Drivers ride bicycles in safety initiative

UK building materials supplier, Travis Perkins, says it has invested £750,000 (US$ 938,000) in its Safe Urban Driving course to ensure all its drivers are rigorously trained. The training is being completed by all 4,000 Travis Perkins drivers in the UK.

Travis Perkins says it designed the Safe Urban Driving course in conjunction with government body Transport for London (TfL) and it is designed to give drivers a different perspective of the road, focusing on vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. As part of the training all drivers must complete a practical cycling element which sees them cycle on public highways.

Graham Bellman, Travis Perkins group fleet director, said, “This ‘on-road’ cycle element gives drivers a cyclist’s perspective of riding on London’s roads. Having this insight into the behaviours of other road users is invaluable in making our communities and streets safer, not only in London but all across the UK.”