Truckers get on their bikes as part of FTA road safety scheme

Belfast will see HGV drivers get on the bikes as part of a road safety scheme organised by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and walking and cycling charity Sustrans.

Last year the two organisations teamed up to create a best practice training programme called Safe Urban Driving to help avert collisions with vulnerable road users in an urban environment.

The one day course sees 20 drivers mount their bikes to experience using the road from the perspective of a cyclist in an effort to improve road safety and raise awareness.

Following the success of last year’s event, spaces on two new courses – one taking place today and the other 3rd May – are already fully booked and are set to improve road safety between HGVs and cyclists in Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Seamus Leheny, FTA’s Policy & Membership Manager for Northern Ireland, said: “The feedback from local HGV operators on this road safety initiative has been extremely positive, and we are delighted to be running the scheme in Belfast again this year.  It is vital that as an industry we play our part in improving road safety, especially in Belfast city centre and our other urban areas, and FTA is delighted with the proactive response from members towards this scheme.”

The Driver CPC accredited course was developed by FTA and Sustrans in partnership with Cycle Training UK (CTUK) and is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Belfast Strategic Partnership.

Karen Mawhinney, Sustrans Cycling Skills Co-ordinator said: “We’re really pleased to see the high demand for the Safe Urban Driving course. It’s not that surprising to us as lorry drivers who have already participated have said they enjoyed it and learned a lot. The more awareness training drivers receive, the safer the roads are for cyclists. We all have to learn to share the road.”

A leaflet has also been produced alongside the course that gives helpful safety tips for both cyclists and drivers.

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