Spotlight on… cycle safety aims to raise awareness of cycle safety and reduce accidents between cyclists and construction traffic...
Spotlight on… cycle safety aims to raise awareness of cycle safety and reduce accidents between cyclists and construction traffic...
Many construction sites are already taking action to reduce the risks to cyclists but the whole industry needs to come together and collectively address the issue. It is the responsibility of every construction site to do what they can to ensure the safety of cyclists around construction activity.
The issue of cycle safety has received, and will continue to receive, much attention as the UK’s cities encourage the use of bicycles. Former Mayor Boris Johnson wanted London to be a ‘cyclised city’, where people could ride their bikes safely in a pleasant environment. With other cities following suit, it is important that the construction industry is seen to be taking a proactive approach, and leading the way in promoting safe cycling.
The industry’s enthusiastic uptake of the Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS) initiative is a sign of how the industry is seeking to embed good practice and drive change in construction logistics to ensure the safety of our roads. However, cycling deaths are still too high and the Scheme would like to take this opportunity to ask the industry to consider how its activities may have an impact on cyclists.
The focus on cycling does not just simply consider safety either. Cycling is a great form of physical exercise and should be an activity that is encouraged both in leisure time and also as a means of transport. The industry should maintain an encouraging and positive attitude towards healthy living for their workforce; cycling is a great addition to consider when keeping fit.
An increase in cycling as a form of transport is also beneficial for the environment and the community. Less vehicles on the road means less pollution and emissions which helps reduce the impact to the environment. It also means less traffic on the roads, which reduces the frustration for other local road users and also reduces the risk of accidents between vehicles. Of course these must be recognised as additional benefits with the safety of such cyclists coming first.
Here are a few facts on cycling and cycling related accidents from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ 2017 Policy Paper:
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Cycle safety is maintained through all road users following the law and legislation of road safety. The following law and legislation below highlights exactly how issues within this topic can cross over into a legal matter...
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There are a number of cycling safety campaigns currently running in the UK, with each one designed to raise awareness of the dangers of cycling on public roads. These campaigns provide information, resources and advice on cycle safety and ways of taking action to prevent accidents...
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The Scheme aims to improve the image of construction through sharing best practice with the industry. Please find a number of best practice initiatives that have been witnessed by the Scheme's Monitors which are designed to help construction sites minimise the risks to cyclists. These examples are just a small selection of the many initiatives that UK construction sites currently have in place to help reduce the number of cycling related accidents:
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Case studies are excellent ways of witnessing just how companies in the industry are managing the issue. Take a look at these recorded examples provided by some of the highest performing contractors in the industry...
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It is vitally important that the industry recognises this issue and continues to take action, and that everyone working in construction considers how their site and its activities, such as deliveries, parking, unloading etc. may impact on cyclists.
You will find below some helpful advice on what can be done to be better prepared and better organised regarding cycle safety:
A Traffic Management Plan should be established during the planning phase of the project which considers both on-site and off-site activity. This should give particular reference to cycle routes, areas to avoid and delivery times. A traffic marshal should be present to regulate this plan, ensure a presence and respond to any incidents or safety hazards immediately.
Road safety training should be provided to all operatives as part of their induction. Even for employees that do not operate vehicles or use bicycles, it is still highly beneficial to understand how to maintain an awareness on and around roads and follow the guidelines. It is highly recommended to visit the governmental initiative; Construction Logistics and Cycle Safety (CLOCS).
Establish a visible presence within the site office and welfare facilities for employees as well as on hoarding for the general public and visitors. This can be promoted through posters, flyers, documentation and any other resources that provide useful information.
As well as the information above, it is also advised to use the resources provided in the ‘External resources’ section of this campaign, which offers a plentiful amount of resources from other organisations and companies that cover the full spectrum of the topic.
The Scheme hopes that the information made available from those organisations listed in this article will help construction sites and companies implement initiatives which raise awareness of cycle safety, and ultimately help reduce the number of construction-related accidents.
It is important to remember that the onus of cycle safety does not rest solely on the actions of construction sites and their activities. It is also the responsibility of the cyclists and other road users to play their part in being safe and responsible around construction activity. The Scheme encourages the industry to engage with the cycling community and work together to understand each other’s challenges.
