2009-09-17 - Cyclist down, Poynders Road roundabout

I too live just around the corner from this and that junction has borne witness to many accidents. My sympathies to all involved.

At the risk of sounding very controversial, given the circumstances, I witnessed a cyclist get crushed by a truck at the junction of Sloane Street and Cadogan Place earlier this year. In this particular incident the cyclist was totally at fault as the truck was turning left off Sloane Street, having indicated his intent, but for some reason the cyclist decided to undertake him. Inevitably there was no way that the truck driver could have seen the cyclist as at the point of turning the cyclist would not have been visible in his mirrors. I have also witnessed many other incidents of cyclist stupidity undertaking busses and other vehicles that are turning left having properly indicated their intent.

The summer always brings out the fair weather brigade many of whom have very little road craft,if any, and it's hardly any wonder that such accidents occur. Those of us who are more experienced (and particularly as car drivers ourselves) might be less likely to be involved in such incidents.

Perhaps cycle retailers should do more to encourage more riders to take part in cycling proficiency schemes, or even make it compulsory when purchasing a new bike, so that can at least some basic road craft skills can be taught particularly to those that do not or never have driven/ridden on public roads.

I am in no way defending car/truck drivers as of course there are a great many of them who drive in a most idiotic and dangerous way, I'm merely saying that in some cases they are not always at fault and that as a community we ought to perhaps do more to encourage safer riding skills.