BINMEN got out their dustcarts and onto a bicycle in a bid to improve road safety skills.

More than 100 staff working for the Serco fleet, who are contracted by Bexley Council to collect waste, undertook the Safe Urban Driving Course.

The seven-hour course focuses on driving in London and negotiating vulnerable road users, including cyclists.

As part of the course, the binmen took to the road on a bicycle to experience the cyclists view of the road when riding near large vans and lorries.

Bexley Council’s Vice Chairman of the transport users sub-committee Councillor Val Clark said: “This is an excellent initiative where different road users exchange places to get a better understanding of the other’s views and hazards.

“We welcome initiatives that educate and train all road users to act in a safer manner and which will lead to a reduction in casualties.”