Rider down organisation thread

^^ i think that is a really nice idea. a very large number of people who didn't even know eilidh (this forum community) are deeply shocked and saddened over this right now, i'm sure i'm not the only one to have tears in my eyes, and her family (probably) has no idea that we even exist. a showing of that solidarity would probably be really meaningful to them.

Careful--there have been families that neither wanted any broadcast of the incident, nor any campaign. I'm not saying either is the case here, but it's really their call. They may well be very keen to do something along those lines, but for now they have more important things to do.

I'm a competent rider (I hope), and I was nearly knocked off on Wednesday by a flatbed (one of those things you just deal with at the time by stopping suddenly and leaning left, and then to carry on afterwards just dismiss it so that your blood isn't boiling and you're not endangering yourself further).

What I see on the roads from both being a cyclist and occasionally driving, is that most drivers operate on the assumption that there is a space between their vehicle and the curb unless they learn otherwise. Which means if they haven't checked their mirrors thoroughly, if they don't know for sure... they will move into occupied space.

What I'd like to see is a change in that assumption so that what is assumed is that there is a cyclist between them and the curb, unless they learn otherwise. Meaning if they don't know otherwise... assume someone is there and don't go into the space.

If we're campaigning then the changing of that basic assumption is where I personally feel we should focus. It sounds like it should be a TFL campaign, a proper thing to focus on how drivers see cyclists on the road.

This was part done in the white teddy bear adverts, but the message wasn't strong or plain enough (people enjoyed the adverts but seemed to not know what it was telling them... they didn't connect it with road safety, just entertainment - well, my workmates saw it that way).

Me too, it needs to be something that is hard hitting, had a pretty disturbing run in a few weeks back with a Travis Perkins driver, man was a menace, almost took me under his wheels, Not sure of what media would work best, guerilla posters, thing is, it needs to hit out to both drivers and cyclists, make them think!

Our/my studio have talked about it for a few months, primarily because of what I report for the riders down post on here... and the fact that we all ride to work.

this really isnt the place to debate blind spots etc on long wheel based vehicles.

Not knowing either of the individuals directly involved in this i'll only offer my personal opinion based on personal experience.

My dad was killed in the Gulf War back in 1991 and after operations were over there was a big rush and a lot of talk to try and get something organised immediately to help the families and the such in a time that was pretty dark for all involved. Whilst it was nice to know that people cared, what we all really wanted was a little time to take in what the hell had just happened, and also to try and work out what we were going to do from then on.

The Kuwaiti's were the ones who immediately went crazy donating a lot of money in a very short amount of time to say thanks for our efforts to help them, and slowly but surely the British public got involved and eventually there was a great deal of money but little plan of action to know what to do with it all.

It sat about for a couple of years before a decision was made to give portions of it directly to the families in a Fund format with each family receiving an annual amount to help them out; my mother used her slab to give myself and my two brothers a solid education (we'd moved around a great deal as kids), and also used some to help her retrain as a teacher so that she could get on with things now that she was expected to be the sole bread winner. It worked for us and for a lot of families actually sitting down and discussing what was better in the long term was better than the intial flood of gifts and presents we recieved. Whilst over the moon at the time, receiving a black binliner full of penny chews probably wasn't the best use of money in that situation. I did enjoy those jelly lips and chocolate buttons though!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that instead of rushing in and making a decision, it might be better to give it some time, and allow the family to sort something out. They might at the end of the day wish for nothing to happen and just to move along. Give the guy and the girls family a chance to breathe initially, don't immediately remind them of what has just happened.

It was actually the anniversary of my dads death on wednesday and I was down in St Pauls crypt at the Gulf memorial. Very sad to go from there to learn of someone on here having an experience of similar magnitude. Heart goes out to the guy, terrible news.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that instead of rushing in and making a decision, it might be better to give it some time, and allow the family to sort something out. They might at the end of the day wish for nothing to happen and just to move along. Give the guy and the girls family a chance to breathe initially, don't immediately remind them of what has just happened.

Agreed.

