Dear Boris, Enough is enough!

There have been a number of tragic rider-down threads recently, many involving HGVs. I have been left feeling angry and sad after hearing of these incidents which sometimes sound so preventable.
I am sure I’m not the only one who has had a tear in their eye especially after reading posts from family and love ones of those who have died.
On the latest thread (http://www.londonfgss.com/thread24674.html) some members have indicated they intend to write to Boris Johnson (Major of London) to try to raise the profile of these incidents to try and improve the safety of cyclists on our streets (e.g. http://www.londonfgss.com/post785732-65.html)

I too want to confront our politicians about these issues but it struck me that maybe a coordinated response from this forum would achieve much more. It is my feeling that to achieve this coordination we may be need to decide on what exactly we want to draw attention to and what we want Boris to do about it.

I have UTFS and the most relevant thread seems to be this: http://www.londonfgss.com/thread23108.html

Instead of repeating all of the arguments contained in that thread I propose that this thread be used simply to facilitate a coordinated email or letter campaign directed at the Major.

So what do we want?..... A petition, a standardised email/letter for each member to send separately or just clarity on the stats and facts so everyone can draft their own letter

And what issues do we focus on? ….. lack of coverage/debate about cyclist deaths, the dangers of HGVs, traffic enforcement, motorist awareness, poor cycle lane design, cyclist awareness etc etc

But of course everyone is an individual, so maybe it’s best if everyone just does their own thing and writes to BJ (if they want) with their own thoughts.What do you think LFGSS?............ Feel free to kick my idea into the weeds!

If you want something to happen, you need to ask for something that they aren't doing. If you don't then all you get is a response assuring you that it is a top priority and that they are doing all they can to improve matters for everyone.

A coordinated response has to stand the best chance of success, .

There has to be such a spread of feeling, it is time politicians were forced into action- firstly, we need a clear & concise objective - clearly reducing road deaths & accidents is the gaol, but what measures are we suggesting?

Individual messages with a consistent appeal is a good idea, possibly combined with some more direct methods?

A list of all the recent incidents would be useful to paste in. Oliver / Charlie - does the LCC keep anything like this?

For my own two cents worth, you want to do something that is very clear and very public. Some time ago, under the Thatcher government someone took exception to the rising levels of unemployment and highlighted the figures on a building over the river from the houses of parliament in order to embaress the prime minister. That person was the Mayor of London (Red Ken) and he was successful, the Conservatives were embaressed.

By all means send letters but contrary to Tiswas' opinion, they can be filed away, very easily if the London council is doing anything at all about the matter and they are. What you need is the kind of support that is unignorable. What is really needed here is a well marketed campaign with a clear plan of action and a result in mind. You can't just go up to a council and say we don't like it, make it stop because they can't and therefore don't have to try.

has every one seen this thread?

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread24553.html

What about boris almost getting knocked out by a hgv himself and inculding that?

I think that it would be too easy to ignore the weight of feeling behind this if any standardised template is used. If, however, there were a concerted effort from a large body of people, each sending individual messages, then provided the facts and figures used were consistent, I cannot see them just being filed away.

I agree personal messages will always carry more weight than a standardised one or a petition,

A coordinated response has to stand the best chance of success, .
Individual messages with a consistent appeal is a good idea, possibly combined with some more direct methods?

A list of all the recent incidents would be useful to paste in. Oliver / Charlie - does the LCC keep anything like this?

I think it is essential to keep the message consistant and the facts/stats accurate.

For my own two cents worth, you want to do something that is very clear and very public.

has every one seen this thread?

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread24553.html

I think a coordinated approach is important. Maybe if we encouraged people to write a personal letter to Boris we could collect them up and deliver them in bulk during one of these protest rides.

A list of incidents with links to rider down threads on different forums to show how people feel?

I agree personal messages will always carry more weight than a standardised one or a petition,

I think it is essential to keep the message consistant and the facts/stats accurate.

I think a coordinated approach is important. Maybe if we encouraged people to write a personal letter to Boris we could collect them up and deliver them in bulk during one of these protest rides.

You could, but that would be a flash in the pan protest. It lasts for a day, there's a statement from the campaigners, a bit of handwringing from the politicians and that's it. A couple days later, something else is news and all if forgotten. If a campaign isn't well organised and sustained it may have the best of intentions but ultimately will be good for fuck all. The only way to do this is to play the long game. Question is, are you prepared to make that kind of commitment or will your desire for change wane by the closing credits of Neighbours?

Question is, are you prepared to make that kind of commitment or will your desire for change wane by the closing credits of Neighbours?

My motivation for posting here wasn't to put myself forward as a campaign leader! However, I have had a growing feeling that I could be doing more to raise awareness of these issues. I noticed a few people were thinking about writing to Boris and I thought I would raise the possibility that these could be coordinated to greater affect and it seems I am not the only one http://www.londonfgss.com/post786144-92.html

Fair enough, you don't have to take up the mantle of campaign leader to make a difference. But if there were a campaign, you absolutely should be in it for the long haul. Doing one easy thing isn't enough to change anything, there needs to be commitment and occaisionally sacrifice. I'm tired of seeing these one shot Earth Day style campaigns that people buy into to make themselves feel better about something. They end up meaning nothing.

