Recognition for cycling safety initiative

CEMEX have been recognized for their innovative Cycling Safety Initiative in the Construction Products Association’s 2009 edition of Construction Products Innovation and Achievement (CPIA).

Investigations undertaken by CEMEX have shown that there is a particular risk of incidents at road junctions, where cyclists are on the nearside of large vehicles turning left.

As a result, the company has introduced a number of features on its vehicles to improve driver visibility and safety for cyclists, including: new fish/frog-eye mirrors to improve visibility to the nearside blind spot and front of the vehicle; a cyclist warning sign on the nearside rear of all of vehicles; the fitment of ‘side-scan’ proximity sensor systems on all new fleet; and the fitment of side under-run bars on tipper trucks.

‘We are very pleased to have been included in this year’s CPIA publication,’ said Gonzalo Galindo, president of CEMEX UK. ‘Collisions between large vehicles and cyclists can have very serious consequences, and our investigations show that there is a particular risk for incidents at road junctions and when cyclists are on the nearside of vehicles turning left.

‘We have therefore introduced a number of new vehicle features to improve safety, which we hope will make life safer for cyclists and other people on the road. It is important that our industry recognizes and showcases innovation, and we are grateful that CPIA 2009 does this.’