Blind spot warning after Velib’ death

THE death of a 50-year-old man who was hit by a lorry while cycling in Paris has raised questions about vehicle blind spots.

The accident is the first fatality involving a Velib’ – a free-hire bike available from points around the capital – in 2009 and the sixth since the scheme was launched in 2007.

Mayoral assistant in charge of transport Annick Lepetit said more needed to be done to educate the public over the dangers of vehicle blind spots – believed to be the cause of the accident.

The collision took place as the heavy-goods vehicle was turning right.

“Blind spots on heavy-goods vehicles are the principle cause of fatal accidents for cyclists in Paris. It was behind the deaths of five cyclists in 2008,” said Ms Lepetit.

She said she was investigating a proposal to equip lorries with cameras that covered blind spots.

According to the office of the Mayor of Paris, eight people on motorbikes, three pedestrians and one motorist have died on the capital’s streets since the start of the year.

In 2008, 29 pedestrians were killed in Paris.