London Green MEP Jean Lambert has urged cyclists to support candidates who have pledged improvements to London’s cycling infrastructure in this week’s council elections.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s (May 17) ‘Space for Cycling Big Ride’, she said:

“A sustainable transport policy means more facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

“We know that if more people get around the city by bike or on foot it’s better for everyone – both in terms of improving London’s appalling air quality, and the direct health benefits enjoyed by the people concerned.

“I am proud that all the Green Party candidates asked by the London Cycling Campaign support local measures to make cycling safer and easier in their boroughs  – and I hope all the suggested measures can be put in place soon.

“Meanwhile, I hope many thousands of Londoners get out and support tomorrow’s event, which takes place between 11 and 2pm tomorrow across the capital.”

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The new legislation, on the dimensions of trucks in Europe, will force manufactures to improve windows and mirrors to heighten cyclists’ visibility – which in turn could save hundreds of lives in London and across Europe. In 2013 nine of 16 fatalities on London’s roads involved lorries.

MEPs also voted to improve the efficiency of trucks and lorries, and vitally, voted to hold back measures which could pave the way for 25-meter long ‘mega-trucks’ to hit European roads.
Jean Lambert, London’s Green Party MEP, said:
“MEPs have voted today to introduce EU measures which will make cyclists more visible to lorry drivers. These improvements will reduce the number of accidents which sadly occur on our roads.

“In the UK alone, thousands of cyclists are seriously injured on our roads each year. I’m therefore delighted that measures which will improve visibility for lorry drivers have been supported. As a Green MEP, I believe we must do all we can to make our streets safer and cleaner, and this can begin by making roads safer for cyclists.

“I really welcome this vote today: We need to upgrade the cab design of lorries in order to keep vulnerable road users safe. We have seen too many deaths and serious injuries to cyclists on our roads and of the 16 fatalities in London last year, over half involved lorries. Changes such better visibility from the cab, and better wing mirrors will help responsible drivers avoid tragedy.”

The new regulations are expected to come into force in 2016.

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Her intervention comes days before a key vote in the European Parliament on the design of truck cabs which could force manufacturers to improve windows and mirrors to heighten cyclists’ visibility – a move campaigners say could save hundreds of lives across Europe.

Ms Lambert said: “The European Parliament proposals will specify that all lorries must be so-called ‘direct vision lorries’ and have safer cab fronts.

“These improvements will reduce the number of accidents of the capital’s streets, and reduce the impact of those accidents that will still, regrettably, occur.

“In short, they will improve safety for vulnerable road users and I hope the UK Government will join us in supporting these proposals.”

The text on which MEPs will vote can be found here .

For more information, see this London Cycling Campaign blog .

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