With the rebuilding of the Clarendon Shopping Centre coming on apace, and Hansons being the contractor delivering concrete along New Inn Hall Street on UK National Cycle Route 57, now is the time for a critical reminder to all cyclists, especially women, of the danger.
Stay well back behind the truck and in the vision of the driver’s mirrors, so that you can see the driver’s eyes. If you take your hands off the handlebars, the driver knows you are stationary and can make a manoeuvre safely and quickly.
Why do I specifically target women cyclists? Unfortunately the authorities are unwilling to release the vital statistics but it appears to me, with more than 30 years of following cycle safety in the UK, that of all the cyclist fatalities, 80 per cent involve heavy goods vehicles, and of all the different types of HGV, 80 per cent are what are regarded as ‘tipper-style’ trucks.
About 20 per cent of cyclists are female, but they seem to be involved in 80 per cent of cyclist fatalities, usually with the vehicles described above.
I urge readers to discuss the contents of this letter with family, friends, neighbours and loved ones. Do please comment on the 80 per cent ratios.
Life years gained cycling far outweigh those lost in collisions – continue to enjoy cycling.
Simon Banks Oxford
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