Cyclists travelling close to council bin lorries will now be given an ‘audio and visual warning’ if it is going to turn to improve biker safety.
Hyndburn council has become the first authority in Lancashire to upgrade its fleet of waste collection vehicles to help bikers on the road.
A new ‘TurnAlarm’ system has been installed on every refuse and recycling vehicle which is an audible and visual awareness mechanism.
This will indicate to cyclists when vehicles are turning left to reduce the risk of accidents.
Council bosses said the ‘TurnAlarm’ functions as both an ‘audio and visual warning’ with high intensity LED lights flashing from its side mounted position.
A high volume speaker also provides an audible warning that the ‘vehicle is turning’.
As an added safety measure, 360 degree cameras have also been installed to allow drivers to see all around the vehicle.
Coun Paul Cox, cabinet member for environmental issues, said they are ‘delighted’ to be the first council in Lancashire to have the system and said it will ‘improve vehicle visibility and awareness for cyclists on our roads’.
