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

I really hope for the best, and while of course we all hope that these aren't life threatening, even crippling injuries or just broken bones are terrible. I'm no statsitician but there is a common thread in almost all of these incidents.

If her internal organs weren't damaged, then, although the injuries are probably really nasty, she should be ok.

I really hope for the best, and while of course we all hope that these aren't life threatening, even crippling injuries or just broken bones are terrible. I'm no statsitician but there is a common thread in almost all of these incidents.

The common thread is that a lorry ran over a cyclist.

The common thread is that a lorry ran over a cyclist.

Exactly.

It looks as if a few forumengers have been hitting the comments on the Standard web-site. Also some other usual suspects I know make for one of the best comments sections I've seen on that site, well, ever, really, never mind the odd person posting a poorly-thought out comment. Well done.

All our good wishes are with the riders.

hmm. they didn't publish my first comment. I'm off to write a more tempered one...

From a posting on bikeradar:

*"The woman that was hit by the cement truck is my daughter. Luckily she only suffered a fractured pelvis. She is a very lucky woman. She often has her 3 year old daughter with her...but didn't this time...Thought everyone would like to know. *

I'm in the US and my daughter, husband and daughter live and work in London. She was on her way to work....truck driver never saw her...even after she was under the truck...a witness had to get him to stop. If he hadn't stopped, my daughter would most likely have been killed. Very scary."

Thank god she survived. Thank god she never had her kid with her, although I do believe that people who cycle around London with young children on board have been stroked gently by the hand of madness.

Thank god she survived. Thank god she never had her kid with her, although I do believe that people who cycle around London with young children on board have been stroked gently by the hand of madness.

Part of the reason that there is a problem getting adults on bikes, is because they didn't ride when they were kids. Having a kid with you on your bike is surely the right way to start a kid on the righteous way of bike-dom. Bike seat, then trailer bike, then own bike. A few of my messenger mates have done this with their kids.

Part of the reason that there is a problem getting adults on bikes, is because they didn't ride when they were kids. Having a kid with you on your bike is surely the right way to start a kid on the righteous way of bike-dom. Bike seat, then trailer bike, then own bike. A few of my messenger mates have done this with their kids.

+1.

Part of the reason that there is a problem getting adults on bikes, is because they didn't ride when they were kids. Having a kid with you on your bike is surely the right way to start a kid on the righteous way of bike-dom. Bike seat, then trailer bike, then own bike. A few of my messenger mates have done this with their kids.

Yeah I can understand that - but I really do shudder when I see a mum wobbling through rush-hour traffic with a toddler in one of those chairs. They just look too vulnerable to me - but then I don't have kids so can't really comment.

P

but how vulnerable would they appear if there was less traffic?

Yeah I can understand that - but I really do shudder when I see a mum wobbling through rush-hour traffic with a toddler in one of those chairs. They just look too vulnerable to me - but then I don't have kids so can't really comment.
P

Everyone looks more vulnerable on a bike when viewed from the roadside. The road is a 3D environment, when we look at it from the pavement it's foreshortened and the gaps between different sized vehicles moving at different speeds are difficult to judge.

I ride with my daughter (on a child seat originally and now on a trailer bike and soon (hopefully) on her own bike). She's fine. We get (and make) plenty of space on the road. Even the psychos slow down. She does all the hand signals for example and loves to be on the bike. I only wish I could afford a tandem for us both.

I used to ride on the back of my dads bike, but i do think that i wouldnt ride with my child on the back round Londons streets, just not worth the risk, i too see all the nodders in chelsea, kid on back sans helmet, and cant bring myself to look as i am sure they are an accident waitng to happen

i dont have kids but if i did no way i'd take em on one of those rear bike seat things. when i was couriering i used to see a guy with a kind of cargo bike thing with a box on the front and two or three kids in there with helmets on, seemed safer having them on the front but still, on the road.

anyone who has cycled in gothenberg or berlin knows london is not a cycle friendly city, bike lanes should be seperate from the road if the avaerage cyclist is to feel safe. I am interested to see these cycle superhighways.

My mothers bike had a very small saddle mounted on the top tube with small foot pegs on the down tube- I'd happily sit on the small saddle, feet on the pegs and hands on the handlebars as she peddled around Cambridge, then Winchester.

Seated where I was her arms were around me as she held the handlebars and I always felt safe and enjoyed it.

you know, I've noticed that people with child seat (and have child in them), vehicles seemed to give them more room and are very considerated.

anyone who has cycled in gothenberg or berlin knows london is not a cycle friendly city, bike lanes should be seperate from the road if the avaerage cyclist is to feel safe. I am interested to see these cycle superhighways.

we just need to get the law sorted thought, like motorised vehicle are at fault when in a collision with cyclists unless proven otherwise like they do in Europe before creating those cycle superhighways.

I am interested in seeing less motorised vehicles in London.

I have directed the parent of the cyclist to this website. Can any witnesses report what they have seen to the police as witnesses are paramount in cycling accidents.

you know, I've noticed that people with child seat (and have child in them), vehicles seemed to give them more room and are very considerated.

+1

theres a woman on my commute who has an empty child seat, I still find myself giving her more room!

I used to ride with my dad in seattle, I'd say even though the roads are smaller here it's a hell of a lot safer. My girlfriend rides with her son on the school run (sometimes at least) and frankley mothers in their chelsea tractors are the worst drivers on the road. But joining them isn't going to make the road any safer.

ps Thanks!

Fingers crossed for a full recovery. Its hard to say that motor should take more blame as I do see alot of cyclists pulling stupid moves as well. It would be nice to see less motor vehicles in London, but that is not going to happen realistically as its not only vital to keep things moving, but the attitude of the some motorists will never change.

I'd say better training for all parties and a few more preventative methods such as more bike lanes, etc. would help.

I have directed the parent of the cyclist to this website. Can any witnesses report what they have seen to the police as witnesses are paramount in cycling accidents.

But please don't post any witness statements to this site - can possibly prejudice any future prosecution!

i dont have kids but if i did no way i'd take em on one of those rear bike seat things. when i was couriering i used to see a guy with a kind of cargo bike thing with a box on the front and two or three kids in there with helmets on, seemed safer having them on the front but still, on the road.

Robin and his kids. They came on Eilidh's memorial ride.

anyone who has cycled in gothenberg or berlin knows london is not a cycle friendly city, bike lanes should be seperate from the road if the avaerage cyclist is to feel safe. I am interested to see these cycle superhighways.

And this is the justification for parents driving their kids to school, instead of letting them cycle.