Commuter killed this morning, Victoria Street, London (8th April) - RIP

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400bhp

Guru
Whoaa-close. Absolutely feck all you can do about that:cursing: really crap driving.
 

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
OMG. Gruesome. RIP the dead woman.

Some one's daughter, mum, sister, wife, girl friend, best friend.

Approx another 7 people will have been killed on the UK's roads today and countless others seriously injured.

The cops can still arrest the driver. They will hopefully still be collecting witness statements checking CCTV in the area, checking the vehicle and the driver.
 

deptfordmarmoset

Full time tea drinker
Location
Armonmy Way
Those LCC figures of:

5% of vehicles (HGV) involved in 50% of cyclist fatalities.
and 75% of those fatalities involved construction lorries.

I don't know what proportion of London HGVs are construction trade, certainly not 75%, but it does show where the problem lies. Sure, cyclists should do everything in their power to treat HGVs of all types with extreme care whenever they can but I wonder whether new cyclists can ever fully comprehend just how dangerous a vehicle can be but still be licensed to drive on roads for which they were definitely not designed and on which they kill disproportionately and with sickening regularity.
 
OP
OP
Buddfox

Buddfox

Veteran
Location
London
Not sure a picture of the women's bike in the newspaper is appropriate:sad:

On the one hand I found it effective as a reminder that being in an accident rarely has the cyclist coming off best and to always be careful. On the other hand I was sad to thing of all those people who were considering starting to commute this year now the weather was improving who may now not - when fundamentally cycling is a safe mode of transport, by and large.
 
U

User6179

Guest
Those LCC figures of:

5% of vehicles (HGV) involved in 50% of cyclist fatalities.
and 75% of those fatalities involved construction lorries.

I don't know what proportion of London HGVs are construction trade, certainly not 75%, but it does show where the problem lies. Sure, cyclists should do everything in their power to treat HGVs of all types with extreme care whenever they can but I wonder whether new cyclists can ever fully comprehend just how dangerous a vehicle can be but still be licensed to drive on roads for which they were definitely not designed and on which they kill disproportionately and with sickening regularity.


I would be interested to know what percentage of theses hgv drivers are being paid by the mile rather than by the hour?

Always thought it was absolutely mental to pay hgv drivers by the load/mile !!

May be a coincidence that construction lorries are responsible for 75% of fatalities as they are more likely to be on price work but I doubt it!
 

400bhp

Guru
Why not? Pictures of smashed cars damaged in collisions are commonplace. Why should the true effect of a lorry on a bicycle be hushed up?

I was thinking of it from her family's perspective, although I see your point.
 

Andrew_P

In between here and there
I would be interested to know what percentage of theses hgv drivers are being paid by the mile rather than by the hour?

Always thought it was absolutely mental to pay hgv drivers by the load/mile !!

May be a coincidence that construction lorries are responsible for 75% of fatalities as they are more likely to be on price work but I doubt it!
Tippers and Skip drivers are by far the worst of the close passes I have had. 40ft HGV's next then MPV on the school run. The latter are mostly left hooks rather than close passes. 4th is the punishment pass for holding them up.

The program Gaz took part in, when the tipper lorry company made an effort they reduced thier Cycle accident rate by quite a high margin, by fitting safety gear and training drivers. Why this not not compulsory is beyond belief. There has to be a way of making Lorries numpty proof.
 

PJ79LIZARD

Über Member
Location
WEST MIDLANDS
Witnessed a lorry vs cyclist today, in that instance the cyclist was at fault and had a lucky escape only due to the fact the lorry driver had good awareness. There are too many of these accidents occurring, there are bad cyclists and bad drivers. We shouldn't be quick to reprimand either party when we don't know the full facts. Very sad news RIP.
 

gaz

Cycle Camera TV
Location
South Croydon
the tipper lorry company made an effort they reduced thier Cycle accident rate by quite a high margin, by fitting safety gear and training drivers. Why this not not compulsory is beyond belief. There has to be a way of making Lorries numpty proof.
It's compulsory on new vehicles but not on old ones.
 

Slaav

Guru
Witnessed a lorry vs cyclist today, in that instance the cyclist was at fault and had a lucky escape only due to the fact the lorry driver had good awareness. There are too many of these accidents occurring, there are bad cyclists and bad drivers. We shouldn't be quick to reprimand either party when we don't know the full facts. Very sad news RIP.

This post sums up my 'normal' reaction to stuff like a picture of a 'commuter bike' on the deck. Be it a Raodie or worse, a 'shopper'.

Now, whilst I know nothing of the facts in this incident, one of my bug bears is TRAINING - on both sides.

I have stated on many threads that riding my motorbike - and the training I got by joining this twisted club late - gave me one hell of a training regime and instilled some brilliant habits.

EVERY 'proper' motorcyclist knows what a 'Life Saver' is - not rocket science.

How many cyclists know what it is instinctively? - It was driven in to me in road craft. I still use this stuff driving my car - let alone my bike.

Let's not pick on drivers alone here - although I appreciate that the facts in this terrible circumstance may be complete apposite to this post.

It will always be tragic and awful - regardless of blame etc.
 
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