Police spent an afternoon teaching cyclists how to ride safely beside lorries last Thursday.

Queensbridge Safer Neighbourhoods Team held the Exchanging Places event at Regents Row, London Fields.

The aim was to educate cyclists of the dangers they face when cycling close to trucks.

Officers explained that if cyclists are on the nearside of a lorry when it changes direction, they may end up being in the blind spot of the driver and will not be visible.

Pedestrians were also warned of the dangers of crossing a road too close to a lorry, as they may not be visible to the driver.

Officer Tim Beaumon said: “This event was an overwhelming success with cyclists queuing down the road for advice.

“We will be holding a similar event March.”

Lock 7 bike shop, Pritchard’s Road, Haggerston, also offered free bike safety checks to passing cyclists.

The event took place just days before a woman died after she was hit by a tipper-lorry in Stoke Newington High Street on Saturday.

Last year, several cyclists died in London after colliding with lorries.