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Radical “cyclist friendly” construction trucks were being unveiled today at a London conference into cycling deaths and injuries.

The 15 new-generation lorries, with special safety features, were being showcased at an event at the ExCeL centre. They meet strict new Transport for London guidelines.

It comes days after mother-of-two Claire Hitier-Abadie, 36, was killed in a collision with a Crossrail lorry as she rode a Boris bike in Victoria.

The new trucks give drivers a much clearer view around their vehicle, enabling them to see cyclists who would otherwise have been in their blind spot.

This is achieved by lowering the seats in the cab, bringing the driver closer to eye level with cyclists and other vulnerable road users. Vehicles also have:

Bus-style see-through concertina doors on the near side;

Extra windows in the cab, with existing windows significantly extended to give a much better view;

Camera systems to monitor blind spots, and upgraded mirrors;

Improved “run-under” protection - rails around the periphery of the truck to prevent cyclists or pedestrians from being dragged underneath.

The vehicles, from Mercedes-Benz, Dennis Eagle, Volvo, Scania, DAF and MAN, are on sale now.

They were designed under the industry-backed Construction Logistics and Cyclist Safety agreement (Clocs).

It follows the publication of TfL-commissioned research by the Transport Research Laboratory last year.

At the time, TfL reported that between 2008 and 2013, 55 per cent of cyclist fatalities in London involved a heavy goods vehicle.

The event at ExCeL is being attended by TfL Commissioner Sir Peter Hendy, and industry and road safety representatives.

Sir Peter said: “Every death and injury on our roads is a tragedy and ruins lives. At TfL we are reducing these wherever possible, and are proud to be a supporter and funder of Clos.

“The new vehicles, with massively reduced blind spots, show what can be done if people join together for a common good to solve a simple problem.”

TfL figures show that since January 2013, 31 cyclists have died on London’s roads, with 18 of the accidents involving heavy goods vehicles.

Mrs Hitier-Abadie, who moved to London from Paris last year, died after she collided with a HGV turning left at the junction of Victoria Street and Bressenden place last Wednesday.

Eighty organisations have signed up to be Clocs Champions, including Crossrail. TfL is encouraging take-up of the new vehicles, although not mandating it.

The UK’s first Safer Lorry Scheme will begin operating in London in September, with lorries that do not have basic safety equipment banned from the road.