Cyclist Down

[tendril]

On my (mid) morning cycle in today from Tulse Hill the road around Kennington Lane/Kennington Pk rd junction completely cordoned off.

Southbound lane of Kennington Pk rd today approx 10am. Yellow ladies frame under a bus. Asked local police "hospital or morgue" and he said "hospital" so wishing her a speedy recovery.

Talking to bystanders it was pretty horrendous, she was dragged several yards with her bike trapped under the bus. Bike folded nearly in half. Bystander said she was on the inside of the bus (not literally inside, to its left side) so may have been partly her fault. Nasty nasty junction that one, in both directions.

More education needed for both cyclists and bus drivers, but I have to say that there are an increasing number of cyclists who are maybe unclear on how to cycle safely. The bus lane where it happened is part of the CS7, but as we know most of the CSs are technically shared space and only become a cycle lane when there is a solid white line separating them from the main road (which many motor vehicle drivers ignore anyway ). They are totally shared space when inside a bus lane which has a solid white line at its right hand side.

I understand that there has been recent media attention on HGVs and cyclists but I feel that more should be done with regard to buses and cyclists too.

Yet another argument for cycle filtering at traffic lights.

Here's hoping she doesn't become yet another statistic

 

[ringo]

Shit, hope she's OK. I use that every day, the north bound side seems even more dangerous tbh, because the cycle lane splits at the junction and you have to move to the right across a lane of cars moving to the left.

 

[jusali]

Hope she's OK.
Never go on the inside of any Long vehicle, even if it's stationary, is my most basic advice to anyone cycling.

 

[pissflaps]

one of three collisions reported today. fucking tragic.

http://londonist.com/2013/04/three-cyclists-hospitalised-in-separate-collisions.php


whilst i appreciate the tone of your post, i do find it annoying that you, like many others i've seen on twatter and similar sources today, are prepared to lay the blame at the foot of the victim in this incident, despite a complete lack of any supporting evidence. If anything, the statistics would suggest that the driver was at fault, in this case and in many of the other tragic incidents that claim cyclist's lives and health with depressing regularity in london. If there is any suggestion of shared culpability, then it is between the fuckwits that operate these 20 ton death machines, the companies that feel it is acceptable to allow them to mix with cycle traffic and TfL whose blanket policy of 'traffic calming' at the expense of providing adequate cycling infrastructure is tantamount to corporate manslaughter.

i was clattered by a bus recently on vauxhall bridge. the bus driver was of the opinion that 'he thought i was supposed to stick to the left'. I don't know about you but i think i know who needs better 'education'.

remember folks - if you're piloting a ton of speeding glass, metal and plastic down a road with vulnerable road users about, slow the fuck down and look where you're going.

here's hoping we don't top last years number of 112 cyclists needlessly killed on london roads.

heal up, lady.

 

[tendril]

Shit, hope she's OK. I use that every day, the north bound side seems even more dangerous tbh, because the cycle lane splits at the junction and you have to move to the right across a lane of cars moving to the left.

That's the only junction I jump. Coming from brixton road I wait for the pedestrian crossing green light to go out then go go go. There is exactly 3 seconds between this pedestrian crossing light going out and the main lights changing. Allows you just enough time to get across the junction to hold your line (if you are Elephant & Castle bound). Not proud of jumping a light but it seems at that junction it is the only way to make sure you get into the lane you need to without a stream of cars and motorcycles trying to cross your path as they head towards kennington lane.

 

[pissflaps]

there is never a good reason to jump a light. if you feel the need to jump a light, get off and walk across.

 

[tendril]

one of three collisions reported today. fucking tragic.

http://londonist.com/2013/04/three-cyclists-hospitalised-in-separate-collisions.php


whilst i appreciate the tone of your post, i do find it annoying that you, like many others i've seen on twatter and similar sources today, are prepared to lay the blame at the foot of the victim in this incident, despite a complete lack of any supporting evidence. If anything, the statistics would suggest that the driver was at fault, in this case and in many of the other tragic incidents that claim cyclist's lives and health with depressing regularity in london. If there is any suggestion of shared culpability, then it is between the fuckwits that operate these 20 ton death machines, the companies that feel it is acceptable to allow them to mix with cycle traffic and TfL whose blanket policy of 'traffic calming' at the expense of providing adequate cycling infrastructure is tantamount to corporate manslaughter.

i was clattered by a bus recently on vauxhall bridge. the bus driver was of the opinion that 'he thought i was supposed to stick to the left'. I don't know about you but i think i know who needs better 'education'.

remember folks - if you're piloting a ton of speeding glass, metal and plastic down a road with vulnerable road users about, slow the fuck down and look where you're going.

here's hoping we don't top last years number of 112 cyclists needlessly killed on london roads.

heal up, lady.

I have not laid the blame squarly at the foot of the victim, I said she may have been partly to blame going on what bystanders saw, so back off buddy and read my post correctly before you come on waving it around.

I have also called for more eduction for both cyclists and bus drivers. Again, read my post. I have been cycling regularly for 5, maybe 6 years in London and have seen twattery from all road users and most pedestrians. There are some excellent drivers and cyclists out there and some shockingly poor ones. I also happen to hold full licenses for both car and motorcycle so I am aware of how to use lanes correctly and how to drive/ride/cycle defensively.

Both times I have had an accident whilst cycling it has been entirely my fault.

 

[tendril]

there is never a good reason to jump a light. if you feel the need to jump a light, get off and walk across.

