2009-06-02 - Rider Down - Peckham

I think a decent thing to do would be the extension of the project (I forget the name for it) wherein a huge amount of the street furniture such as the railings which leave you no-where to go are removed.

If the railing is not there on a corner then you cannot be crushed against it- and it has been a problem for a while as I remember my father warning me about it 14 years ago when I first came to London.

That said there needs to be a campaign educating people to the simple reality that the left hand side of an HGV is a dangerous place to be.

This may sound bizarre but it puts me in mind of other "London savvy" things- you would not take a short cut through Victoria Park late at night if on your own as we know that people get mugged there (Object springs to mind as the most recent), but that would not stop you going around it to get to Easts, in much the same way as we would not go down the left of an HGV, but would go around to the right or wait.

It's all about mitigating the risk.

I hope Commie is right and that the cyclist is in a situation from which they will recover, and I will happily contribute to a get well soon present of some description.

Does anyone on here know hot to do camera and cutting work?

Maybe a LFGSS video, that first illustrates the human cost (an interview with a relative of a victim, maybe even a driver, near misses, a policeman), then maybe filming some dangerous moves in London traffic and have people from the board explaining why it's a stupid thing to do.

Finally, spreading this video around on youtube, vimeo etc, and then linking it in every blog, Facebook comment, Myspace etc that we can.

I am sure that could have some impact if done well.

i can film and edit (used to work in tv) and would really love to help. think it's a great idea.

i also think that at a grass roots level, now that drivers do a written exam to get their licence, that maybe there should be a section on cycling. i think so much of the problem is that many drivers feel that cyclists don't have a right to be on the road (my friends included!) and part of it is because they are scared of hitting them, so get angry instead. perhaps if drivers were made more aware and had more respect for cyclists before they even passs their test it might help.

and yes, cyclists should also do awareness courses. it works both ways. as a passenger in london the other day, it was scary when cyclists seem to appear from all angles! i know i am super sensitive, but all the cyclists in rush hour nipping through cars and lorries scared me. too much metal!

then a cyclist in front of us was cycling with no hands, shopping bag hangling off the handle bars. we commented on how silly that was, then he got out his phone and read a text message while goinging along. my friend who was driving hung back (knowing i am a nervous passenger around cyclists!). he went to put the phone back in his back pocket, over balanced and swerved into the missle of the road in front of the car. he tried to right himseld, but the shopping bag overbalanced him and he came down hard in the middle of the road. he was so lucky we were hanging back, otherwise the car would have gone straight over him. as it was, he got away with a nasty bang to the elbow and a bruised ego. but cyclists like that really don't help the cause!

the video sounds like a good idea. could save many lives.

I opened a new thread for this, as I don't think this is the place:

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread23142.html

just glad that seemingly it wasn't one of the depressing fatal news and wish a quick recovery!

^^ i'm defo in for a video action. can film and edit, too + a make it look good providing some gfx work and/or make nice title gfx, lower 3rds and subs. so let's stick heads together and figure sth. out.

live saver video making list:

1. Pascalo (?) ideas, danger assessment for situation to be shot, writing treatment ?
   
2. jemjah (?) cam, editing (audio?) ?
   
3. reeen cam, editing, post pro + gfx (have my workstation, need shooting equip.), support for pre production stuff + treatment
   
   

i think a video that is unlike a driving school lesson, namely without any sense of fun and or humor in it, but with the necessary whittyness and passion/substance to become a valuable source of info and heads up for beginners and well made enough (entertaining maybe, not in a bad way) for more pro alley cats is whot i'd aim for (let's discuss and analize some footage out there).

plus i really like some forum 'authorities' being mugshot with comments or for advise, or better voice overs for situation descriptions and loadsa' unique ppl to make it interesting to watch and street cred! < haha!

a quick ride with crazy james and have the wise oliver comment it in the VO ;)

... anyone?

oops i didn't see the other thread, sry my mistake.

Driver was following sat-nav and swung a left when told. Inadequate checks? Don't know. Driver was arrested though. Not yet charged (these things take time). Cyclist has now come off the critical list and is apparently making a remarkable recovery. This from a reliable source this time. I hope!

Get well soon cyclist!!

That's refreshing news to her she's not been killed. Speedy recovery.

That's refreshing news ... Speedy recovery.

+lots

This from a reliable source this time. I hope!

