Joining forces
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Knights of Old and a professional cycling team aim to educate drivers and cyclists about the dangers they pose to each other
Words and images: Steve Gray Let’s face it, trucks and bikes just don’t get on. Most cyclists view trucks as a life-threatening menace, while drivers see those on two wheels as an occupational hazard. In truth, there are horror stories from both sides: cyclists injured or killed by turning trucks; trucks invading cycle lanes; Lycra-clad ‘warriors’ ignoring trafic lights and the rules of the road; cyclists putting themselves at risk at junctions – the list goes on.
Now Northamptonshire-based Knights of Old has joined forces with professional cycling team MetaltekScott in a bid to raise awareness among drivers and cyclists. The company is working closely with the newly formed team to tackle issues such as road safety, nutrition and itness and is targeting its own staff members, local schools and the wider community.
Ian Beattie, Knights of Old MD, says: “We take the responsibility of looking after our staff, the local community and all road users very seriously. By linking up with a professional cycling team we hope to gain expertise, while generating interest and discussion with the aim of achieving some worthwhile, positive results.
“Regrettably, accidents involving cyclists and trucks are increasing, but through training and by raising awareness on both sides we hope to be able to make a difference. We recognise that this is a very big challenge and it is going to take a great deal of time and effort from everyone.” The company, in conjunction with Metaltek-Scott is running a programme of workshops, and it is not just for drivers – each member of the 450-strong workforce, from ofice to warehouse, is invited to take part.
“The wellbeing of our staff is very important to us, and by holding workshops, hosting forums and focusing on training, we aim to have a better informed, safer and healthier workforce,” says Beattie.
Metaltek-Scott team captain Tony Gibb is delighted with the results of his team’s involvement with the project. “The response from Knights of Old staff so far has been fantastic,” he says.
“There was naturally some wariness at irst, but once they overcame their initial reticence all those involved have really entered into the spirit. Indeed three [Knights of Old staff] have already bought bikes as a result! “Bike trafic in London alone is up by 28% this year and rising signiicantly around the country, so the need for greater awareness of the issues surrounding cyclists and trucks has never been more important. In addition to outlining safety issues, we also tell them about the different types of cyclist they are likely to meet. “We give dietary advice too – which we believe is essential, particularly for truck drivers with a very sedentary job. “And, of course, we stress the need to keep it and stay active.” In return, Gibb learnt about drivers’ hours and the lack of facilities for drivers.
“The interest from schools has been terriic,” says Beattie. “They, too, are anxious to get over the safety message and beneits of cycling.” During the irst school visit, representatives from Knights of Old and three riders from the team talked to all the pupils at King John School, Thrapston.They stressed the importance of wearing a helmet and relective equipment, the size and scale of a truck, the limitations of the driver’s view from the cab and how important it is for them to look and listen.
The assembly was interactive, with pupils able to sit inside an artic to give them a driver’s eye view.
Gibb says: “We were extremely pleased with how the day went. The kids were really responsive and we tried to add a bit of fun while getting the message across.” Beattie adds: “There is a lot of media attention concerning accidents involving cyclists and trucks and we are determined to do what we can to help reduce them. Schools have a vital role to play too.” Knights of Old has also involved other big names from the industry in its initiative: TruckEast, the company’s Scania dealer, and SDC Trailers are set to take part in a number of aspects of the campaign.
“Far from putting people off cycling, or trucks for that matter, we want them to appreciate the potential dangers so that cycling can be enjoyed, the problems facing drivers are fully understood and to show that trucks and cyclists can actually live together in harmony,” says Beattie. n
A TRUCK DRIVER’S VIEW
Malcolm Fuins has been driving for Knights of Old for six years but has 20 years’ experience under his belt, including seven as a class 2 driver. CM asked him what he thought of cyclists and the training he had received from Tony Gibb.
What was your feeling about cyclists up until now and has that attitude changed? I enjoy riding my mountain bike so I feel that as a driver I give cyclists a lot of consideration on the roads as I’m used to being at the same height as them. As drivers, we’ve been through tests and have been given the OK to drive our cars/trucks, but a cyclist hasn’t, so we need to bear in mind that they could have limitations of control or road awareness. Do you, or have you, had any specific problems with cyclists?
I once had a cyclist hold on to my curtain straps to be towed along! It was a very scary situation and it made me realise that some cyclists do not fully understand the weight and dangers of trucks.
Did the training with Tony give you a better understanding of cyclists’ behaviour? The categorisation of cyclists was very interesting. To understand how different cyclists could behave is very important. Has the training led you to change your driving habits with regard to cyclists? I’d like to think that I am already a thoughtful driver, but the workshop certainly heightened my concerns about how dangerous it can be if everyone isn’t aware of what they are doing. Have you any advice to give to cyclists regarding trucks, for example if they can’t see your mirrors, you can’t see them? Trucks are higher up, so we can see ahead, and judge our speed accordingly. We cannot see directly behind us, and we have a large blind spot on our left-hand side, so please look ahead, make sure you are visible and look at what position the driver is in – is his indicator on? The driver will have judged what he is doing and where he is going – if a cyclist comes out of nowhere and is in our blind spot, accidents can happen.
Has the training given you a better understanding of the relationship between trucks and cyclists?
Tony’s honesty about cyclists and how fast they go and how sometimes they don’t want to stop was very refreshing. I don’t want to have anyone’s life on my conscience due to pressures of the job or fault of my own. If making sure I’m healthy and understanding cyclists better stops the chances of being involved in an accident, that’s all I can ask. The workshop highlighted what I already knew, but we sometimes forget the basics and Tony was able to jog our memories on very simple but important messages that we cannot forget.
Has the health and safety message in the training changed anything you do? The health, nutrition, fitness and well-being part of the workshop was very interesting. Tony didn’t say anything that was rocket science or something that you didn’t always know, but he reminded me of the importance of certain things. I take a packed lunch with me instead of eating at truck stops. The facilities on the road aren’t great, so by taking a few minutes before work, I know what I’m eating is healthy (and it’s cheaper too!).
Tony’s workshop reminded me that not all sugar is sugar. Having a Mars bar is different to having an apple, but the same amount of sugar is in both. As drivers we need to concentrate all day and our job is more mental than it is physical, so the food we eat is so important to what we do, how we react and how we behave. I think that health and fitness should be a part of the driving test.