2011-12-02 - Rider Down/Fatality, Tower Bridge

I've been to a few funerals over the years but nothing prepared me for the grief that I witnessed and experienced at the funeral of a young friend a few years back.

Seeing a mother or father grieving for a lost child is both harrowing and haunting. Hearing about Ellie's family conducting themselves with such dignity and strength quite frankly fills me with awe and admiration.

Hi All, This is a bump to encourage folk to attend the Vigil for Ellie Carey at Bermondsey Square. Meeting at 6, this Wednesday (14th). Ellie was my cousin, a really sweet girl, a massive loss. Lets drive this message home & make a difference. Thanks in advance for your support. Andy

@SteppinRazor / Andy I'm really sorry for your loss. I'll be there at the vigil tomorrow.

Will try to be there too

Bump.
Important will be there

I'll be there.

will be there for a little while.

can't be there tonight but will be thinking of you all and Ellie

I'll be there.

The local councillor has posted on the SE1 site with more details: meeting at the Shortwave Cinema
http://www.london-SE1.co.uk/whatson/event/11949

I'll be there.

The local councillor has posted on the SE1 site with more details: meeting at the Shortwave Cinema
http://www.london-SE1.co.uk/whatson/event/11949

Great, see some of you later. Have heard there's going to be press there so important there is a solid turn out for her and the wider issue of cycle safety. See you all later.

Meet outside Shortwave Cinema, Bermondsey Sq 5.45PM
Walk to the junction for 6PM

Can't believe it, 22, rip

I'll see you all there.

Bump!!!

Very moving vigil for Ellie. Over a hundred of us there plus reporters. Too many young lives needlessly lost on our streets this year. We won't give up our fight!

very good turn out. sadly couldnt hear a word being said by simon hughes as the megaphone was too low. i hope some good comes of it.

Thanks to everyone for coming down and showing your support tonight. Ellie was my amazing little cousin. Big turnout really meant a lot to the family.

You're more than welcome.

A moving vigil in Bermondsey for** Ellie Carey** - the 16th cyclist killed in London this year.

Over 100 of us gathered in the bitter cold at the Shortwave cinema, Bermondsey Square, with candles, signs, flags (and bikes) to pay our respects to the young woman, show our support for her loved ones and our anger/sorrow/frustration that yet another life has needlessly been cut short on London's roads.

The sombre crowd included family and friends of course, cyclists, cycling campaigners, local residents and politicians/London Assembly members/Councillors Jenny Jones, Simon Hughes, Carolin Pidgeon and Mark Gettleson. Lots of press there tonight too.

Simon Hughes spoke about the need to act on these tragedies and the huge potential there is in bringing the families of those who have died together to speak out and galvanise actual change. After all, it is the families who are so deeply affected and for whom the grief is most felt - surely they cannot be ignored as we campaigners have, from time to time, felt ourselves to be. I feel I've heard all this before - let's hope words do now turn in to action.

Take great care out there everyone.
Alex

sorry i missed it.

well done to everybody who did turn out.

yes i pray for ellie, her friend and family.

lets hope we get change for the better.

Very good turn out tonight, though we were very close to the junction and some of us was quite near the narrow road...that junction is just way too small for any car or cyclist to turn (not even lanes for bike to ride or stop at the lights =s)

Was nice to part of it. Too bad Simon Hughes couldn't be heard over the roar of the traffic, but I'm sure he said some good things. Quite moving to see such a cross section of the cycling/ped community.

You can hear the audio of what Simon Hughes said here:
http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/5732

The London Assembly today called for the publication of the capital's most dangerous roads and junctions for cyclists and for a full review of design safety at each these junctions.
Expressing their deep regret for the deaths of cyclists on London's roads, Assembly Members pointed out their concern that some deaths could have been avoided if the roads were designed more safely.
In addition to a widespread review of dangerous junctions, the Assembly called on the Mayor and Transport for London to bring forward specific proposals to improve cycle safety at three junctions where cyclists have died recently.
Jenny Jones AM, who proposed the motion, said;
“There can be no higher political priority than saving lives. I am convinced that a thorough review of safety at junctions that listens and, more importantly, acts on the concerns of cyclists and pedestrians will result in fewer deaths and casualties on our roads.”
Val Shawcross AM, who seconded the motion, said:
“If we are to achieve a truly sustainable cycling revolution in London we must provide safe passage for cyclists across our city. Every extra person who decides to get on their bike adds more weight to the responsibility of London's politicians and transport bosses to make cycle safety an urgent priority.”
Caroline Pidgeon AM, who moved an amendment to the motion, said:
“Every death on our roads is a tragedy for the families concerned, but one which could be avoided by designing a better junction is a stain on our transport system. We owe it to all Londoners to ensure every sinew is strained to make cycling in London as safe and pleasant a way to travel as it can and should be.”
The full text of the motion agreed at today’s meeting reads as follows:

http://www.london.gov.uk/media/press_releases_london_assembly/publish-london%E2%80%99s-most-dangerous-roads-cyclists-assembly-urges-mayor

Echoing Dougal77, thank you all for coming on such a chilly night, fantastic work. Lets hope changes are made and implemented. Andy

can't be there tonight but will be thinking of you all and Ellie

That