[bikeqld] Truck under-run guards a probably highly cost effective safety measure

[mich rolling]

A few years ago London (the big one, not the Canadian version) moved to require all trucks to mount these underrun guards. I don't think they carried through but they are required in parts of Europe.

The idea is so simple and obvious that it is amazing that Australia does not require them. How many fatal road crashes involve a smaller vehicle or bike running under the tray of a semi or large rigid truck?

Actually the work has been done and draft design rules drawn up ( http://www.monash.edu.au/muarc/reports/muarc194.html ) but not applied by governments. Can't be because all trucks need to have high clearance to get into outback cattle yards.

Cost can't be that much. Several big fuel distributors have them on their tankers and claim increased aerodynamic efficiency justifies them.

Come on Bicycle Queensland, have a go! RACQ might even join you.

Side-underrun guards will be
installed on the City of Portland’s truck fleet.
(Photo: PDOT) http://bikeportland.org/2008/01/10/water-bureau-makes-wheeler-ave-closure-official/

http://www.underridenetwork.org/


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