This really shouldn't be about what we would like to do. It's fine to make suggestions and so on but the most important thing is what the family and friends want.

It would also be nice to hear from Velcro, to tell us more about Eilidh. Ghost bikes, slow rides and so on all seem a little formulaic. It would be better to do something that comemmorates the person, not just the rider.

That said, I think it would be a really nice gesture to offer a tweed cortege.

There are some great ideas up there but, as has been said, we need to wait and hear if the family want anything. People grieve in different ways and we need to respect that.

IME, very few people want to receive flowers at funerals. Some form of donation to charity is almost always welcomed more, but everyone is different.

Will assist with time and/or money when the time comes.

I think a ghost bike is a much better idea than most, this shows respect and gives friends, family and others a place to reflect and mourn. I also think a HUGE go slow ride through london is needed to highlight the need for something to be done about HGV's.

This is just my personal gut feeling, but if it were me I would absolutely hate there to be a ghost bike to remind everyone of my death and the way it happened. Obviously I'd not be around to complain, but if it was my girlfriend or something I'd feel the same. It seems like hijacking the one most terrible (and yet possibly the least important) day in a whole life of good things worth remembering, and not respectful at all. The grave is a place where mourning can happen, and crucially, it's also a place the grieving can choose not to go to. A white bike in the street is like a permanent scar, reminding them of the worst day of their lives every time they happen to see it.

I would suggest nothing more than a simple bouquet and card for the family and a donation to a charity of their choice, and do something like a ride or a political/publicity campaign to make truck drivers fit safety mirrors and use them. But then I don't think we should assume anything without the family's consent or backing.

A ghost bike is a great idea but I also think that something that brings us together and shows the family that so many Londoners care about what has happened to their loved one would be good. Couldn't we combine the two?

A mass ride along her commute with a stop to dedicate the ghost bike?

In my years of racing motocross I was unfortunate enough to have 2 friends die in accidents and on each occasion I had some stickers made with their name and race numbers and sold them at race meetings, to friends and on some mx forums. On the first occasion I gave the money to our local mx benevolent fund and the second the money was forwarded to his family. Unfortunatley I don't see the guy that made the stickers for me but if anyone can from here can do them they were always popular way for people to remember fallen riders.

I've written an email to Boris telling him about this tragedy and asking him to get involved, show a bit of leadership on the HGV issue as a cyclist himself.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this.

I think a ride would be a great idea and we could extend the honour to all the cyclists who have been killed and injured. A joyful and peaceful ride, maybe we could all wear white.

Been reading what everyone has been writing and lots of great ideas as well as love and affection on the forum which is great. I amnt very good at getting my ideas into words but here are my thougths:

A couple of the ideas I like alot is the charity donation/spoke cards (or stickers) and a ride. The ghostbike would serve as a great monument/warning however I am in total agreement with BlueQuinn. Of course what ever we do, will be with the families consent.

Like I said I aint good at writing stuff but although I never knew Eilidh I still think it would be great to show her family that they are in our thoughts.

I will help in anyway I can.

even though it's a little cliche, i think if it's possible to get everybody to sign a card or something (take it to drinks all week?) and send it with flowers (which don't have to cost 400 pounds) to the family would be really meaningful. it's not a huge obtrusive gesture but they can see how many people are touched by their daughter's senseless death. then maybe a ride or something larger whenever it is appropriate.

I think a ride would be a great idea and we could extend the honour to all the cyclists who have been killed and injured. A joyful and peaceful ride, maybe we could all wear white.

I was thinking this too, an option would be to organise a bike ride between all the cyclist forums in London to promote bike safety.

400 pounds isn't that much for the forum is it... we have 6000 member... fiver each from half of us = 15000!!

We could really do something meaning full with that amount of cash. Bike safety course or charity.. etc etc

I think a ride would be a great idea and we could extend the honour to all the cyclists who have been killed and injured. A joyful and peaceful ride, maybe we could all wear white.

Spot on.

