ should be an admission of guilt.

Safer lorry design
Lorries designed for off-road use should be taken off city streets. The best mirrors, cameras and sensors should be fitted as standard.

Higher-quality operators
Quality-assurance schemes such as London’s Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) should be mandatory, and the police encouraged to crack down on rogue operators.

More responsible procurement
Companies must only buy haulage services from reputable firms, with government taking a lead in encouraging best practice.

Donations can be made through the LCC website, which also has a petition calling for compulsory cycle-awareness training for lorry drivers.

LCC isn’t the only organisation in the capital looking to improve the safety of cyclists around HGVs. Earlier this week, we reported how TfL’s autumn safety campaign revolves around providing cycle awareness training to lorry drivers, as well as the availability of training to new or inexperienced cyclists.