2012-10-22 - Rider Down, Bermondsey Street (SE1)

Last night just after 7pm someone from my work heard a crash just after he passed a cyclist going south on the 'contraflow' in Bermondsey st opposite the White Cube gallery. A woman cyclist on the ground was shocked and in pain but receiving attention from passers by. A car had come out of one of the narrow turnings, the driver said that he didn't see her and wasn't expecting anything to be coming from his right.
I hope it's not too serious and she recovers soon.

*22nd? Hope they're okay.

Date changed.

Hi all,
This was a good friend of mine from work. Glad to report she's okay - she is resting at home with cuts and bruises but quite a lot of shock.

Her brakes failed her with all the drizzle last night, so she couldn't stop even though she saw the driver in time. Police came, driver gave insurance details etc. Luckily a doctor and a nurse were walking by, who took her to the hospital. Thankfully it was only minor injuries.

Unfortunately that bit of Bermondsey Street is pretty hard to navigate, especially at the end of the day when it's busy and lots of cars don't notice the contraflow signs.

Thanks for the update Katiemay, please pass on our regards to your friend.

Thoroughly agree katie, i ride that road every day & more than once have been essentially driven at (forced off the carriageway), or politely (sic) informed that it's a one-way street. Considering it's on LCC's doorstep surely there is scope for it to be improved, the signs really aren't obvious - especially at night - & if you don't drive in the area regularly it could well come as a surprise. About time they banned parking along one side of the street & give us a proper contraflow lane. Best wishes to your friend from a fellow Bermondey St-er.

Katiemay, thanks for the reassuring news. I hope you can point your friend to the 'what to do in case of a crash' thread on this forum.
I will send you a PM with the email my work friend sent around, He is willing to write this up as a statement which should help any insurance claim as he reports what the driver said.
There isn't a contraflow sign facing that junction but there are plenty of others. You often find pedestrians as well as cyclists going south in the road, it is also hard to see when cars park all over the road after 6.30

Thanks for your well wishes - I have passed them on and it's made her smile through the bruises at least!