The committee voted in favour of proposed changes to the Vehicle Weights & Dimensions Directive which would require changes to ensure drivers could better see other road users.
In January the Mayor’s Cycling Commissioner, Andrew Gilligan, visited Brussels to lobby for the amendment’s implementation.
The rule change is one of a number of measures to improve road safety backed by the Mayor who has directed Transport for London to work with local councils to ban from the capital’s streets any lorry not fitted with safety equipment to protect cyclists and pedestrians.
Earlier this year Mr Johnson demonstrated a cycle-safe HGV with a number of new safety-related design features including a lower cab and larger window which could set the template for changes required by today’s amendment.
Speaking after the amendment was agreed, he said: “The European Parliament’s vote today is clear and far-seeing, just like the lorry cabs we want to bring in. We were not sure of success until the last moment, but it is great news for cyclists and pedestrians and I hope we can now work together with the DfT to bring these changes in as soon as possible.”
Today’s vote must be confirmed by the European Parliament in April before the draft law can be considered by EU member states.
City Hall says the Mayor and TfL will work alongside the Department for Transport “to agree a road map in order to ensure all new HGVs have compulsory direct-vision requirements in the shortest possible time.”