I think it would be better to get behind an existing campaign, as mentioned in my previous post. They are not going to ban HGV in London and so people may as well back campaigns getting both drivers and cyclists more aware and better trained. There is also a lot that could be done such as getting wheel guards fitted as standard as this reduces the chance of people getting pulled under.....

sorry, previous post was in another thread , I am talking about this http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1399.

Maybe if everyone lobbied Boris to push this through it might be taken up by more Boroughs

Fair enough, you don't have to take up the mantle of campaign leader to make a difference. But if there were a campaign, you absolutely should be in it for the long haul. Doing one easy thing isn't enough to change anything, there needs to be commitment and occaisionally sacrifice. I'm tired of seeing these one shot Earth Day style campaigns that people buy into to make themselves feel better about something. They end up meaning nothing.

I am in total agreement with you. And I like to think I am of strong enough character not to require another 'Rider Down' thread to remind me of my responsibilities as part of this community

That LCC campaign is missing the target.
These women are not being killed by professional lorry drivers working for transport companies. They are being killed by part-time lorry drivers in construction industry dumper trucks, or council bin wagons

As to what we ask for, I suggest we ask for these vehicles to be banned from London streets between the hours of 7am and 7pm

council bin wagon drivers are on the list of people getting training as are any other drivers who work for the council

I have a question. What, exactly, do we want to be done? I realise we would like to reduce traffic fatalities, but what steps can the government take to help with this.

Please note, I am not meaning to imply the gov't can't do anything, nor am I meaning to imply that these posts are all empty rhetoric. I am actually curious and would like to know what some of the ideas are. Because, if they sound like good ideas (or feasible ideas), then I'll sign on and send my letter or do whatever else.

But as it stands, I'm not so sure I understand what we're after.

I guess in a nut shell you either want a total HGV ban in the week or better training for drivers and cyclists. I cannot see how a ban would work, how would you deal with rubbish and basic services? In which case its pretty clear to me that safety mearures such as wheel guards should be mandatory in the city , councils and industry should be mandated to train drivers and cycling awareness training should be provided for free for cyclists.

I guess in a nut shell you either want a total HGV ban in the week or better training for drivers and cyclists. I cannot see how a ban would work, how would you deal with rubbish and basic services? In which case its pretty clear to me that safety mearures such as wheel guards should be mandatory in the city , councils and industry should be mandated to train drivers and cycling awareness training should be provided for free for cyclists.

I agree about an HGV ban. Although nice (in some ways), I cannot see that being considered a viable option by the gov't. It would hurt the (already ailing) construction biz, too, I'd think (in addition to the stuff you mentioned).

Training sounds like a great idea. Hell, why not also mandate it for cyclists, too? I know there are training programs out there for cyclists, but maybe making them free (and mandatory) would help. Or not, because then you'd have to enforce it. Training for drivers makes sense. And maybe a lifetime lorry-driving ban for anyone caught driving one who isn't quaified/certificated? Maybe a bit draconian, though.

I think its a very good idea to write a letter with as many signatures as possible. There are already more than 6000 of us on this forum. And that Boris was almost knocked out by a HGV may help.
Problem I see is that one of the main reasons there are so many HGV's on the road is the building of the Olympic Park. I personally don't give a shit about the Olympics if it can safe just one cyclist but its obviously a prestigious Government project.

I agree about an HGV ban. Although nice (in some ways), I cannot see that being considered a viable option by the gov't. It would hurt the (already ailing) construction biz, too, I'd think (in addition to the stuff you mentioned).

Training sounds like a great idea. Hell, why not also mandate it for cyclists, too? I know there are training programs out there for cyclists, but maybe making them free (and mandatory) would help. Or not, because then you'd have to enforce it. Training for drivers makes sense. And maybe a lifetime lorry-driving ban for anyone caught driving one who isn't quaified/certificated? Maybe a bit draconian, though.

The only thing is how many training courses have you been on where you didn't want to go and your company said you had to? You see it like a bit of a jolly - don't pay attention - forget what was said.
I've seen a lot more HGV/PV's that have been retro fitted with large stickers on the left corner of doors, audible warnings and blind spot mirrors etc. I think this is a more cost effective/useful approach, Most drivers would say they already know how to drive, maybe these aids would make it easier to look out for cyclists - Does the government have an incentive to retro fit vehicles?

a petition would be great but a clear manifesto is essential.......we should then deliver it in style.....i say we get a truck and weld a bike to signify every person thats died in the last few year to it, paint it white and drive it to the majors office followed by a thousand cyclists.

I've cycled across London daily for 13 years and I swear this is getting worse......

a petition would be great but a clear manifesto is essential.......we should then deliver it in style.....i say we get a truck and weld a bike to signify every person thats died in the last few year to it, paint it white and drive it to the majors office followed by a thousand cyclists.

I've cycled across London daily for 13 years and I swear this is getting worse......

Or drive it right into the Majors office...

I've seen a lot more HGV/PV's that have been retro fitted with large stickers on the left corner of doors, audible warnings and blind spot mirrors etc. I think this is a more cost effective/useful approach, Most drivers would say they already know how to drive, maybe these aids would make it easier to look out for cyclists -

+1. Special mirrors for HGV's are probably the most cost effective, feasible way of reducing road deaths.