In April last year, cyclist Tsk Fok was killed by a rubbish truck turning left from Broad Street into Parks Road. The courts have just ruled that this was an accident caused by careless driving - the driver, Trevor Ashworth, didn't see Fok because the truck's mirror was not adjusted properly.

The judge said Ashworth had driven without due care and attention because he had failed to notice his faulty mirror, although he also said that Fok should have waited for the truck to turn before he set off from the traffic lights. There is understandable outrage among cyclists about the £500 fine and eight-month driving ban.

This seems to most an extraordinarily light sentence, which sends out the message that life is cheap. A heavier fine may force drivers to take more notice of the condition of their vehicles before driving.

However, to put the sentence into context, the driver who infamously ran over and killed four cyclists in north Wales two years ago was fined just £180 with £35 costs, and given six points on his licence after admitting having defective tyres.

On the bright side, both councils appear to be taking heed. The county council has starting a publicity campaign to make cyclists and HGV drivers more aware.

This campaign is vital. Apparently, a message to cyclists is appearing on the back of trucks. Assuming the message warns cyclists never to cut inside an HGV or a bus, then it's welcome. After all, 80 per cent of cyclist deaths are caused by HGVs, the majority of which involve an HGV turning left and running over a cyclist.

The council has also produced a useful leaflet aimed at truck drivers and cyclists. It explains that truck mirrors have a blind spot. If you cycle into the blind spot, the driver can't see you. And if the lorry turns left, the consequences are now, sadly, clear.

It urges drivers to turn slowly and to keep checking in their mirrors. It's quite good and I hope it gets out to truckers and cyclists. To get your copy, call 01865 815704.

The city council consulted Cyclox about cyclist-awareness messages for its truck drivers. Drivers need to give cyclists an extra-wide berth. It is pointless to overtake a cyclist only to pull in immediately at a traffic light or other barrier. It is much safer to pull back and give cyclists some room. Of course, by far the most important message is taking extra care when turning left.

Both councils should make sure that all their trucks have under-running sideguards - bars or skirts which allow cyclists and pedestrians to bounce away from the wheels in an accident. Not all of their trucks have them.

With regard to the junction of Broad Street and Parks Road, I was pleased to hear that the county council is looking at solutions along the lines of a raised table with shared priority and no lights, as recommended by Cyclox last year.

In the meantime, the safety of the junction can be immediately improved by installing an advanced stop line (a green box) to allow cyclists to wait ahead of other vehicles at the traffic lights.