Hit and run drivers!

Just got to work after being swept off my feet going up Brixton Hill. It wasn't a bad accident and the bike and myself are fine, but the stupid woman who knocked me off was happy to drive off and leave me on the floor while I shouted at her.

This is my first knockdown since starting cycling in London (ok I've not been cycling in London too long) but I've had a few near misses. It wouldn't be too much of a problem if she would have just showed some concern for me instead of flooring it when the light went green.

It happened at the junction where the Lollipop lady is in the mornings and she was in the middle of the road letting the kids cross. I slowed down as I approached the lights, there was a copper coloured clio just outside the box and I went round the outside of it to get into the cycle box and wait for the lights. As I got parrallel with the driver side door, the car lurches forward and knocks me sideways into the opposite lane and my foot sticks in the cage on my pedals.

Knee, elbow then head hit the floor and the lights then turn green and the driver speeds off. I pick myself up as quickly as possible and every other car apart from her has stopped as I lurch across the stationary traffic to the pavement to dust myself off. The sweet little lollipop lady is asking if I'm alright as the traffic gets back to normal. I thank her for her concern, check if my wheels are still true and I get back on my way.

I'm pissed off that I got caught out going at a slow speed on my bike and I didn't react in time and looked a fool as I fell over in what felt like a slow motion action sequence. It probably looked funny. I just hope the bitch has a nice scratch down the side of her shite little renault!

The coppers will treat "failure to stop", "failure to report" and "leaving the scene of an accident" more seriously than the accident, slightly oddly.

So always worth reporting- maybe have a word with the lollypop lady tomorrow morning and ask her to be a witness?

And do it quickly, cos Lambeth is scrapping lollipop persons.

Cheers for the advice guys. I ride this route everyday and although I've had some close scrapes this knocked my confidence on the bike a little. I didn't get the registration number or a good look at the driver, so I'm not really sure what the police will do.

Guys at work are taking this opportunity to shout at me for not wearing a helmet, which is bugging me more than the accident now. I don't wear one, I never wore one while riding BMX or skating. I've injured myself before and it's my choice. The one thing that didn't hit the road earlier was my head. I'm probably a bit arrogant towards helmet wearing and I'm not anti helmet, just pro choice.

What percentage of LFGSS wear a helmet on a day to day basis?

I wear one more often than not, but in your case this morning would a helmet have stopped the woman from hitting you?

And do it quickly, cos Lambeth is scrapping lollipop persons.

That's funny, Lambeth is the only place I see them these days, they're everywhere there (and in some very bizarre places, the one that stops people half way round a roundabout round the back of streatham has nearly caused pile ups on several occasions)

I would start a new thread in each forum, and ask that very question.

/trolling_on_by

All your helmet answers can be found here. And I do mean all.

lies, does not give %age, nerged

The coppers will treat "failure to stop", "failure to report" and "leaving the scene of an accident" more seriously than the accident, slightly oddly.

I'd echo this. I got hit from behind last week whilst stationary by someone that didnt stop. Not quite as lucky as the OP (trashed frame and wheel and hurt back). I caught him as he got stuck in traffic and stopped him from driving off again by standing in front of him. After I called the police and despite me relaying their instruction that he had to stay he upped and left. The police don't appear at all interested in the driving offence but are clearly far from happy that he left the scene and appear to be going after him for that.

It took me an hour to fill out the forms for the police. Time well spent if the guy gets prosecuted.

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to prancer again."

Fuck. Can't neg.

Reported instead.

ha ha!

nerg nonny nonny

Guys at work are taking this opportunity to shout at me for not wearing a helmet,

Punch them hard in the face, a right cross or left hook will do it. Then have a go at them for not wearing a gum-shield.

Glad you're OK, despite the irresponsible fucking bitch.

That's funny, Lambeth is the only place I see them these days, they're everywhere there (and in some very bizarre places, the one that stops people half way round a roundabout round the back of streatham has nearly caused pile ups on several occasions)

Southwark as well dude, it's simply because of the mass of babies/small children/bigger children in Lambeth and Southwark due to the mass of retards that breed like they needed a council property.

What percentage of LFGSS wear a helmet on a day to day basis?

In all honestly, Cycle Training make a bigger difference than a mere piece of styrofoam loosely attached to your head.

While Cycle Training won't make the driver of that Cilo behave in traffic, it will help you to avoid such collision from happening, i.e. ride in a certain manner that give you room for error.

That's funny, Lambeth is the only place I see them these days, they're everywhere there (and in some very bizarre places, the one that stops people half way round a roundabout round the back of streatham has nearly caused pile ups on several occasions)

There's one at the end of my street. I noticed her coz she's actually youngish. The ones we had in Oz arrived with the first fleet.

what % of drivers are uninsured ?

what % of drivers should not be on the road for one reason or another ?

That's funny, Lambeth is the only place I see them these days, they're everywhere there (and in some very bizarre places, the one that stops people half way round a roundabout round the back of streatham has nearly caused pile ups on several occasions)

Add Tower Hamlets and Newham

Actually not sure about Newham.

@OP ask your colleagues whether they wear body armour for crossing the road.
Glad you're well. This adds to the bike camera thoughts I've had for quite some time now.

yes op.

glad you are ok.

newham is bad.

i saw a hit and run in newham. stratford.

a mercedes knocked down an 18 year old girl who was crossing the road outside her house. she was on a zebra crossing.

the mercedes had nearly hit me moments before.

the merc drove off. i gave chase. and got the reg plate.

i then returned to the scene. family outside the house.

i had to give a witness statment.

the police did not seem interested one bit. the officer complained to me he was cold. i suggested he put a coat on. he said no this wont take long.

nice one eh ?

i never heard anything.

i did call in on the family a couple of times after.

the girl had a few days in hospital but thankfully made a full recovery.

there are speed bumps on that bit of london now. major road e15 near junction with chobham.

anyways off to bed now.

Police not interested after ped hit&run? Seriously, wtf do we pay them for?

To beat up students?

Actually not sure about Newham.

Is the Leytonstone High Rd bit down from Thatched House towards Maryland Newham or still LBWF? There are lollypop ladies on the junction with Chobham Rd.

There was a big accident in Cathall today. Don't know the details, but the air ambulance was here and someone mentioned a lorry.

thought id share an experience i had yesterday.

riding from hackney to eltham, i was riding through greenwich park up shooters hill road. there is a cycle lane as part of the road which i was cycling along. i noticed a land rover thing weaving slightly in and out of the cycle lane so i tried to be particularly cautious passing. (traffic was moving at about 15mph).
i got alongside his rear car door to see it was a 60 something man texting away as he drove. just then he swerved into the cycle lane and squashed me into the kerb. i banged on his window as i was cm's from being knocked off. he was still oblivious to how he was driving.
soon as i hit his window he shot off.

i chased after him and caught him at some lights and he was still texting. i shouted at him, and all he could repeatedly say was 'im terribly sorry' in such a middle class way. i just hope the fright of me having a go will make him not do it future.
i doubt it though.....

the annoying part was the builders in the van behind calling me a wanker because i held up traffic as i shouted at the guy in the land rover.

moral of the story, dont go south of the river

There's one at the end of my street. I noticed her coz she's actually youngish.

Check you out, kerb crawling lollipop ladies.

You'll be asking traffic wardens for a reach round next.

moral of the story, dont go south of the river

That's a terribly middle class thing to say old chap.