Coventry developed product helping to keep cyclists safe
A REVOLUTIONARY vehicle safety product designed by a Coventry University graduate and built in the city is now helping to protect cyclists.
Innovative Safety Systems (ISS), based in Hotchkiss Way, has developed a new warning system which can be fitted to a wide range of heavy vehicles to alert cyclists and other vulnerable road users when a vehicle is planning to turn left – a manoeuvre which is a major cause of cycling injury and death across the UK, particularly at junctions.
The product – Cyclear – works in three stages – a left hand indication from the driver triggers an internationally recognised sign on the rear of the vehicle to illuminate along with an audible “Caution Vehicle Turning Left” sounded to alert cyclists and pedestrians of the driver’s intended left turn.
At the same time an intelligent sensor system mounted along the nearside of the vehicle will alert the driver if a cyclist chooses to undertake the vehicle into their blind spot.
Following four years of developing and testing prototypes, Cyclear is now in operation on hundreds of vehicles nationwide, including one of Coventry City Council’s new refuse collection vehicles.
Jonathan Browning, chair of Coventry and Warwickshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “ISS has developed an innovative new product which is already proving very popular across the country and undoubtedly helps cut down risks on the road, and it was developed by a Coventry University graduate.
“It is particularly encouraging that the technology has been developed here in Coventry and Warwickshire and I am delighted that ISS is now working with Coventry City Council to improve safety for the area’s cyclists as well.”
Browning is also non-executive director of British Cycling, the national governing body for cycling which is currently campaigning for better road design and traffic management infrastructure as part of its #ChooseCycling campaign.
Cllr Rachel Lancaster, cabinet member for Public Services, Coventry City Council, said: “Cyclear is proven to prevent incidents and fatalities and we are very excited to have rolled it out to the first vehicle in the council’s fleet, which we hope long-term will encourage people to cycle more regularly.”
The body of the Coventry City Council lorry was also made in Warwick by recycling vehicle manufacturer Dennis Eagle.
Mike Crowther, of ISS said it was rewarding to see Cyclear being used on local roads.
He said: “Cyclear is now well established as a leading vehicle safety product. More businesses and public sector bodies are adopting the technology to proactively enhance vehicle safety and to obtain accreditations. We are particularly delighted to have the support of the city that the company calls home.”
Innovative Safety Systems specialises in the design, supply, installation and maintenance of vehicle safety technology products including Cyclear, market leading vehicle CCTV systems, reversing radars and vehicle lighting in the UK and abroad.
