RIP Lewis Balyckyi

[ohnovino]

A teenage cycling star tipped to ride in the Olympics has been killed in a bike crash whilst out training only five miles from home. Lewis Balyckyi, 18 - described by his family as 'inspirational' and 'every parent's dream' - was cycling in preparation for a forthcoming event in France when he was in collision with a Ford Transit van.

Full story here

British Cycling's tribute

What a truly awful start to 2011.

 

[Paulus]

Yet another tragedy. It's hard to know what to say. This is a truly horrible start to the year.

 

[Arch]

"Local councillor Simon Moulton said: 'The road is long and straight with lots of little bends and there have been accidents there in the past. "
So is it long and straight, or does it have lots of bends in it?

Is it just me, or does that phrase sound like an excuse for whatever sort of driving (or, to be fair since we don't know the circs, riding) led to the crash?

I suspect, actually, it's just someone pressed for a comment and not thinking enough, but it's a daft sentence.

Condolences to the lad's family.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Aw Groan

 

[HLaB]

R.I.P

Not quite but that almost one cyclist been needlessly killed everyday so far this year

 

[vernon]

R.I.P

Not quite but that almost one cyclist been needlessly killed everyday so far this year

There will certainly be more than one cyclist per day killed. No-one's reporting the deaths in places like India.

It is sad at an individual level for every victim but a sense of proportion needs to be maintained. The death of a cyclist by family and friends is as keenly felt as the deaths of other road users.

I find the logging of cycling deaths on cycling forums to be a misdirected bit of shroud waving. It also does little to encourage the reluctant cyclist to take to the roads instead of the pavements.

Would it not be better to have a dedicated site to gather the collective grief of the various cycling communities?

 

[ComedyPilot]

This is becoming a bit of a piss-take................Just what the hell has to be done to make people take a little more time and care out there?

RIP

 

[downfader]

There will certainly be more than one cyclist per day killed. No-one's reporting the deaths in places like India.

It is sad at an individual level for every victim but a sense of proportion needs to be maintained. The death of a cyclist by family and friends is as keenly felt as the deaths of other road users.

I find the logging of cycling deaths on cycling forums to be a misdirected bit of shroud waving. It also does little to encourage the reluctant cyclist to take to the roads instead of the pavements.

Would it not be better to have a dedicated site to gather the collective grief of the various cycling communities?

People have to know the truth. They have to know that a) statistically its quite unlikely to happen and b) that when it does something often goes dreadfully wrong from a justice perspective. We need more voices raised, with more new cyclists this becomes increasingly easier.

RIP to the lad. I'm gutted to read it, he held such promise. His family must be absolutely mortified.

 

[krushavik]

R.I.P. Lewis.

What a bloody start to the new year I've never known one like it. When is it going to end.

 

[fossyant]

Thoughts with the family.

 

[crisscross]

I had the pleasure of meeting Lewis on a couple of occasions.

He was a credit to cycling, kind and considerate with younger cyclists and so enthusiastic for the sport.

RIP Lewis.

 

[postman]

Well i have just seen some awful driving .On my way back from Mums and Toddlers .A young lady riding down Stonegate Road at the pinch point (traffic island) a young gentleman driver overtakes her at the narrowest point .He crawled past her .But he was not going to give her chance to get past the island .Diabolical .

 

[downfader]

I have just sent an email to the BBC over this story and asked them to please relook at how cyclists are treated on the roads, and the failures of justice there after. I have also asked that they avoid the motorist-mouth peice nonsense and just make a film. Just a simple little film where they inteview leading campaigners, talk to victims and the families left to pick up the peices, and REALLY emphasise how these cyclists involved were not lawbreaking transgressors as some have pictured them.

Show the human aspect.

I would very much appreciate if others could email the media over this. We have to keep banging on until the nail is well and truly hammered home. The first place to start would be BBC Breakfast: bbcbreakfast@bbc.co.uk I think there has been an element of lazy journalism of late, and we need to press certain points to get a different mindset to come through and benefit us.

 

[ComedyPilot]

I have just sent an email to the BBC over this story and asked them to please relook at how cyclists are treated on the roads, and the failures of justice there after. I have also asked that they avoid the motorist-mouth peice nonsense and just make a film. Just a simple little film where they inteview leading campaigners, talk to victims and the families left to pick up the peices, and REALLY emphasise how these cyclists involved were not lawbreaking transgressors as some have pictured them.

Show the human aspect.

I would very much appreciate if others could email the media over this. We have to keep banging on until the nail is well and truly hammered home. The first place to start would be BBC Breakfast: bbcbreakfast@bbc.co.uk I think there has been an element of lazy journalism of late, and we need to press certain points to get a different mindset to come through and benefit us.

Email sent

 

[downfader]

Email sent

Thanks matey! I will try and send similar emails to ITN and co tomorrow.