David McWilliam, Head of the Personal Injury Department at Ellis Jones Solicitors, said North-East MP Sir Alan Beith’s Road Safety Bill deserved widespread support.
The bill, which receives its second reading in September, includes a legal requirement for trucks to be fitted with sensors warning drivers of the presence of cyclists.
Sir Alan introduced the bill after being contacted by the family of Eilidh Cairns, 30, who died after being knocked off her bike by a lorry in London.
The accident prompted the launch of a ‘See Me Save Me’ campaign to get European law changed so that all HGVs must be fitted with cameras and sensors to remove their blind spots.
The measure has been backed by more than half of MEPs and will go before the European Commission this autumn.
Mr McWilliam, himself a keen cyclist and triathlete, said the rising cost of fuel was leading to more and more people turning to cycling as their main form of transport.
But, he said: “As anyone who has ridden on our congested roads will confirm, you really are taking your life in your hands at times.
“Many accidents involve collisions with HGV’s. Drivers of these sometimes massive vehicles can’t see cyclists in their vehicle blindspots.
“Fitting sensors would help tackle this problem which is why we’re backing this specific measure.”
Ellis Jones has now launched a specialist cycling accident department to deal with the increasing number of approaches from riders injured in collisions.
Headed by Mr McWilliam, it will act for people injured in a cycling accident on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. Successful claimants will receive 100 per cent of any damages secured.
“I spend many hours a week out on my bike and know only too well the dangers caused by our roads, including the ever present potholes, as well as other road users,” said Mr McWilliam.
According to latest figures from the Department for Transport, a total of 16,950 pedal cyclists were involved in road accidents in the year to September 2009. Of this number, 2,730 were killed or seriously injured.
