{"id":178652,"date":"2020-07-15T13:18:31","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T13:18:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=178652"},"modified":"2020-07-15T13:18:31","modified_gmt":"2020-07-15T13:18:31","slug":"cyclists-and-trucks-how-to-safely-share-the-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2020\/07\/15\/cyclists-and-trucks-how-to-safely-share-the-road\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Safely Share the Road with Truck Drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Heavy shipping vehicles pose a significant threat to the urban cyclist. According to several studies conducted across European cities, the presence of trucks turned out to increase accident risk and cycling accidents involving a truck are more likely to have more severe consequences.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trucks responsible for up to 25 % of cyclists’ deaths<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The European Union accident database, CARE<\/a>, recorded 283 cyclist fatalities caused by truck drivers in 2015. That number accounted for nearly 14 % of all biking fatalities in the EU that year. Yet the rate grew to almost 25 % in countries like Denmark, Estonia, Ireland or Slovakia. The worst percentage is currently in London where lorries have been identified as the most frequent vehicle involved in the death of cyclists in over two decades. Why are trucks increasingly dangerous for cyclists? What can people on bicycles do to protect themselves efficiently in dense city traffic?<\/p>\n

\"Cyclists
A cyclist on one of the new Cycle Superhighways, in this case the CS7 that goes from Southwark bridge to Tooting. \u00a9 Profimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Incorrect assumptions and frequent mistakes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The conducted studies identified the most notable risk factors leading to truck-bicycle accidents. Among the most frequently cited reasons belong the cyclists’ incorrect assumption about the ability of the truck driver to see them and the wrong expectations of how the trucks will navigate through the streets. On the drivers’ side, improperly-adjusted side mirrors and the lack of awareness regarding possible blind spots were highlighted among the most relevant failures.<\/p>\n

Since cyclists are inevitably going to share the road with trucks in the upcoming years, it would help them to understand how drivers see this environment from their point of view. Despite being professional and highly skilled, drivers are just humans, which makes them fallible. Given the sheer mass of their heavy goods vehicles, the tiniest oversight might have fatal consequences if a bicycle is involved.<\/p>\n

\"Cyclists
Junction in London \u00a9 Profimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cyclists, give trucks space<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Since only a few cyclists have ever had a chance to drive a truck, they tend to underestimate their assumptions about the big vehicle’s manoeuvrability. When turning, a truck (or, more precisely, some part of the trailer) might swing into the intended route of a passing cyclist which is the exact moment they end up being hit. Learning to anticipate the moves of a truck is the most secure way how to prevent a collision. In busy cities, the drivers of big lorries experience trouble when trying to fit into narrow streets, especially when turning. If you spot them indicating a turn, no matter if left or right, slow down and let them follow through the manoeuvre first. The size of their vehicle doesn’t mean they have more road rights than you but you’ll probably spot them first \u2013 before the driver knows you\u2019re there. Trying to squeeze alongside when you see them changing direction is a pointless risk for everyone involved.<\/p>\n

Rows over blind spots<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A lot has been said about the blind spots of cars<\/a>. With trucks, it’s even more complicated as their cabs are elevated above the ground level. The basic piece of advice says that if you can’t see the driver in any of their mirrors, the chance is that the driver can’t see you either. A picture showing trucks\u2019 blind spots spread through social media, recently. In the picture, people gathered in yellow areas around the vehicle were marked as invisible the driver. These areas were surprisingly large not only in front and behind the truck but also on the sides. That’s why drivers warn cyclists about attempting to undertake them, even if they’re using a bike lane.<\/p>\n

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Large trucks and buses have huge blind spots, or \u201cNo Zones.\u201d If you can\u2019t see the driver in the vehicle\u2019s side mirror, assume the driver can\u2019t see you! #OurRoads<\/a>
FMCSA-2017 pic.twitter.com\/1z6nYaRm9M<\/a><\/p>\n

— Minuteman Trucks (@minutemantrucks) December 28, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n