Merton Council is teaming up with the Metropolitan Police this month to give cyclists the opportunity to have their bike marked with a unique serial number, making it easier to track in the event it is lost or stolen. Cyclists will also have a chance to sit inside the cab of a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) to see what the lorry driver sees or doesn’t see when cyclists ride close to the vehicle.

Bike marking

Dates for the diary are:

18 August, 10am – midday

Police officers alongside the council’s road safety team, will be outside the civic centre in London Road, Morden marking bikes.

22 August, 7.30am – 10.30am

Council and police officers will be out at the junction of Kenley Road and Morden Road encouraging passing cyclists to get in the lorry cab to see for themselves what lorry drivers can easily miss when cyclists ride too close and end up in the driver’s blind spot. This is part of the Metropolitan Police’s Exchanging Places initiative. Bike marking will be available here too.

Merton Council cabinet member for regeneration, environment and housing Councillor Martin Whelton said: “This is a great initiative we’re working on with the police to give people added security for their bikes. Exchanging Places is also the ideal opportunity for cyclists to get first-hand experience of how difficult it can be for drivers to see them from their cab. Accidents often happen when the lorry driver wants to turn left and the cyclist is too close for the driver to see them. When we’ve done this before, it’s been very popular with cyclists who can then fully appreciate how they can change the way they ride to stay safer on our roads.”

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