Head on cycling collision... keep left?

[irishdave]

I'm new to this forum but I wanted to find a place to discuss a crash I had on my way home tonight.

This is the location for my crash http://goo.gl/maps/AycXB
Here is a photo of the exact corner http://goo.gl/maps/JmGAO

For those of you unfamiliar with this stretch of road, it is a very dangerous roundabout at Hyde Park Corner in London; so I always cross the cycle/pedestrian path which cuts through the centre (under and around the arch). I came from the Hyde Park direction heading towards Constitution Hill. I took off from the green lights and positioned myself on the left hand side of the path approaching the left hand turn heading towards the arch. I was not cycling very fast as I know the light sequence gives me a red at the far side. As I rounded the left hand turn another cyclist was approaching directly in my path. I slammed on my brakes but due to the wet conditions it was impossible to avoid a direct head on collision. To clarify, the total path with is easily 15 to 20 meters. I was 2 meters maximum from the curb on the left hand side. The collision left me hurt, and furiously angry (manifest in lots of cursing). My front forks were bent back, I have a loose brake and my wheels need to be re-trued. It appeared the other cyclist was worse off for our collision, shaken up but unapologetic leading me to have a distinct lack of sympathy for him. His claim was that it was a 50/50. I believe he was way over on the wrong side of the path, overtaking other cyclists and trying to cut the corner or hit the apex of the corner... saving vital milliseconds from his commute.

I only feel guilty about my cursing after the accident but I felt totally frustrated and annoyed at this idiot's reckless cycling.

Is keep left one of the rules of the road? What do you think?

Aside: After being doored and breaking my face a few months back I have become very wary as a cyclist, slowing down, not undertaking unless I feel it is truly safe, and never running reds. I wear high vis and a helmet and use my lights and bell to alert people to my presence. I feel that cyclists want respect from road users so we need to show respect for the rules of the road. Also I cycle 18 miles a day and consider myself very accomplished at commuting the London roads safely.

 

[campbellab]

unfortunatly cycle path isnt the road. keep left would be common sense but then theres the elevators in the tube...

 

[irishdave]

unfortunatly cycle path isnt the road. keep left would be common sense but then theres the elevators in the tube...

hmm i get what you're saying but the elevators are stand right and travel left. also there tube has lots of 'keep left' signs on stairs and walkways

 

[wanda2010]

First of all welcome to the forum. Others will be along shortly to do the same.

I have to say the only time I've used that crossing is for a FNRttC, as I tend to go round the roundabout, saying lots of prayers and doing mucho shoulder checks left and right til I've reached whatever exit I need.

You were very unfortunate to have come across a knob. The fact that he was unapologetic leads me to think he knew he was at fault but was taking the 'wrong and strong' line. Hopefully his repair bill will be much higher than yours and he may, possibly, think twice about such a manoeuvre in the future.

Unfortunately it's not always possible to do the right thing and remain unscathed.

 

[summerdays]

I would normally say keep to the left, but be prepared for others to not follow the rule - that means going a speed to be able to stop in time. I cycle along a much narrower path which is marked with a line down the middle for the pedestrian and cyclists sides. Sometimes I meet people cycling towards me who aren't prepared to move over onto the pedestrian side (normally completely empty on that path) to enable us to pass with more space. Hopefully you won't meet him very often and you will give him a wide berth in future!

 

[BentMikey]

He is a nobber, and the best way is on the road around HPC. He is in the wrong for not keeping to his left, it doesn't matter that it's a cycle path.

 

[campbellab]

hmm i get what you're saying but the elevators are stand right and travel left. also there tube has lots of 'keep left' signs on stairs and walkways

Thats just undertaking!
Sounds like you found someone going too fast and sticking right on a right hand bend (his pov) is daft as reduces visibility of corner.

if anything expect you to be out to the right to gain visbility of the corner...

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I put you right by common practice but not right by law. The other cyclist's 50/50 claim is no more than self-justification, and part and parcel of the ''never accept responsibility'' culture.

 

[idlecyclist]

I cyclea round the same roundabout twice a day, from Hyde Park to Constitution Hill going to work and the other way round coming home. I've stoped using the cycle path that goes through the middle, and instead stick to the road for two reasons.

1) Two many cyclists use it, and are either going to fast (to beat the lights) or are ambeling along, with the result that everyone gets in everone elses way, with colisions inevitable.
2) Going along the road is actually quicker as you dont get stoped at the lights at either junction.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I have 2 questions, being an Aussie . (1) do your road laws cover bike/shared paths? In Australia, cyclists are required by law to keep left on bike/shared paths. (2) why is it convention to travel left and stand right while on escalators? I mean, that seems to be the converse of your road behaviour.

Regards,

--- Victor (your friendly, if at the moment slightly puzzled colonial).

 

[al78]

I have 2 questions, being an Aussie . (1) do your road laws cover bike/shared paths? In Australia, cyclists are required by law to keep left on bike/shared paths. (2) why is it convention to travel left and stand right while on escalators? I mean, that seems to be the converse of your road behaviour.

Regards,

--- Victor (your friendly, if at the moment slightly puzzled colonial).

1) Not sure, but I'm not sure it is relevant in this case. Just because something is not explicitly illegal doesn't mean it is right (in rare cases the converse can hold as well).

2) The "travel on the left" guideline is consistent with the roads but I have a feeling that the convention of standing on the right is because most people are right handed and thus it comes more naturally to stand on that side BICBW.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Yes I agree with you - I didn't mean to imply that there is no valid reason to keep left. It's just commonsense to keep left, because it makes everyone predictable. I see cyclists over here who aren't very good at keeping left on the shared paths, and it tends to cause problems. Thanks for the info .

 

[CopperCyclist]

Theres no 'rule' to stay left on cycle paths, and while it may well be common sense, as you've discovered some people don't have it and they are the ones you will crash into.

I'd suggest breaking the non existent rules. Get out wide to the right for left hand bends, and vice versa. This will massively increase both your view around the corner, and the chance for anyone else to view you. Combine this with slowing for the corner enough to be able to stop if needed and it should avoid any more collisions.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Theres no 'rule' to stay left on cycle paths, and while it may well be common sense, as you've discovered some people don't have it and they are the ones you will crash into.

I'd suggest breaking the non existent rules. Get out wide to the right for left hand bends, and vice versa. This will massively increase both your view around the corner, and the chance for anyone else to view you. Combine this with slowing for the corner enough to be able to stop if needed and it should avoid any more collisions.

Just to clarify my previous posts: I wasn't asking for advice on how to stay safe on cycle paths, simply asking for clarification on British laws and customs regarding these. I'm not sure if your reply above was to me or to the OP, so I thought I'd better clarify my own position, so no offence intended . I'm an experienced cyclist with no problems making my way on cycle paths or roads.

Regards,

--- Victor.

 

[Crankarm]

Did you exchange details with the other party?

Have you got his name and address and does it check out ie not fake? If not you are just pi55ing in the wind. Then you'll have the problem of getting money out of him for repairs. And witnesses were there any? CCTV? All these things to consider if you want to successfully get money out of him for damage/injury that you believe he caused you. If you don't have any of this then forget it, put it down to experience and move on. Repair your bike or get another one pay for it yourself. Bent forks are rather terminal. Is the head set tube or frame bent as well? It maybe worth getting your bike checked out properly.

For the future by an Airzound. Bells are useless in these modern times, as people who want to get in your way won't move. An Airzound will make them jump, literally, so collision averted. Also a helmet cam might be of help.