LORRY drivers are getting on their bikes as part of an Ealing Council initiative to improve road safety.

More than one hundred have completed the course aiming to reduce accidents by offering an insight into cyclists' behaviour.

The council are providing Safer Urban Driving training for heavy goods vehicle drivers of their contractors, including Murrills Construction who carry out highways work and Enterprise who collect refuse and recycling.

The intensive one day programme includes a three and a half hour ride showing the risks lorries can pose to cyclists and teaching practical ways of reducing incidents.

There is also a classroom session discussing sharing the road and how to avoid collisions.

The course was delivered by Cycle Training UK using funding given to Ealing council from Transport for London’s Local Implementation Plan.

Around half of all cyclists’ deaths on London’s roads since 2000 involved collisions with HGVs and three cyclists have died in incidents involving lorries in Ealing.

Ealing Council agreed at a cabinet meeting on March 19 to implement recommendations in the London Cycling Campaign’s Safer Lorries Safer Cycling pledge.

As part of this the council are working towards achieving bronze level of TFL’s Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme which sets standards encouraging organisations to be safer, greener and more efficient.

Other intentions include improving signs on vehicles to warn cyclists of the dangers of undertaking, installing safety devices such as extra mirrors and insisting that drivers on council contracts meet a range of additional safety standards.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for environment and transport and regular cyclist, met drivers at the council’s Greenford depot before they set off on the road.

He said: "Road safety is a priority for us and we want to do what we can to avoid any more cyclists losing their lives in accidents involving lorries in this borough. I'm delighted that our contractors see how important it is to have their drivers trained and the feedback I received from those who attended the course was very positive.

"It builds upon the national award winning Direct Support for Cycling training programme that we run."

Mr Mahfouz said that if road users have a real appreciation of those in other modes of transport, it is a major step to making streets safer.