Cyclists urge lorry safety moves

Campaigners are calling for better training for lorry drivers amid claims that half of cyclists' deaths in London are caused by left-turning lorries.

It follows the death last year of cyclist Harriet Tory who was killed when she collided with a lorry.

Her colleagues at London firm Arete Research want restricted hours for lorry deliveries and better training.

Hauliers say their drivers do several tests and regulations stop them from driving at night.

Transport for London (TfL) agreed more proper training was needed but said it was making progress and fatalities were falling. In 2004 eight cyclists died on the roads in London.

Tougher legislation

Chris Lines, of TfL, said it was about making sure cyclists were aware of the dangers.

"It's about getting the message through to more companies that run HGV fleets in London to make sure their drivers are properly trained," he said.

Bicycle courier Bill Chidley agreed tougher legislation was needed in the UK.

He said: "In Scandinavian countries cyclists' deaths on the road are practically unknown - in other words HGVs in Scandinavian countries do not run over cyclists."

Harriet Tory, co-founder of Arete Research, died in a bicycle accident on 18 November 2005 near the company's offices in central London.