A COUNCIL’S road safety team have been working with hauliers to alert children to the dangers of cycling close to large goods vehicles.

North Yorkshire County Council says with the growing interest in cycling in the county in the wake of the Tour de France and subsequent Tour de Yorkshire, more people are riding in traffic and may not be aware of the dangers of riding alongside Large Goods vehicles (LGVs).

Cyclists and pedestrians can be at risk if they are in the blind spot for drivers, or if they get too close to a vehicle when it is turning left.

The council’s road safety team is advising cyclists never to ride alongside an LGV when approaching a junction, particularly when the lorry is turning left, as the driver may not be able to see them.

They have taken an initiative by haulier Scania and road safety organisation Road Safety Great Britain to take a theory lesson about the dangers into schools and has added a practical session.

The team worked with Scania (Thirsk) and WS Transportation of Dalton to deliver the theory and practical lessons.

Thirsk School provided space in its car park to park an articulated goods vehicle.

Children from Sowerby and Thirsk All Saints primary schools attended a theory session with a Scania representative before walking around the lorry, sitting in the cab and riding bikes around it while having the dangers explained by Scania, WS Transportation and the road safety team.