• Construction Industry Cycling Commission was set up to improve road safety for cyclists in relation to construction heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) which are responsible for a disproportionate number of cycle deaths
• 10-point manifesto launched today covers action areas for both the construction industry and other road users
• The CICC calls on members of the construction industry to follow the manifesto recommendations

 

The Construction Industry Cycling Commission (CICC) has today published a 10-point manifesto for change to improve road safety for cyclists. The CICC, set up in early 2015 and made up of senior figures from the property industry including constructors, developers and architects, is calling for companies in the industry across the UK to commit to these recommendations, in order to reduce the number of cycle deaths caused by HGVs.

 

The manifesto has been developed based on key findings from CICC-commissioned research with transport planning consultancy, Phil Jones Associates and TMS Consultancy Ltd. With an initial focus on London, key research findings revealed that:

 

• Whilst HGVs only account for 3.5% of traffic across London, they are involved in 57% of crashes in which a cyclist has been killed (2007 – 2014). Many of those accidents are with HGVs involved in construction activities
• 76% of collisions occurred at junctions
• 62% of cycle fatalities at traffic signals involve large vehicles turning left or moving off, with most cyclists being struck by the front or nearside of the vehicle

 

The main points of the CICC manifesto are:

 

• For investment in safer vehicles to be made ahead of regulation

 

• For the industry – large and small organisations – to adopt the Construction Logistics and Cyclist Safety (CLOCS) standard as a default requirement on all construction schemes (see Notes to Editors)

 

• For cycle safety to be part of the Considerate Constructors’ accreditation

 

• For all property professionals, developers and contractors to recognise health and safety on the road as important as it is on site

 

• That local authorities use Section 106 agreements to enforce safety measures

 

• For property developers to use hoarding and wraps of new developments to deploy helpful safety advice for cyclists and drivers as part of a nationwide public information programmes

 

Commenting on the launch of the manifesto, Mike Hussey, CICC Chairman and CEO of Almacantar said, “The level of cycling accidents in the UK is simply unacceptable. The CICC’s manifesto for change sets out clear ways we can improve cycle safety. As an industry, we have an obligation to improve the dangerous conditions cyclists face, so I urge our peers to join us and commit to our recommendations.”

 

Peter Murray, CICC Founding Member and Chairman of New London Architecture said, “The safety of cyclists in London and throughout the UK is something that CICC members feel passionately about. Whilst we all need to play our part in ensuring safer conditions for cyclists, the construction industry has particular responsibilities which it takes very seriously. For the first time, we have all come together as an industry and are pleased to be providing real solutions to tackling the challenge.”