2014-06-04 - Rider Down - Old Kent Road

I passed a nasty incident at 1400 today. Near the junction of Old Kent Road and Penry Street.

Lots of police cars, an ambulance (assuming with patient inside) and a horribly mangled bike in the middle of the road. The ambulance left with its sirens on about 25 minutes later.

The police were talking to the driver of a Veolia rubbish lorry stopped a bit further down the street. The driver was grim faced to say the least.

Hope you're ok, whoever you are.

https://twitter.com/Southwark_News/status/474180605123784705

Just went past. Bike still on the road. Policeman said she was alive but not in a good way. Crying as I type :( Hope you'll be ok lady.

Passed by not long ago. Not a good day to be on the roads with lots of angry drivers stuck in state opening of parliament gridlock. Thoughts with the rider.

Best wishes to the cyclist.

That's two crashes on my commuting route today, this and the bus crash at Lee Bridge Road.....didn't cycle in today!

Southwark News reporter: tweet

Female cyclist took avoiding action + fell whn car driver opened door in Old Kent Rd. 'Riderless' bike then hit by bin lorry, acc spokesman
Also reported woman in 20s taken to Kings Hospital with pelvic injuries.
Our hopes are with her now.

I'm amazed that people even use Old Kent Road. It is a horrible, horrible mess.

It goes to town from Lewisham. Other routes are not particularly obvious (though that's what I tend to do). That's why people use it.

Heal up fallen rider.

There are alternatives, some quite pleasant depending on your destination. But you're right they certainly aren't obvious.

My heart sank, this is the exact route my missus takes everyday.

Stay safe.

Not the place to discuss this, I know, but I have to ride that way every day (Bromley to town) and would love to hear about these pleasant alternatives.

I really want to hear some news on the rider :(

If this is the wrong place, I apologise, but to the folks who cycle old kent road - try using the CycleStreets app to find alternatives. I've been able to cut Old Kent out of my London commute entirely, except for crossing it at a junction.

To the cyclist, I hope and pray you're ok, whomever you may be.

From SE London (Bromley) look up Eddystone Road and go over footbridge and head towards Peckham Rye - through Rye Lane, Surrey Canal Walk. Cycle route (signed) leads across OKR and takes you to Tower Bridge Road. Pretty quiet and avoid OKR - I reckon its as quick if not quicker. Main roads = traffic signals and traffic, quieter roads = pretty consistent journey time.

If this is the wrong place, I apologise, but to the folks who cycle old kent road - try using the CycleStreets app to find alternatives. I've been able to cut Old Kent out of my London commute entirely, except for crossing it at a junction.

To the cyclist, I hope and pray you're ok, whomever you may be.

From SE London (Bromley) look up Eddystone Road and go over footbridge and head towards Peckham Rye - through Rye Lane, Surrey Canal Walk. Cycle route (signed) leads across OKR and takes you to Tower Bridge Road. Pretty quiet and avoid OKR - I reckon its as quick if not quicker. Main roads = traffic signals and traffic, quieter roads = pretty consistent journey time.

Thanks - hate Old Kent Road, for the pollution + getting buzzed close by fast cars, so glad to hear of any alternatives.

Ilderton Road - Gallerywall Road - Southwark Park Road - Grange Road - Long Lane - Southwark Street - Stamford Street looks solid.

From SE London (Bromley) look up Eddystone Road and go over footbridge and head towards Peckham Rye - through Rye Lane, Surrey Canal Walk. Cycle route (signed) leads across OKR and takes you to Tower Bridge Road. Pretty quiet and avoid OKR - I reckon its as quick if not quicker. Main roads = traffic signals and traffic, quieter roads = pretty consistent journey time.

Some of us in Southwark and Lewisham Cyclists are trying to encourage cyclists who wish to move at a fairly fast pace to use the on road alternative to Surrey Canal Walk...it's a pretty narrow shared use path and some of us feel there isn't room to travel safely at most people's usual cycling speed along here at peak use times anyway....not the thread to discuss this here...will start another in a more appropriate place.....wishing all those cyclists hurt on this fast road a good recovery.