Drivers get on their bikes as part of new training scheme in Manchester
TFGM launch initiative aimed at increasing cyclist awareness.
Drivers in Greater Manchester are getting on their bikes to see the road through the eyes of cyclists thanks to a new road safety training course from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
Run by cycle training organisation BikeRight!, Safe Urban Driving Lite is aimed at people who regularly drive as part of their job, such as bus drivers, delivery drivers, taxi drivers and drivers of smaller lorries and minibuses.
The course is designed to improve the road awareness of drivers who regularly travel in city centres as part of their daily work.
Safe Urban Driver Lite complements similar courses aimed at LGV drivers.** **By the end of the session drivers will have a better understanding of the movement of cyclists and other vulnerable road users, with the intension of minimising risks when sharing the roads.
Topics tackled in the course include on-road scenarios covering common hazards for cyclists and how to avoid them; visibility at junctions, roundabouts and complex road situations; collision avoidance and defensive driving/riding; and understanding other road users.
Participants also get the chance to experience the road from a cyclist’s perspective by taking part in a cycling session with BikeRight! cycle instructors on streets around Manchester.
Mike Allen, a driver for equipment hire company GAP Group, who attended the course, said: “The number of cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists on city centre roads is increasing so I think this training is an excellent way to help reduce the risks harming them whilst driving in busy urban areas.
“The training was well planned and easy to absorb whilst the practical ‘on-road’ cycle session helps to give drivers a ‘real life’ experience of a cyclist’s perspective.”
Helen Smith, Head of Logistics, Environment and Active Travel at TfGM, said: “Over the last two years we’ve provided safe urban driver training to hundreds of LGV drivers and we’re pleased to extend the training to more people who drive for a living.
“We’ve set ambitious targets to increase the proportion of journeys made by walking and cycling and, as more people get on their bikes, we must continue to make the safety of everyone on our highways a priority.
“We’ve already delivered, and continue to work on, a range of infrastructure projects and activities which make cycling a more attractive and viable travel option and aim to reduce the number of incidents involving cyclists and vehicles.
“We’re also keen to encourage adoption of the CLOCS standard by freight and logistics operators to reduce accidents between larger vehicles and vulnerable road users such as cyclists.
“We’ll be considering changes to our own internal procurement processes to support this initiative further and will be discussing our approach with other public sector organisations.”
Liz Clarke, managing director, BikeRight!, said: “This course has been designed to respond to the needs of drivers who may be self-employed, work for smaller companies, drive non-LGV vehicles and are more likely to use city centre streets as part of their work routes.
“We have found from experience that courses aimed at LGV drivers have a positive impact on road safety, but not necessarily within city centres for the simple reason that LGVs are less prevalent in the city centre than smaller commercial vehicles. With Safe Urban Driving Lite we aim to rectify this situation, creating a safer environment for urban drivers and cyclists alike.”