When Hammersmith & Fulham Council is holding a road safety event to encourage better understanding between cyclists and lorry drivers, as part of a national campaign called ‘Exchanging Places’.

On Wednesday, September 14, from 7.30am to 11am in Beadon Road, Hammersmith, council officers, local police and officers from the Met Police’s cycle tasking team will be on hand to offer advice to cyclists about how to travel safely near large lorries and heavy goods vehicles.

The event, in front of the Hammersmith &  City Line London Undergound Station, will give cyclists the chance to sit in the driver's seat of a HGV and talk to the driver about safety risks, in particular blind-spots. They will also be giving advice and information about cycling in general, handing out local cycling maps and giving free bike maintenance check-ups.

Cllr Nick Botterill, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, said: “Cycling can help relieve some of the pressures on our congested roads and jam-packed tubes, and we have a growing number of residents and commuters in the borough cycling to work. Cycling can also reduce pollution and it gives residents another option when choosing how to get around.

“This scheme gives people information about the potential dangers they can face on the road but more importantly about how to stay safe and enjoy a bike ride through the borough.”

For more information on cycling and staying safe on the borough’s roads, visit the council's road safety page..

September 9, 2011