You are reading a single comment by @bsb and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
Howard
@bsb
Two people braked in time this evening.
Two people saved a youg man's life.
Passing by Monument Underground station, the young man jumped the red light and forced his way through incoming traffic. Clearly out of place, out of shape, with no style. A properly suicidal move. I watched as he barely swerved against this lorry's bumper, arriving at speed, blocked by a curb in the middle of the junction.
"Idiot," I thought.
The garbage truck braked. The cabin tilted forwards. And the cyclist continued on this way.
I decided to follow him to tell him off, to tell him how lucky he was to be alive - saved by this driver's pity, really.
Also, following him was safer than overtaking such a menace.
Two minutes later, we are cycling northbound. Bishopsgate, 7pm. Rush hour. Cars everywhere, already-three-pints-in zombies crossing the road in front of Leadenhall Market while staring at their phone.
He overtakes, as we all sort of do. But with much, much less space to clear that bus heading towards him.
He removes his left foot from the pedal. "That twat is hitting this car's bumper, seriously?" I think to myself.
Somehow, his body is projected forward, over the handlebars. He hits the ground hard and rolls over. The white Prius behind him stops instantly. And I know it didn't touch him.
I stop in front of the car, unclip, and halt the two lanes of traffic and mopeds coming, as some kind folks help him up and pull his superb Cinelli frame out of danger.
I stay with him for a moment. He says he's okay.
"No one's fault but mine," he confesses.
Yeah.
Thank those people you showed no respect for. I hope you made it safely to Broadway Market.