Initiative Aims To Improve Road Safety Standards

A unique scheme aimed at giving cyclists and lorry drivers an opportunity to spend a day in the other group's shoes has been deemed a success.

Almost 850 cyclists took part in the 'Exchanging Places' programme run by Crossrail and the Metropolitan Police Service at the recent London Bike Show.

The ultimate aim of the initiative was to improve road safety standards by giving bike users an idea of what heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers can and cannot see on the roads.

The Exchanging Places programme received positive feedback and schemes of this nature could be part of the long-term solution to improving road safety across the UK.

Chief Superintendent Sultan Taylor of Safer Transport Command commented: "Exchanging Places is an award-winning programme which addresses the most common cause of serious injury and death to cyclists - collisions involving a HGV.

"Our feedback shows that everyone who took part will recommend our programme to their friends - that's a great endorsement."

Steve Hails, health and safety director at Crossrail, added that Exchanging Places is an important way of engaging cyclists and lorry drivers and fits in with other initiatives run by the company.

"These events complement Crossrail's Lorry Driver Training Programme which also ensures that drivers on the project are aware of vulnerable road users," he added.

The debate over cyclist safety continues to rumble on in the UK, with MPs, councils, campaign groups and law enforcement officials arguing over the best ways to offer greater protection to bikers - particularly in light of the spate of cyclist fatalities in London in November 2013.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson recently announced plans to ban HGVs that are not fitted with protective equipment from entering the city.

Crossrail has also implemented policies that dictate that all trucks delivering to the organisation must have safety measures in place and drivers should have also attended a one-day training course on how to look out for vulnerable road users.

Expert Opinion

What a fantastic scheme the ‘Exchanging Places’ programme has been. The real proof of its success however, will be if we see a reduction in serious injuries and death to cyclists who have had a collision involving a HGV throughout 2014 and beyond. <br/> <br/>“It is a great step forward that cyclists can understand what view a HGV might have as well as giving HGV drivers the opportunity to appreciate how vulnerable cyclists are. <br/> <br/>“We sadly see a lot of cases where cyclists suffer severe or life-changing injuries leaving them needing extensive care and rehabilitation, so we welcome any initiative that aims to increase the understanding between road users and improve safety.” <br/> Colin Ettinger - Consultant