2009-08-10 - Rider Down, Southwark Bridge, North side

But it changes from a buggy into a bike... it's like a transformer...
(I am similarly over excited by bromptons transforming from a bike into luggage)

Imagine if it also turned into a cot, you could leave the kid in it 24/7!

A cargo bike would've been a better investment and much more enjoyable to ride.

Those are rentable from Richmond council I think - idea is yummy mummies leave the 4X4 at home. Great idea.

Bad morning for it this morning. There was a really bad accident between a car and a motorbike on the embankment next to Waterloo bridge too. Motorcycle was ripped in half. Can't see how the biker will have walked away from that one, hope the cyclist faired a little better.

Yeah, I saw that on my way to work. I must've got there just minutes after it had happened. Motorbike ripped in half, car was a complete wreck. I got off to walk around the outside pavement, walked past the motorcyclist who was surrounded by paramedics. Pool of blood coming from his legs, making the most chilling moaning noises. Kind of like whimpering, like he was crying for his mum or something.
It truly is spooky to see a fully grown man in that state.

I was trying to leave earlier that morning, but got delayed. Leaves you realizing how easily you could've been caught in the crossfire. Cyclists are scarily vulnerable.

the pavement is quite wide, maybe they could narrow it and put a line of three or four large, well-anchored iron bollards about a metre away from the kerb into the road. Then lorries/cars/buses would be forced to take a wider arc around the corner, and the bollards would protect cyclists/pedestrians.

i don't think i've ever seen this anywhere though - perhaps there is a reason it has not been implemented (e.g. because cars might go straight in to the bollards...)

i have had to step back often while standing waiting to cross at the pedestrian crossing as lorries/buses misjudge the corner and come up onto the pavement.

That's actually a good idea.

Although it may encourage more cyclists to stick to the left hand side rather than cycle in the main lanes. You'd still have the problem of lorry going left + cyclist going straight on = crash.

bit expensive but:
http://www.mothercare.com/Taga-Stroller-Bike-Red/dp/B0028XFJWG/sr=1-55/qid=1249402543/ref=sr_1_55/280-6026427-9426403?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=42803041&mcb=core

Support our friendly sponsor (where it's £200 cheaper too);

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Taga-Taga-Tricycle-Chassis-with-Child-Seat-Frame--Silver-20119.htm

I am the mother of the injured cyclist. Funny thing is that I saw the post saying that you directed me here on here...haven't seen it on the other thread yet.

My daughter does not have any internal injuries. Her pelvis is fractured and the doctors are trying to decide whether surgery is necessary. We'll know more later.

The man who stopped the truck responded to my post on another forum and I saw that this morning while I was talking on the phone with my daughter. We were both able thank this man for saving her life. The internet is truely amazing!

Glad to hear she's ok!!

Phew really glad to hear she's ok, thanks for coming on here and letting us know!

that's fantastic news, especially since the pelvis is likely to heal without surgery.

hi all. it's me, mandy, the cyclist run over by the cement lorry writing from the hospital. just wanted to say a couple things:
--thank you for saving my life, man who stopped the lorry.
--thanks for everyone else's well wishes
--i would never commute along this stretch with my daughter-- i usuallly take her south to her nursery. we go everywhere by bicycle and my husband has a cargobike Lilly rides in too.
--happy to provide more details later if anyone wants, when i have access to something better than this hospital thingy to type on.
thanks again

Hope the hospital meals aren't too traumatic ;)

Rest and heal quickly and well.

Nice that for once a thread of this type has a happy or at least happier ending.

All best wishes for your recovery, Mandy! It's very good to read that you're already back on the Internet.

fair point, I am aware that accidents happen and the fault does lay with the HGV's but I'm also saying on the way into work I see some cyclists pulling stupid moves with regards to cars.

I know that it isn't popular to hold these views but I have to agree. I've shuddered to see cyclists pulling out into traffic for example without looking and assuming that the traffic will make way for them, leave them enough room. I have to admit I almost did it yesterday in front of a bus but thought better of it. In that case the bus/ HGV would not have been at fault even though it would have hit me from behind.

Its too simplistic to assume that all HGV/ cyclist from behind accidents are the fault of the HGV. I'm not saying that its the case in any of the incidents listed above, but to assume that cyclist are never at fault is obviously wrong.

Rest and heal quickly and well.

Nice that for once a thread of this type has a happy or at least happier ending.

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get well soon

best wishes for a speedy recovery Mandy.

1. Thanks Mandy for posting and letting us know you're OK - It'll take a while but broken bones heal. I am so happy to read you're going to be OK. Thanks indeed to the man for stopping the truck.

2. That pushchair bike thing is the most awesome thing ever and if I ever have children I'm getting one.

3. I'm completely with Buffalo Bill on this issue. And the thing about a law making drivers automatically liable is twofold. firstly we don't have to guess at its effects. Lots of places have that law so we can go and find out the pros and cons. secondly it would make it much easier to get rogue drivers off the roads because they would have to prove there was no case, rather than the CPS having to prove there was one, so cases would be much more likely to go to court. It's a bit 'Code Napolean', but not without precedent in motoring law, viz: speeding tickets, not renewing tax, parking fines etc. We could extend it to make corporations responsible too.

4. I've been having a bit of a think, and seriously, just how much private car use is there in London? I think the message has got through. well over half, maybe 3/4s of the traffic is people driving for work - cabs, vans, minicabs, slightly posher minicabs - airport chauffeurs etc, trucks, buses. Are we fighting the wrong fight here, and missing a more appropriate one?

Best wishes and good lucky with your recovery!

Ditto to all of the above posts, sooooo pleased to hear ur ok!
And a special mention to the heroic fellow you was there when you needed help!
Best wishes to you and your family.

All the best Mandy... Hope you heal up.

Thanks for posting.
T.

Glad to hear you're okay Mandy, heal up quickly!

Indeed, hope you recover well and swiftly Mandy

get well soon,parents cycling with children should be allowed to ride on the pavements

I thought "Pretty Woman" had a great ending but this has got it licked and then some!

Get well soon Mandy

Mandy, its great to hear that you're going to be okay.

Mandy's mum, I'm so happy for you also, as I know what worrying over a distant child can be like.

To both of you, welcome to Lfgss.

Hopefully Mandy, when you're up and about, and when you have considered it, you might join us for a social?
Bring the hubby. I'm not so nice, but many others on here are. ;)

And to the man who flagged down the truck and helped save Mandy's life, please make yourself known to us on here. We owe you a pint for your most excellent good deed.

I'm not speaking for all of us, because I can't, but I know I'm speaking for some of us.

This is such happy news.