Recent HGV/cyclist accidents

No, but you're not being realistic in the sense that you seem to be convinced that the status quo is not only something we must currently acknowledge, but something that is acceptable.

The answer is BOTH.
And long-term goals SHOULD be considered, as well as addressing whatever immediate concerns that we can.

That's not pessimistic, that's logical: probability, innit.
This is why we need to look not just at educating people of the current dangers, but also the bigger picture and to establish some long term goals to make the roads safer for this increase in traffic.

Yes, no one here denies that educating cyclists and drivers is important.

We can all agree that even educated people are liable to occasionally make a mistake.
This is precisely why a small percentage of road users-- HGVs-- should have certain restrictions imposed so that the majority of people (i.e., those not driving HGVs) have option to a fair and safer share of the road.

The fact is that HGV's are more difficult to manoeuvre, and cannot react as quickly as other vehicles (hence the lower speed limits).
The drivers have difficulty seeing, and other road-sharers have difficulty both being seen, and seeing around these vehicles.
Not only that, but it does seem that being hit by an HGV carries a higher chance of fatality than collisions with other vehicles.
The probability of injury and or death by such vehicles would certainly be reduced by restricting them from heavily trafficked areas during peak hours.

OK I think we're starting to converge here, I totally agree with you, I just don't hold much hope with achieving the reduction in HGVs. However, I support any tracks made in that direction because it's definitely a very good thing.

I feel I may have made some enemies on here within this thread....

Just for clarification, when I expressed my "forbidding" actions to my girlfriend, I didn't mean this in a sexist way whatsoever, I just used this example because I believe she is the classic case of the most vulnerable cyclist on London's roads. I don't think just because she's a girl she can't ride well, I thought I explained my reasons later in that post. If I was a girl, and she was a boy and it was the same situation I would feel the same way. And it's not her fault either, she listens to her parents who unfortunately teach her the wrong thing. Despite the fact I clearly have more cycling experience than either of them, she thinks her dad knows whats going on because he's French and he used to sit on the side of the road and watch TdF go past....