2009-04-09 - Rider Down/Fatality, Goswell Rd and Clerkenwell/Old St

Oh god. My stomach sank when I heard about the one on Old Street - and now I find out there were two! I get more and more terrified every time this happens - because sooner or later it's going to be someone I know.

Much much sympathy to everyone affected by this.

And:

Does London have any kind of annual ghost bike ride? Pretty sure NY does. I think something to bring attention to how many cyclists lose their lives on London's streets is needed. How about having a proportion of riders involved wearing only white- 'ghost riders'- representing the lost lives?

I had exactly the same idea a couple of months ago (after the last death). I also like the idea of chaining bikes across the road at rush hour - but yes, I think (as Julio(?) said) the thing that's really going to make a difference is a high-profile advertising campaign, and sustained media attention. Is there any way we can persuade Boris to make this his pet cause?

I realised how dangerous HGV's in the city are last year, when I saw I saw a woman run over by a cement mixer on the Holloway Rd. The cyclist was on the driver side, in high vis, the driver just drifted into the middle of the road and never even saw her.

HGV's are designed for motorway driving not inner cities. Riding next to those and looking at the wheels you realise you'll never stand a chance.

They should at least be banned during commuter hours.

God this is horrible news. RIP

thats terrible.

Terrible. RIP

Deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the three fatalities.

If you are worried, many boroughs are running safe road cycle courses either for free or at a heavily discounted cost.

Grim day, R.I.P.

R.i.p.

This article seems well informed:http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/content/islington/gazette/news/story.aspx?brand=ISLGOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsislg&itemid=WeED09%20Apr%202009%2018%3A19%3A11%3A953

I just feel sick inside, angry for the unnecessary death, and so, so sad for her family.

The key to safe riding I think is see and be seen.. whether is lights, bright clothing (my wife is still nagging me on this one), out in the middle and not between parked cars and left hand lanes squeezing through gaps or weaving in and out of traffic.. also better to arrive alive, instead or 5 minutes early.. this will be no consolation to the fallen and their loved ones.. .. keep this thread going with as much advice as possible to members..

Rest in peace, my condolences to her family, can't imagine what they are going through right now.

Only just read this. Tragic, tragic news.

Rest in Peace

..my friend just told me about this today, it's horrible, horrible, scary.
so so sad. she was lovely.

this is so sad. it makes me so angry when i see ads promoting cycling in london when the infrastructure just isn't there for it. saw the ad a lot while i was in hospital after my accident...

would def be up for a ghost bike ride, think it's a great idea.

The victim in this collision has been named as 29-year old Rebecca Goosen:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23676168-details/First+photos+of+women+killed+within+24+hours/article.do

The article also contains information about Meryem Ozekman, who died at the Elephant and Castle the previous day.

Christ, that brought it close to home. I work just around the corner from there - had wondered what had happened that morning - and I know quite a few German architects who live out east and commute down that way. Never knew the girl personally, but I have a feeling someone I know will probably have known her.

RIP, in any case. If I have time today I think I'll take some flowers.

im actually sick to my stomach that the fatalities numbers are now expected to be so high that an annual remembrance ride seems such a good idea.

R.I.P.

my thoughts go out to those you have left behind you.

hey oliver and hippy,

thanks for the info.

i will be writing to my mp three times.

once for each death.

others on the forum may wish to do the same.

I've been away so haven't had time to post on this thread but I saw the aftermath and the state of the bike in the middle of the road. If Hillbilly hadn't told me what had happened I wouldn't have even realised the scrap of metal on the floor had been a bike.

Truely distressing. My thoughts are with the family and friends of the cyclist and also with the Driver.

Please take care when you're on the roads.

From an article in Building Design about the cyclist/architect:

The firm [Metropolitan Workshop, where she was employed] is now looking into working more closely with the London Cycling Campaign and is planning to make a donation in the memory of Ms Goossen. A memorial service for her in London is planned for 23/24 May which will be attended by her parents and brother.

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3138801&origin=BDdaily

Also, Critical Mass this Friday will be going to the scene of her death to pay tribute. Meet at 6:30pm under the south end of Waterloo Bridge, outside the BFI South Bank, Friday 24/4/09, for a start around 7pm.

I ride past this junction every day, in fact, I'm about to. It's a horrible junction, too easily under respected, and the cycle lanes are a mistake. Especially when there are ques, as there are at the moment with the good weather. I definitely don't think either party will have been guilty of negligent riding, it is the layout and volume/profile of traffic which is to blame.

Terrible news, my heart goes out to the family, and I'm putting my name in for any ride/action that is taken.

It's a horrible junction, too easily under respected, and the cycle lanes are a mistake. Especially when there are ques, as there are at the moment with the good weather. I definitely don't think either party will have been guilty of negligent riding, it is the layout and volume/profile of traffic which is to blame.

Rider wasn't in a bike lane; there isn't one westbound on Old Street into this junction.

From an article in Building Design about the cyclist/architect:

The firm [Metropolitan Workshop, where she was employed] is now looking into working more closely with the London Cycling Campaign and is planning to make a donation in the memory of Ms Goossen. A memorial service for her in London is planned for 23/24 May which will be attended by her parents and brother.

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3138801&origin=BDdaily

Just got a text from a mate who works at Met-Workshop
Critical Mass 2nite: There'll be a minutes silence at this and the elephant and castle site where another cyclist died this month
sad stuff :(