Cycling safety: HGV 'off-tracking'

The best single piece of advice for cyclists in towns and cities is be hyper aware of lorries at junctions, and give them a wide berth whenever possible.

HGV off-tracking refers to how large vehicles, particularly articulated Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) with trailers, take wider turns and move slightly outside their lane when turning. This happens because the trailer doesn’t follow the exact path of the front wheels but rather cuts inside, which can pose a serious hazard for other road users.

Worse still, the longer articulated lorries now permitted on UK roads now have a bigger 'kickout' at the back of the vehicle - an area that is in the driver's blind spot. It's well illustrated in this graphic produced by the Campaign for Better Transport.

Why knowing about 'off-tracking' could save your life

All road users should be cautious when overtaking or positioning themselves near an HGV, as the trailer can swing out or track unexpectedly close during turns.

HGV drivers often struggle with blind spots around their vehicles, especially on the sides and rear. Understanding off-tracking provides another reason to avoid lingering near these blind spots.

What is HGV 'kickout'?

Kickout happens when the back end of a trailer swings out in the opposite direction during a turn. For example, if an HGV is turning left, the rear of the trailer might briefly swing right before it completes the turn.

HGV kickout can catch other road users by surprise, especially those driving or cycling close to the sides of the HGV. If someone is too close, the outward swing can lead to collisions or “side-swipes,” where the trailer hits another vehicle or cyclist.

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Until we have the high quality infrastructure, road policing and legal framework to transform streets into places for people rather than dedicated to motorised traffic, there must at the very least be mandatory safety equipment standards for the Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) that operate on our roads to benefit cyclists and pedestrians.

However, other countries have gone further. In more than 60 per cent of European cities, HGV movements are restricted. In Paris, for example, there are no articulated vehicles in the centre of the city.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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