Representatives of the Road Haulage Associaiton, and Robert Flello MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Freight Transport will be at the Isle of Wight Cycling Festival this weekend to try and foster greater understanding between cyclists and freight companies and their drivers.

Mr Fello told fleetdirectory.co.uk that greater understanding and dialogue between cyclists and drivers is the only way to tackle the number of cyclists killed on UK roads.

He said: “I am really pleased to be at the opening of this two week-long festival which celebrates all aspects of cycling, where I will have the opportunity to discuss road safety issues with cyclists.

“I hope that by coming together cyclists and hauliers will be able to find solutions which will make the roads safer for every user. I am calling on the industry to examine its work practices and vehicle safety features with cyclist safety in mind.”

More than a quarter of cyclists killed on Britain’s roads in 2012 died as a result of being hit by van or HGV. In big cities, the story is even worse. Between 2008 and 2012, HGVs were involved in 53 per cent of London cyclist deaths despite making up only 4 per cent of the traffic.

The Road Haulage Association will also attend the Isle of Wight cycling festival to promote dialogue between the two groups and try and improve the poor relationship between cyclists and haulage drivers and companies.

No doubt many of those attending the festival will take the opportunity to tell Mr Flello and the RHA that the best way for their members to improve their image among cyclists would be to stop killing them.