All lorries should be fitted with safety mirrors to help prevent serious collisions involving cyclists, the London Assembly is proposing.

Members unanimously agreed a motion signalling their support for the mirrors, which allow HGV drivers to see cyclists more easily.

They are urging the Department for Transport to implement the EU Directive on full safety mirrors without delay. Unofficial figures collected by the London Cycling Campaign suggest that nine cyclists have died in the capital so far this year as a result of collisions with lorries.

Joanne McCartney proposed the motion, and said: ‘Too many cyclist’s lives have already been lost in collisions with lorries and we call on the mayor [of London] and the transport department to do all they can to promote the use of safety mirrors. These mirrors are a simple and cheap measure that will help drivers of large vehicles to see cyclists.’

The DfT estimates that 12 month’s delay in putting these measures in place could cost 18 lives in the UK. The assembly wants the mayor to promote the use of the mirrors and fresnel lenses in London through publicity campaigns.