I'll sit back and wait for all the regular users of that particular junction to turn up and argue that point

 

[joustmaster]

there is never a good reason to jump a light. if you feel the need to jump a light, get off and walk across.

Its often safer to jump a red light, than not.

 

[jusali]

Agreed cyclist isn't to blame but until attitude towards cyclists change in this country, the cyclist is well advised to assume everyone else on the road is unaware of you.

 

[Crispy]

I'll sit back and wait for all the regular users of that particular junction to turn up and argue that point

I wait for green. When crossing the lane of traffic, I signal well ahead of time and check my shoulder. I'm either let in, or overtaken in which case I wait before maneuvering. It's annoying, but not overly dangerous.

 

[tendril]

Its often safer to jump a red light, than not.

for that particular junction I have to agree. There are a number of junctions where it is better to jump by 2 or 3 seconds, an argument for cycle light filtering, however there are many junctions where it is of no gain to jump the light yet people still do.

A campaign to TFL to get some sort of traffic light cycle filtering system in place is what is needed.

 

[tendril]

I wait for green. When crossing the lane of traffic, I signal well ahead of time and check my shoulder. I'm either let in, or overtaken in which case I wait before maneuvering. It's annoying, but not overly dangerous.

It is a well dodgy junction that one though, as we have agreed on a previous thread.

 

[Crispy]

Oh no doubt, it's a bad design, but safe to traverse legally, if you're cautious and defensive.

And I agree that a filtering system would help a great deal.

 

[Utopia]

. Asked local police "hospital or morgue"

Did you say this in a gravelly voice in the style of say Dirty Harry, Judge Dredd or the dude from Death Wish?

 

[pissflaps]

Its often safer to jump a red light, than not.

bullshit. as i said - if you dont feel safe, get off and use the pedestrian crossing.

 

[joustmaster]

bullshit. as i said - if you dont feel safe, get off and use the pedestrian crossing.

I didn't say that it wasn't safe. I said that its safer.

 

[likesfish]

Brighton and hove bus company occasionaly put a bus in the park and invite cyclists to sit in the drivers seat and see the blackspots.
Rather scary hgv buses corners and bicycles dont mix

 

[jusali]

Brighton and hove bus company occasionaly put a bus in the park and invite cyclists to sit in the drivers seat and see the blackspots.
Rather scary hgv buses corners and bicycles dont mix

What a bloomin' marvelous idea!

 

[pissflaps]

everytime you jump a light, for whatever reason you have convinced yourself makes it acceptable to do so, the mouthbreathing-fuckwits in their airconditioned pressure cookers that pen misinformed 'bloody cyclists' letters to the metro/daily mail are made just that little bit right, and the next time they're driving down the road and see a cyclist, chances are they will remember you jumping that light give that cyclist half a foot less passing distance.

if you jump lights on a bike, you are part of the problem. if you can't ride responsibly, take a fucking bus, you cunts.

 

[joustmaster]

Brighton and hove bus company occasionaly put a bus in the park and invite cyclists to sit in the drivers seat and see the blackspots.
Rather scary hgv buses corners and bicycles dont mix

The police where doing it with a HGV near Southwark tube yesterday.

 

[pissflaps]

Brighton and hove bus company occasionaly put a bus in the park and invite cyclists to sit in the drivers seat and see the blackspots.
Rather scary hgv buses corners and bicycles dont mix

cool! do they invite their bus drivers to cycle their route as well?

 

[joustmaster]

everytime you jump a light, for whatever reason you have convinced yourself makes it acceptable to do so, the mouthbreathing-fuckwits in their airconditioned pressure cookers that pen misinformed 'bloody cyclists' letters to the metro/daily mail are made just that little bit right, and the next time they're driving down the road and see a cyclist, chances are they will remember you jumping that light give that cyclist half a foot less passing distance.

if you jump lights on a bike, you are part of the problem. if you can't ride responsibly, take a fucking bus, you cunts.

nonsense.

 

[pissflaps]

nonsense.

why?

 

[joustmaster]

cool! do they invite their bus drivers to cycle their route as well?

I think there was a taxi firm that got their drivers to have a go at cycling about time.
I think I read about it on here.
Or dreamed it.

 

[pissflaps]

if i see you on my commute jumping a light, i am calling you on it. what gives you the right to put my life at risk, albeit indirectly, because you can't obey a simple fucking rule? fuck you. take a bus.

 

[pissflaps]

I think there was a taxi firm that got their drivers to have a go at cycling about time.
I think I read about it on here.
Or dreamed it.

addison lee. and that was only after their chairman wrote one of those misinformed bullshit articles i was talking about earlier in his company shitrag and got called on it.

 

[joustmaster]

why?

I don't think people think like that.
And for the insignificant number that might -they would already be driving purposefully dangerously towards cyclists.

 

[pissflaps]

I don't think people think like that.
And for the insignificant number that might -they would already be driving purposefully dangerously towards cyclists.

i see. and what about the one that does think like that?

anyway, you clearly lack the confidence to ride with motorised vehicles on the roads. Have you considered cycle training?

 

[joustmaster]

if i see you on my commute jumping a light, i am calling you on it. what gives you the right to put my life at risk, albeit indirectly, because you can't obey a simple fucking rule?

You are wrong.

Sure. Jumping red lights all over the town for no real reason is dangerous and bad for cyclists.
But Jumping red lights a little bit early in some specific situations is obviously acceptable, when the alternative is quite dangerous.

I'm sure your ridged stickling for the rules works in some sort of perfect dream land. But at some junctions 99% of vehicles are doing the wrong thing, and I'm going to do what I can to stay safe.