Date published: July 1 2013
Last updated: February 8 2018
The Scheme aims to improve the image of construction through sharing best practice with the industry. Please find below a number of best practice initiatives that have been witnessed by the Scheme’s Monitors which are designed to help construction sites minimise the risks to cyclists. These examples are just a small selection of the many initiatives that UK construction sites currently have in place to help reduce the number of cycling related accidents:
Since the pandemic started the project team have taken measures to encourage the use of bicycle to travel around London, therefore having less site works using public transport. On a daily basis around 50 site workers use the projects bike store, with a large number of the workforce using Santander Cycles. Therefore, to promote safety they have been promoting TFL’s…
The project team at Langley Grammar School have sponsored the ‘Outside your school’ Road Safety Campaign in the Slough area. The funding pays for: Campaign posters, materials and communications. Pages on multiple campaign websites. Multiple Twitter campaign announcements. Multiple Facebook campaign announcements. The campaign aims to combat the prevalence of dangerous and inappropriate driver behaviour in the vicinity of schools,…
The project team recently had a member of the community, a London cyclist that travels past the Hackney site on a regular basis, travel in one of their HGV’s around London and the surrounding areas to show how they help to keep other road users safe. The cyclist commented: “This morning I have had the experience of sitting in the…
The Mayor, through TfL, is working with London boroughs, businesses and the freight and servicing industry to reduce the adverse impacts of freight and service vehicles on the street network. The aims are to reduce the number of lorries and vans entering central London in the morning peak by 10 per cent by 2026 and incorporating cargo bikes can help…
Cargo bikes are bicycles that have been specifically designed to carry goods of various sizes and weights. The bicycles come in a variety of forms between two, three and four wheeled custom-built frames. Many bikes are now fitted with electric pedal assist motors to help riders manage their daily activities. The Mayor, through TfL, is working with London boroughs, businesses…
Cycling is a fundamental element towards attaining a healthier lifestyle and benefits from the negative pollution normally associated with motor vehicles. However, there are numerous barriers to cycling especially during roadworks. For many people, lack of confidence and feelings of vulnerability are common reasons for not cycling. To encourage more cycling, Transport for London (TfL) is constructing more cycle networks….
The Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy, published in 2018, sets out a vision for a healthier, greener and more prosperous city. The strategy makes clear that a new type of thinking is required to increase active, efficient and sustainable travel to help achieve this vision for London. The strategy uses the ‘Healthy Streets’ approach which makes health and personal experience…
To further encourage personnel to cycle to work, we installed a bicycle service station, which has a pump and a whole range of tethered tools to repair or service any type of bicycle. The service station also has a bracket on which to place one’s bicycle, to negate the need to bend down. This makes it much easier and safer…
Transport for London (TfL), London Borough of Hackney and JRL collaborated to reduce the negative impacts caused by challenging road layouts and the associated lengthy diversions for HGVs. Lorries and vans play a pivotal part in London’s economy and are a necessary part of construction. Since 2010, the movements of goods vehicles have increased by approximately 20%, which is negatively…
This major concrete pour was successfully completed over the weekend of 29th November 2019 with minimal disruption to the network, no reported safety issues and 16 hours ahead of schedule. 533 lorries delivered 4000m3 of concrete non-stop over 31 hours from 7pm on Friday until 2am on Sunday. TfL’s Network Management Team worked meticulously with main contractor Multiplex to: Agree…
When planning our compound and hoarding, it became evident that the vehicles exiting the neighbouring building would not have a clear view of oncoming cyclists in the cycle lane. There would be an elevated risk to cyclists due to our hoarding and pedestrian walkway. A camera was installed which relays live images of the bicycle lane to vehicles at the…
Ahead of National Road Safety Week, over 1,000 local school children enjoyed a day of interactive workshops and classes to teach them about staying safe as cyclists and pedestrians. The team from Southall Waterside, including representatives from Berkeley and building materials supplier CEMEX, visited three primary schools in Southall in their third annual road safety campaign. The events also marked…
Each year around 4,000 people are killed or seriously injured on London’s roads. People walking, cycling or riding motorcycles make up 80% of deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads. In July 2018, the Mayor of London, Transport for London (TfL) and the Metropolitan Police launched a bold ‘Vision Zero Action Plan’ to end the toll of deaths and serious…
Transport for London (TfL) have adopted the Healthy Streets Approach to improve air quality, reduce congestion and help make London’s diverse communities greener, healthier and more attractive places to live, work and enjoy. The vision for equality and inclusion is that every person matters in keeping London moving, working and growing. TfL also recognises the role of transport in improving…
Education of cyclists about their interaction with delivery lorries was taken to the next level at the cycle safety day which this site ran for the benefit of University students. Using the technology that Google use to capture information to create street view, a recording was made of a delivery vehicle’s journey from the M40 through Oxford city centre to…
