A chat this week with Miniclipper MD Peter Masters about the business inevitably lead to discussion about the cycle safety debate, which was reignited this week.
Masters' views were in tune with much of what we hear from Motor Transport readers. He pointed out that not all cyclists are aware of how a lorry behaves when turning, that there is simply too much congestion in London, and that he wasn't convinced that "Boris Bikes" are a great idea in regard roads safety.
Miniclipper is based in Leighton Buzzard and its drivers are regular visitors into London. As with many bosses of logistics firms, Masters is concerned about cycle safety and is actively playing his part in training his drivers to be aware of the risks, and working to improve the fleet's safety (in October Miniclipper became a bronze level member of TfL's Fors scheme).
"If we take on some Crossrail work, we'll of course fit side cameras, as they are a good bit of kit," Masters said, giving the impression they may be seen sooner rather than later on Miniclipper vehicles irrespective.
Masters is of the view that more safety equipment should be standard on trucks from scratch. "You get technology such as reversing sensors etc on most new cars these days so why not [the same level of safety technology] on 18-tonne trucks?" he said. "It wouldn't be that hard to fit side cameras [as standard]."
He is also quite sure that not engaging with the cycling debate and playing his part (even with the additional costs of safety equipment) is not an option.
"I think if we are not seen to be doing the best we can as an industry it will only bode badly for operators," he said. "Cyclists will win [the argument] as cycling ties into green issues and the environmental agenda. We as a industry will end up heavily legislated [on the issue if it is not tackled]."
See FTA's Christopher Snelling's thoughts on the cycling debate.