Hackney Council is the first authority in the country to use innovative technology to detect cyclists and warn drivers.

Hackney Gazette: The technology will also alert cyclists when the vehicle is turning left. (Picture: Hackney Council).The technology will also alert cyclists when the vehicle is turning left. (Picture: Hackney Council). (Image: Archant)

Sensors installed on 22 buses for children with special needs feature cameras so crashes or near misses can be reviewed as well as a cycle safety system called Cyclear.

The town hall is on a drive to improve safety, particularly for cyclists, and carried out a year of testing before committing to the technology, which will also be installed on 24 bin lorries in October.

Hackney’s corporate fleet manager Norman Harding said: “We have long recognised the need to take steps to improve the safety of cyclists and vulnerable road users. Cyclear is a reliable system and our drivers feel reassured to have the equipment on board.”

The system visually and audibly alerts drivers to the presence of cyclists. A speaker also sounds to let cyclists and vulnerable road users know when the vehicle is turning left, as a second warning.

Hackney Gazette: The technology has been installed on minibuses for special needs children. (Picture: Hackney Council).The technology has been installed on minibuses for special needs children. (Picture: Hackney Council). (Image: Archant)

It comes after Hackney contributed to the Safe Urban Driving initiative and training for HGV drivers.