In order to raise awareness of vulnerable road users and manage large-scale, just-in-time deliveries of larger steel frame elements and in-situ concrete deliveries to site in a safe manner, the site team have developed an innovative ‘crash map’. This map draws on information captured from Transport Scotland’s database, to alert and highlight the numerous major traffic accident black-spots leading into…
Londoners are facing the same health challenges as people across the UK with ‘lifestyle’ diseases such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease on the rise. Such conditions can take a toll on health and life expectancy. A leading cause of illness and early death among Londoners today is physical inactivity. Transport can play a significant role in enabling people to…
London is in breach of European legal limits for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), and many areas exceed the safe limits for Particulate Matter (PM) set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Pollution is a contributing factor in shortening the life expectancy of Londoners and disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable. Approximately 9,500 deaths occur each year due to the illnesses caused by…
Due to increased motoring costs, traffic congestion and the use of bike to work schemes there has been a huge increase in the amount of cyclists using the roads. The Staying alive at 1.5 stickers were incorporated into a Tool Box Talk at the PDM Plant Upgrade Project and was issued to the workforce promoting the virtues of not overtaking…
Transport for London (TfL) have adopted the Healthy Streets Approach to help make London’s diverse communities greener, healthier and more attractive places to live, work, play and do business. Part of the Healthy Streets approach is to encourage more walking, cycling and use of public transport. To maintain these aspirations we require assistance from all our partners and stakeholders. London’s…
We work closely with the Metropolitan Police and their Exchanging Places cycle safety programme. Due to our great working relationship, the Met Police Cycle Safety Team asked for our assistance with a trial of their new virtual reality Exchanging Places program and we were happy to help. The trial consisted of a short presentation and a 3D video delivered in…
Community safety should be at the heart of a considerate construction project. Cycle safety is a key element of community safety, and sites should seek to raise awareness of this topic among the public and their workforce. See the examples below for how one site addressed this: The site acknowledged there was a large number of cyclists both commuting to…
Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS) is a national standard which brings together the construction logistics industry to revolutionise the management of Work Related Road Risk (WRRR) and embed a road safety culture across the industry. The CLOCS Standard calls for the construction industry to recognise its responsibilities for vehicles and drivers delivering to and collecting from construction sites. The Considerate Constructors…
We have created simple safety stickers for van drivers to stick on the back of their vans to warn cyclists about passing vans on the left. This has been received very well by the drivers. Plus as they are fitting the warning notice/stickers, it has made then more aware and vigilant of other road users. We have noticed some older…
In 2014-15, HGVs were involved in 25% of pedestrian fatalities and 60% of cyclist fatalities. The long term impacts from Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM10), of which a large proportion comes from HGVs, are the cause for over 9,000 deaths each year in London. Negative impacts can often occur when loading facilities are either poorly designed or can…
Volvo Trucks Accident Research team has undertaken research based on real life accidents, which clearly shows that 90% of all traffic accidents are due to human factors, including lack of knowledge, inattention and misjudgements. To address these issues, Volvo Trucks has developed a safety campaign – called ‘See and Be Seen’ – to educate vulnerable road users how to be…
Spotlight on… posters have been designed for general display in and around site welfare facilities. The Scheme has developed a collection of A3 posters from the series of ‘Spotlight on…’ awareness campaigns. This resource has proven valuable for display on site and raising awareness amongst the workforce and visitors. To purchase these products, click here. To download a free electronic…
For a second year running, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and ITN Productions have produced a news and current affairs-style programme, introduced by national newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky. The film highlights how leading construction clients, contractors and fleet operators such as Land Securities, Mace and Tarmac are fulfilling their CDM (Construction Design and Management Regulations) responsibilities through training and the…
Knowing how important cycling is in Walthamstow with the Mini Holland cycling infrastructure scheme, when we started a new project in Walthamstow, not far from Blackhorse Road tube station, we decided that we would do a road safety event to show local cyclists we are considerate to them but also allow them to have the chance to sit in one…
Sharing the Scheme’s aim to raise awareness of cycle safety, Gabriel Square Project is promoting CCS best practice initiative ‘Spotlight on… Cycle Safety’ by creating ‘Cycle Safety Pocket Cards’. The cards outline some very important things every driver must consider. These are issued to all delivery drivers visiting our project; by our traffic marshal: Get your mind in gear before getting…
We provide communal bikes for our projects so that site personnel can use them to visit local shops and cafes. The use of bicycles has the benefits of being environmentally friendly by producing zero CO2, encouraging students to cycle to school and allows individuals to burn more calories after consuming a big English breakfast! Also in partnership with our contractors…
