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A small family firm in Bath has developed the UK’s first purpose built Convex Cycle Safety Mirror.
The 45cm diameter, high visibility, orange convex mirror incorporates a warning cyclist logo, while the mirror lens is made from virtually indestructible polycarbonate.
It is intended to be mounted at left turn traffic lights where cyclist are most vulnerable to larger vehicles who may not see them in conventional wing mirrors.
This mirror was developed in response to October 2009 Transport for London Cycle Action Plan and aims to help eliminate the growing number of accidents involving HGV’s.
According to Transport for London’s Draft Cycle Action Plan, in 2008 15 Cyclists were killed, 430 were seriously injured and a further 2,757 slightly injured on London’s Roads.
“In the London Transport Cycle Safety Action Plan, it was felt that the provision of this kind of mirror would certainly help reduce the number of cyclists killed and injured. HGV’s in particular have difficulty seeing cyclists while turning left. Our response was to develop a 45cm mirror large enough to be effective but small enough to be mounted alongside traffic lights.
"We also commissioned a ‘warning cyclist’ logo for the mirror as an added feature to remind drivers that cyclists might be present,” said Mr Carl Mungai, MD at Convex-Mirrors.
London Transport are to trial convex mirrors in two new Cycle Super Highways in Summer 2010. The hope is that they and local authorities throughout the UK will take up the idea to help reduce the growing number of serious accidents involving cyclist and other road vehicles.
