We’re fast becoming a nation of cycle lovers, as research shows that one in three Britons owns a bicycle and 4m bikes are expected to be sold per year, by 2015. But with this growing national pastime comes a new need for education and training to prevent the many road traffic incidents that occur each year involving cyclists.

As personal injury specialists, our team has noted a consistently high level of incidents being reported involving cyclists and HGVs in particular. Our work with national cyclists organisation the CTC, combined with peak summer cycling season and the launch of Boris Johnson’s Barclays Cycle Hire scheme, added up to creating a national safety campaign for cyclists and lorry drivers, which we launched last month, called 2 Way Street.

There are many causes of incidents on our road networks in the region and unfortunately at RJW, we have dealt with several very serious cases over the last 12 months including a fatality. The overarching message is that busy traffic, insufficient cycle lanes and visibility challenges that HGV drivers face in encountering cyclists on the roads mean that we need to wise up and encourage greater education and training that is fitting with urban cycling conditions.

We also wanted to highlight the traditionally negative relationship between cyclists and lorry drivers and so an independent survey of over 2000 respondents was conducted on our behalf. This proved that both parties want more or less the same things to make a positive difference.

This campaign has only just begun and we’d like to hear your thoughts on how the region’s roads could be improved so that cyclists and HGVs can share the roads safely – please leave your comments below.

For more information and advice on cycling safety, please visit www.rjw.co.uk/2waystreet