Exchanging Places
Chief Inspector
Ian Vincent
Metropolitan Police
Exchanging Places
A presentation on good road behaviour and
safer cycling by The Metropolitan Police
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The background
• The number of cyclists on the Capital's streets has
more than doubled (117%) since 2000
• 39% of cyclist fatalities in London (1999-2008)
involved a vehicle over 7.5 tonnes
• In peak hours cyclists can be up to 40% of traffic.
• In 2009 there were 433 cyclists killed or seriously
injured in Greater London, a reduction of 3%.
• 2011: 16 cycle fatalities. 9 involved LGVs
• 2012: 12 to date, 3 LGVs , 1 bus, all on the nearside
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Top causes of cyclist injury
• Going down the nearside of large vehicles may result
in fatal or life changing injuries
• Vehicles changing direction - turning right, left and
changing lane.
• Opening doors of vehicle into the path of a cyclist.
• Cyclists failing to conform to traffic lights.
• Cyclists on the nearside of HGV at junctions when
the vehicle turns left.
• Cyclists entering road from pavement, including
cycling across pedestrian crossings.
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The now
• Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme
• Cycle Super Highways
• Economic effects of the recession
Cycling is getting bigger
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The Metropolitan Police Response
• Creation of the Cycle Task Force to address biggest
disincentives to cycling: road safety & cycle crime.
• Funded by Transport for London
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Cycle Task Force - Security
•One team of officers, using proactive tactics to arrest
cycle thieves.
•PCSOs offering free bike marking and registration.
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Cycle Task Force - Safety
•Two teams of trained Traffic officers, patrolling on cycles.
•Enforcement
•Education
•Engineering
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Enforcement
•Over 7000 offences reported since inception
•Capital Cycle Safe scheme – 1000 issued
•All road users: 24% cyclists, 26% commercial
vehicle drivers, 50% private motor vehicles
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Education
•Exchanging Places
•An opportunity for cyclists to see the view from a lorry
driver's perspective.
•Over 2000 cyclists in past 12 months
•95% say they will change their riding as a result
•97% would recommend it to a friend.
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‘The 300 cyclists who turned up were all invited into the
cab of one of the lorries to get a driver’s view of the road;
it was a revelation. From 10ft up it is impossible to see a
cyclist on the kerbside; even more scarily, it was
impossible to see a cyclist right in front, either. I dread to
think of the number of times I have gone in front of a truck
at a traffic light thinking I was safe. I’ll never do that again.
The police advice? Stay a safe distance behind. What will
overtaking gain you, asked one policeman; three
seconds?’
Eleanor Mills, The Sunday Times, 29 November 2009
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Engineering
•Working with TfL and councils in planning stages of new
cycle routes.
•TfL Junction Review, a result of high-profile collisions.
•Suggest solutions to problem areas.
•Able to use skills and experience as cyclists, lorry
drivers, advanced police drivers & collision investigators
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Cycle Task Force
Working with the Commercial Vehicle Unit
• Supporting a TfL scheme targeting freight operators
that aims to transform freight delivery in London –
offering practical advice and guidance, driving down
collisions and even reducing costs
• Over 3,000 LGV drivers trained as part of their CPC in
cycle awareness
• Members of the CTF or Commercial Vehicle Unit
attend some training days-engagement opportunity
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Commercial Vehicle Unit (CVU)
• 22 Constables and 3 sergeants
• Working from 4 bases around London
• Enormous experience with large goods vehicles and
buses/coaches
• Respond to all personal injury collisions involving pedal
cycles and large vehicles
• Will examine vehicle, driver history and will conduct
company visits to examine transport management activity.
• Part funded by Transport for London, close working with
FORS
Cycle Task Force
• RoadSafe London website
www.met.police.uk/roadsafelondon
• Investigating most serious breaches, captured on
helmet cameras
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Partnership working
• Regular Cycle Safety Meetings and Cycle Risk groups
meeting to discuss recent statistics and trends.
• Hosted by TfL with police and includes groups such as
the London Cycling Campaign and the Cycle Touring
Club of Great Britain.
• Introduced an opportunity for cycle bloggers to meet
police and TfL in a casual environment to discuss
concerns.
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Partnership working
• Several councils delivering LGV driver courses that
include getting drivers out on pedal cycles in London
• Cross Rail delivering LGV driver training that forms
part of the Driver CPC and is heavily focused on cycle
awareness
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When and where are the Exchanging
Places events.
• http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/14799.aspx
• http://content.met.police.uk/Article/Cycle-markingevents/1400005859885/1400005859885
• 20.11 Nov- Victoria Park 0730-1000
• 21.11 London Fields/Martello Terrace Hackney 16001900
• 22.11 London Bridge,Kings College Hosp St 11001400
• 28.11 Stoke Newington Fire Station 1600-1900
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Conclusion
• Partnership Working
• Low or no cost
• Vital to deliver the safety message
• Come and see it in action or get in touch
• Thank you
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Any Questions
• My contact details
• Chief Inspector Ian Vincent
• Ian.Vincent@met.police.uk
• 0207 161 1022
• 0203 054 4470
• 07919 555812
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Freedom of Information Act
Protective Marking
No
Publication Scheme Y/N:N
Title: MPS Cycling Safety
Summary: Presentation regarding police road safety operations involving
cyclists
Branch / OCU: SCO15
Date created: 07/11/12
Review date: 07/11/13
Version:3
Author: Simon Castle PS 194132/ Ian Vincent Chief Insp 181382
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