Trixi mirrors/Mirrors at junctions

tomasrojo

Interesting idea.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/16/boris-cycling-traffic-light-mirrors

"Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, is seeking government approval to place mirrors at traffic lights to prevent collisions by revealing cyclists and pedestrians hidden in lorries' blind spots."

Johnson's dedication to promoting cycling appears to be genuine. I'm quite impressed with Dempsey here as well, but that's based on good intentions rather than achievement so far.

daymobrew

Last month, the mayor inadvertently drew attention to the need to improve cycle safety after experiencing a close shave with a lorry as he and his team were out on their bikes inspecting cycling facilities.

Charlie Lloyd, LCC's cycling development officer and a former HGV driver, welcomed the mirrors plan but said that it was also important to educate lorry drivers about coping with their blind spots.

I think that cyclists also need to be educated about the dangers of being on the left side of a left turning truck.
This includes Boris and his team.

tomasrojo

Actually did you see the CCTV footage? It wasn't a typical left-hook or anything like that. The truck passed them on a straight-ish section of road at some speed. The the rear door of the truck flew open, speared a parked car on the opposite side of the road, lifted it out of its parking space and hurled it at Johnson and his colleagues. Complete freak accident.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW6RRl9OYHs

Bunnyhopper

Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, is seeking government approval to place mirrors at traffic lights to prevent collisions by revealing cyclists and pedestrians hidden in lorries' blind spots.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/16/boris-cycling-traffic-light-mirrors

This strikes me as quite a good idea (particularly given the apparent reluctance of many haulage companies to spend a few bob on mirrors until they're forced to by law). I can see problems with marker-wielding skangers, and the tendency of Dublin drivers to ignore the advanced stopline wouldn't help, but what do people reckon: could it work in Dublin?

Also, which junctions would you nominate? I'll start the ball rolling with:

1 - Westmoreland Street and Aston Quay


[PS: I did have a quick look for this having been mentioned already, but didn't spot the earlier thread (must practice using the search function...).]

Ryaner

Its quite a good idea although perhaps getting cars to observe the stop lines would be better spent for now.

Wez

Have to say, this does seem like a great idea (low cost, although I'm confident they'll find someway for it to be in the millions..) and I do find myself swinging my head side to side when approaching the front vehicles in the que of traffic, something this could save me from.

Lumen

I don't drive a truck, but surely it would be better to put the mirrors on the vehicle, rather than at every junction the vehicle might go through.

This solution seems a bit like covering Sally Gap with streetlamps so we can ride there at night without carrying lights.

daymobrew

I have merged the "Mirrors at junctions" thread with the "Trixi mirrors" thread that was started on Friday. Exact same mirrors and Guardian article discussed in both.

Lumen

Lumen wrote: »

I don't drive a truck, but surely it would be better to put the mirrors on the vehicle, rather than at every junction the vehicle might go through.

This solution seems a bit like covering Sally Gap with streetlamps so we can ride there at night without carrying lights.

That's true but mirrors fitted to the vehicle are only of use if the driver actually looks at them, however with a mirror next to the traffic lights they'd almost certainly see it.

daymobrew

Deleted User wrote: »

That's true but mirrors fitted to the vehicle are only of use if the driver actually looks at them, however with a mirror next to the traffic lights they'd almost certainly see it.

I'm far more pessimistic - most drivers I see have eyes built right into their heads but some forget to use them. I am not convinced that a mirror right at the traffic lights will fare much better. :cool:

DePurpereWolf

I think educating truck drivers would have more effect. And the extra side-mirrors.

You do have some nutcases, but most cyclists don't like getting under trucks.

Wez

Obviously fitting the big trucks with more mirrors to cover blindspots would help, I think it should be made compulsary as soon as possible (I mean really, how much can a couple of mirrors cost VS the value of life).

But I'd like to have these in place to make my own judgement as to what speed I want to take when approaching a pedestrain crossing for example, or if the truck's edging forward etc.