Get well soon cyclist!!

with all due respect i think you should make your info sources concrete before posting news of probable cause of accident, police action, death or recovery.

sorry if i missed something

on britains roads it is about 3000 dead per year.

Somewhat overstated? According to ROSPA cyclists killed in 2007 numbered 136.
http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/advice/cycling/cycling_accidents.htm

These are reported deaths and I suspect around 2850 unreported deaths to be unlikely... Then again they also say that a whopping 150,000 cycling accidents happen off-road. That'll be the mountain bikers I guess...

Duh... Ignore me. Can't edit this post yet, but I misread yours. You were referring to accidents, not deaths

link to southwark news article:

http://www.southwarknews.co.uk/00,news,15320,185,00.htm

big love and speedy recovery x

Fantastic news!

Hopefully she'll recover quickly.

I think Somebody was refering to 3000 road deaths in total. The majority will be people in cars involved in impacts with other motorised vehicles or roadside objects. A sad waste of life but it seems that with the amount of metal boxes travelling so many miles at frequently inapropriate speeds this is as low as it can get. Pedestrian and cyclist deaths I believe can be reduced with a changes in urban design/planning. Real attitude changes from those in charge would help also of course rather than fashionable posturing.

Oh man just looked at that Southwark news article. How fucking crazy is it that this driver thought that was an appropriate way to take that corner in the most unmanouvourable vehicle imaginable. Such a vehicle should not be allowed to travel in an urban area without special permission and/or at least a well trained driver with mirrors that look down the whole of the left side of the vehicle. Cameras if thats not possible. Hopefully cctv will reveal when this person indicated this turn if at all. At least it wasn't a hit and run like that cyclist death at Grenwich but I guess its not a vehicle that you could run in.

then a cyclist in front of us was cycling with no hands, shopping bag hangling off the handle bars. we commented on how silly that was, then he got out his phone and read a text message while goinging along. my friend who was driving hung back (knowing i am a nervous passenger around cyclists!). he went to put the phone back in his back pocket, over balanced and swerved into the missle of the road in front of the car. he tried to right himseld, but the shopping bag overbalanced him and he came down hard in the middle of the road. he was so lucky we were hanging back, otherwise the car would have gone straight over him. as it was, he got away with a nasty bang to the elbow and a bruised ego. but cyclists like that really don't help the cause!

From your description, that certainly sounds like a strong contender for whooshhead of the month. FHS.

How fucking crazy is it that this driver thought that was an appropriate way to take that corner in the most unmanouvourable vehicle imaginable.

Sorry but I can't see anything wrong with the way the driver seems to have taken that corner. The truck has swung out nice and wide to stay on the road and not cut the corner.

Great news about the cyclist BTW. I was diverted by the accident in the morning and drove past early evening. The flowers were placed by a female cyclist - I saw her putting them on the railings as I drove past.

Sorry but I can't see anything wrong with the way the driver seems to have taken that corner. The truck has swung out nice and wide to stay on the road and not cut the corner.

Unfortunately, that's often what causes the danger, as following cyclists misinterpret the driver's purpose in swinging out wide and go on the inside. Of course, I have no idea if this is what happened here.

with all due respect i think you should make your info sources concrete before posting news of probable cause of accident, police action, death or recovery.

sorry if i missed something

Mea culpa. I apologised a bit earlier on the thread, I thought a police officer would be a reliable source of info. I won't be posting anything like that again unless I'm sure I'm sure. Apologies once again.

As far as police action goes, I'm a CPS lawyer -- I get that first hand!

Hi

I read that you went passed the accident on Peckham High Street on the second of june, I was the cyclist underneat (it was nice to see so many caring messages) and wondered if you could send me the picture.

I am trying to get witnesses as no one has come forward and there were two people one a cyclist/doctor and the other a biker (held my hand), who I would like to contact to thank and ask q's.

good luck freckles

Hi

I was the cyclist under the lorry, doing alot better now thanks, not yet back on a bike.

Was wondering what you saw as trying to piece together information and find at least two people that were there a cyclist who was a doctor and gave me medicine and a motorcyclist who held my hand.

I have only one witness whose statement is useless.

Thanks

Really pleased to see you posting freckles, the whole incident sounded horrific so we're very glad your still here with us.

I've just sent Wannabe, who posted that he'd taken a photo, a private message alerting him to your request. Hopefully he'll be in touch.