The ‘Spotlight on…’ flyers have been designed for general display in and around site welfare facilities. The Scheme provides a collection of A5 flyers from both past and current ‘Spotlight on…’ awareness campaigns. Each unique flyer contains information on the industry issue and advice on how to tackle it. This resource has proven valuable for display on site and raising awareness amongst…
The Scheme has developed free e-learning courses aimed towards helping registered sites, companies and suppliers understand why it is important to be considerate towards the workforce, environment and general public. These courses aim to increase Scheme knowledge as well as helping learners to meet the expectations of the Code of Considerate Practice by focusing on the five sections of the it,…
Innovative methods to minimise your sites carbon footprint should be actively sought. Many large projects have a number of sites working simultaneously, requiring operatives and management to regularly travel to and visit various sites, thus transport between sites is a necessity, often increasing the sites carbon footprint. In response to these requirements and increasing environmental problem, many sites have introduced a cycle scheme, to facilitate transport…
It is the responsibility of every construction site to do what they can to ensure the safety of cyclists around construction activity. Below are examples of how Crossrail have addressed the issue of cycle safety: 3,500 lorry drivers received cyclist awareness training; Additional safety equipment was made mandatory on all lorries and vans working on Crossrail, including blind spot mirrors and…
The last few years have seen a significant number of cyclist accidents and fatalities due to construction traffic. Vehicles and plant should be kept to a suitable standard, with improved warning systems and side protection whenever possible. Below are examples of how sites have tried to reduce the risks associated with construction vehicles and plant, for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians:…
To ensure the safety of cyclists, pedestrians and other road users, sites should take measures to minimise the risk of vehicle or plant movement, on and around site. Speed limits and good visibility at entrances and exits will help drivers to manage vehicles safely. Banksmen should be available to supervise and guide the movement of vehicles and plant as appropriate, to…
Cycle safety is maintained through all road users following the law and legislation of road safety. The following law and legislation below highlights exactly how issues within this topic can cross over into a legal matter:
Amongst other things, this act defines the duties owed by a local authority to keep road networks maintained and cycle ways in a proper state of repair.
Cyclists are permitted to use public roads and are therefore required to abide by the statutory regulations and laws that govern road users. This act outlines all the main motoring offences that apply to both motor vehicle users and cyclists.
This act was designed to improve road safety and help achieve casualty reduction targets, making it a criminal offence to cause death by careless, or inconsiderate driving.
First issued under Section 45 of the Road Traffic Act 1930, providing guidance and instruction for road users, including cyclists.
There are a number of cycling safety campaigns currently running in the UK, with each one designed to raise awareness of the dangers of cycling on public roads. These campaigns provide information, resources and advice on cycle safety and ways of taking action to prevent accidents:
Published 28 September 2020
Spotlight on… coronavirus aims to raise awareness of the health and safety risks and issues associated with the coronavirus pandemic and provide the industry with guidance to stop the spread, protect the workforce and the wider community.Published 2 September 2019
Spotlight on… worker fatigue aims to raise awareness of the health and safety risks associated with fatigue and provides the industry with guidance for addressing this issue…Published 4 February 2019
Spotlight on… plastics and packaging raises awareness of the impact of plastics and packaging on the environment and provides the construction industry with guidance for tackling this issue...Published 8 August 2018
Spotlight on… the next generation provides information and resources to help tackle the skills shortage and encourage young people into construction.Published 23 January 2018
Spotlight on… air pollution raises awareness of the impact of air pollution and provides the industry with advice on tackling the issue...Published 18 September 2017
Spotlight on… women in construction aims to demonstrate why the construction industry should be addressing the issue of attracting more women into the industry...Published 28 March 2017
Spotlight on… illegal workers aims to increase understanding of the risk posed by illegal construction workers, and identify what can be done to tackle the problem...Published 22 June 2016
Spotlight on… drugs and alcohol aims to raise awareness of the health and safety risks associated with the topic and how it impacts the construction industry...Published 8 September 2015
Spotlight on… occupational cancers aims to raise awareness of the health risks involved in construction work, specifically those relating to occupational cancers within the sector...Published 23 March 2015
Spotlight on… mental health aims to raise awareness of how mental health can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, religion or ethnicity and can cause stress, anxiety and depression...Published 14 October 2014
Spotlight on… language focuses on inappropriate, offensive and foul language used in the construction industry and how it could cause offence to both those working on site and anyone passing-by...Published 7 March 2014
Spotlight on… apprenticeships intends to highlight the importance of apprenticeships, and the benefits to employers, the individuals and the wider community...Published 1 July 2013
Spotlight on… cycle safety aims to raise awareness of cycle safety and reduce accidents between cyclists and construction traffic...