Birmingham brain injury experts are offering city cyclists the unique opportunity to see what a heavy goods vehicle driver can and can’t see on the road.

On Tuesday 24 March 2015, between 09:00-14:00 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), Consultant Neurosurgeon Professor Tony Belli and his colleagues in the Trauma Research Team will be hosting a free ‘Take care, be aware’ cycle safety drop-in event.

At the event, which has been organised in partnership with Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police, cyclists will be encouraged to sit in the driver’s seat of a lorry. There they will be briefed by PC Mark Hodson about the dangers of cycling close to a HGV and made aware of the blind spots.

There will also be free cycling goodies up for grabs and the chance to talk to cycling experts and pick up top safety and bike maintenance tips.

Professor Belli, Director of the National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (NIHR SRMRC), said: “Every death and injury on our roads is one too many.

“Here at QEHB we’ve treated almost 100 cyclists and 244 pedestrians due to incidents with other road users in the last three years and nationwide a fifth of cycling fatalities are due to a collision with a HGV.

“We’ve organised ‘Take care, be aware’, our second event in the 'Science of Trauma: Outcomes and Prevention (STOP)' series, to highlight the importance of cyclist, driver and pedestrian awareness of each other.

“Join us and see inside the HGV cab for yourselves, learn the rules that cyclists, drivers and pedestrians must abide by on the roads, pavements and canals and help us prevent traumatic brain injury in road users.” 

PC Mark Hodson, from West Midlands Police Operations Traffic, added: "Educational events such as this are an excellent way for the West Midlands Police Safer Cycling Team, in conjunction with our partnership agencies, to reinforce the “share the roads" message.

“This is particularly important in light of the fact that more journeys, both for recreational and commuting purposes, are being taken by bicycle. We want to ensure that all road users have the time, space and respect they need to complete their journeys in a safe and enjoyable environment.”

To find out more about the work of the Trauma Research Team please visit the NIHR SRMRC website.

To show your support for the campaign please tweet using the hashtag #TakeCareBeAware.