My take, apologies if it sounds preachy:

By all means use this tragic event as a catalyst, but don't centre whatever action results on it. If there is to be a tribute, make it to all cyclists killed or injured, from the girl on her fixed-wheel to the middle-aged suit on a brompton.
If a ride-out is the concensus, why not a fun-run. A celebration of cycling, with as many ages and machines represented. By all means people can make personal tribute, like on a 'moon-walk'.
Spoke cards is good, make them a fiver though eh! Start a giving fund and let other groups know.
The proceeds can be used to offer discounted/free cycle training, perhaps to schools, youth groups etc.

I'm pretty sure this will make the news, the death of young women often does. Lets throw our net nice and wide and offer a truly positive tribute.

I like the idea of us all signing a card. That immediately makes it a nicely personal expression of our sympathy and well-wishes. Ghost bikes, rides, and so forth may come across as hijacking their grief for our own aims, which I'd never want to be a part of.

I agree with something for the family - a card or a donation to a charity.

Overall, why not have a Rememberance Ride? It would be to remember all cyclist killed without singling out one over another. I think it should be fun (after all that's why people cycle), but have an appropriate moment of reflection.

Agree that a card signed at drinks this week would be great, it might be nice to include the url of the original thread for all of the prople who won't be about to sign it.

In the longer term i am in favour of a ride along her commute, and a charitable donation.

Not knowing either of the individuals directly involved in this i'll only offer my personal opinion based on personal experience.

My dad was killed in the Gulf War back in 1991 and after operations were over there was a big rush and a lot of talk to try and get something organised immediately to help the families and the such in a time that was pretty dark for all involved. Whilst it was nice to know that people cared, what we all really wanted was a little time to take in what the hell had just happened, and also to try and work out what we were going to do from then on.

The Kuwaiti's were the ones who immediately went crazy donating a lot of money in a very short amount of time to say thanks for our efforts to help them, and slowly but surely the British public got involved and eventually there was a great deal of money but little plan of action to know what to do with it all.

It sat about for a couple of years before a decision was made to give portions of it directly to the families in a Fund format with each family receiving an annual amount to help them out; my mother used her slab to give myself and my two brothers a solid education (we'd moved around a great deal as kids), and also used some to help her retrain as a teacher so that she could get on with things now that she was expected to be the sole bread winner. It worked for us and for a lot of families actually sitting down and discussing what was better in the long term was better than the intial flood of gifts and presents we recieved. Whilst over the moon at the time, receiving a black binliner full of penny chews probably wasn't the best use of money in that situation. I did enjoy those jelly lips and chocolate buttons though!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that instead of rushing in and making a decision, it might be better to give it some time, and allow the family to sort something out. They might at the end of the day wish for nothing to happen and just to move along. Give the guy and the girls family a chance to breathe initially, don't immediately remind them of what has just happened.

It was actually the anniversary of my dads death on wednesday and I was down in St Pauls crypt at the Gulf memorial. Very sad to go from there to learn of someone on here having an experience of similar magnitude. Heart goes out to the guy, terrible news.

I think this is a *hugely *relevant post. Thanks to chug_it for sharing.

i will gladly shell out money, parts and my time.

i do think that organising

1] flowers from us all as a community for her funeral

2] a memorial ride.

two things that seems fitting for such an event.

if you can organize a ride, i would happily drag my ass to london to be a part.

Just a suggestion but would a memorial plaque from the forum not be a nice gesture. Something small, something personal but more importantly something permanent.

I'm happy to donate for flowers etc but feel that once done it its all forgotten.

Just a suggestion.

Can I suggest splitting this into two things?

I think having a whip-round for flowers or some such is a lovely idea, but again, we should be careful not to impose on Eilidh's family's grieving - I completely agree with Chug-It that most people just want to be left alone to deal with their loss.

But I do think that we should do a bike ride - not in her name, but in the name of every cyclist who's been killed or injured in the last few years. We should reach out to all the other online cycling communities and ask them to join in, and ride to City Hall and give a letter to Boris. We should make the point that we're a community, that we include Londoners from all walks of life, and that we're sick of our friends and loved ones getting hurt or killed because we're treated like second-class citizens on the road.

Which might take a little organisation, but fuck it, it's about time we made some noise.