You are reading a single comment by @almac68 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.
@almac68
thanks guys for your valuable imput and votes..
I sat on a jury in Guidhall Crown Court summer 2005. the case lasted 8 days, it was Death by Dangerous Driving, we had 15 different eye witness accounts describing .. a girl aged 24 cycling slowly across a pelican crossing outside Embankment Station to get to the westbound carriageway, car hits her full impact throws her 50 metres with bike towards hungerford bridge.. she was killed instantly.. driver 21 years stone sober.. girl had been out on a hen night 5 times over the drink drive limit with her closest and dearest friends and was cycling home it was 1.00am
It was probably the worst 8 days of my life.. and made me think real hard about what is going on here in London.. this wasn't a murder or suicide, but a very tragic and real accident.. the friends are the ones living with the guilt of letting proceed home.. she should have left the bike, and jumped in a taxi with others..
driver got three years prision is a life worth that! Judge decides not us.. plus a lifetime ban.. it was a terrible burden making a guilty discision against the defendant (driver) the jury was split 10-2 in favour of guilty, but I argued to my fellow jurors that even if he was driving 32 miles an hour when he got to the crossing, he is still breaking the law.. 25 miles an hour she my have never walked again.. we never did conclude whether it was a red or green light witnesses were split, and some of the speed estimates were wildly exaggerated.. upto 60mph we got the two extra votes after 4 hours deliberating..
We all need to think about what we are prepared to give up if it means saving a life, your life.. I ride without a helmet a stupid risk.. you will agree.. others jump lights.. your shout, you decide..
One thing I would change is riders attitude to other road users.. we are not indestructible and some riders selfishly give us all a bad name.. and think they own the road.. think about it..
peace..