Forum Topic

Richmond Park

Saw on Richmond Park News, a car stopped to let some geese cross the road and a cyclist went right into the back of the car and smashed the back glass window.

Barbara Stevens ● 1486d36 Comments

I haven't missed any point, go back to Chiswick, Ealing, Acton, your on so many site's you don't know who to argue with next.

Barbara Stevens ● 1483d

Barbara  You have completely missed the point.  I'd already seen that there had been such an accident long before you posted about it but I hadn't paid attention to whether it was a male or female cyclist because I don't think it matters.  All it matters is that they are OK.

Philippa Bond ● 1483d

Well Philippa, don't pick an F--ing argument if your too lazy to look at what Michael put on there. I'd already seen it on the Richmond Park site.

Barbara Stevens ● 1483d

My complaint was I fell into the lateral puzzle trap - something we've spent years trying to overcome.  Thanks, no way I was going to trawl the thread.

Philippa Bond ● 1484d

In the BBC article I posted it refers to "his injuries" in relation to the cyclist and "her vehicle" with regard to the driver".

Michael Ixer ● 1484d

I think you will find there are fewer women cyclists than men.  Just as there are probably still fewer female surgeons than male.  My comment was because I had fallen into the trap of presuming male.

Philippa Bond ● 1484d

"does it really matter whether or not the cyclist was male or female?"It would only matter to the cyclist, I should imagine.

David Ainsworth ● 1484d

A lot of cycling organisations seem to recommend getting insurance if you commute or cycle regularly. Some include it in their membership.They may have had insurance for all we know.Rear windows can be easily replaced let's hope they were not seriously injured. There is a big gap between life changing /life threatening and a few scratches.There was another accident recently where a cyclist came off due to ice. Some people were blaming cars for washing away the salt others stated speed made no difference if you hit ice. Of course you can come off at any speed on an icy surface however the likelihood of serious injuries increase with speed.With regard to the highway code, there are some very good changes. My preference would be to adopt best practice from other countries.

Ed Robinson ● 1484d

I have lost track on what is and isnt PC, are we allowed to say male or female these days?

Adam Tripp ● 1484d

does it really matter whether or not the cyclist was male or female?

Carole Tanner ● 1484d

SO IT WASN'T A WOMAN, A SHE, A FEMALE CYCLIST?Woman can cycle you know but they can't be MAMILS!

Philippa Bond ● 1484d

IT WAS A HE. A MALE, A BLOKE.A CYCLIST.

Barbara Stevens ● 1484d

And I made a classic mistake.  Do we know that it was a male cyclist?!

Philippa Bond ● 1484d

"Interesting point, if the cyclist was at fault I suppose they'd be responsible for the cost of the repairs to the car?"My most recent one - that is what I did. (Blooming brake cable snapped - my fault that it was a very old cable).

David Ainsworth ● 1485d

When my lad had an accident on his bike (some years back and his fault) we settled the drivers claim through our house contents third party insurance.Was gonna sort in cash but the guy was taking the p...

Andy Pike ● 1485d

That is why cyclists should have Insurance in case of an accident. Who pays if a cyclist seriously injures somebody. They get taken to court for injuring an animal in the park.

Barbara Stevens ● 1485d

If you look at the article I posted it says the Royal Parks Police are investigating the incident. Doubt anyone will be prosecuted so you're probably correct, Ed. Interesting point, if the cyclist was at fault I suppose they'd be responsible for the cost of the repairs to the car?

Michael Ixer ● 1485d

Will we ever know what happened?To my knowledge no one was charged and there is no requirement for the parties to inform the public to satisfy our speculation and curiosity.

Ed Robinson ● 1485d

Too many people ready to judge a situation when we know nothing about the real circumstances. So rather than point the finger now, wouldn't you think it better to wait until we actually know what happened?

Richard Carter ● 1485d

Just pointing out that the new Highway Code has information for everyone.  We weren't there. I hope he had a hat.

Philippa Bond ● 1485d

Yes Philippa, in this case, the cyclist is the most vulnerable as there were no pedestrians involved.It is the cyclist's responsibility (not just a car driver), and perhaps his/her instinct of survival (?), to bear that in mind.The cyclist run into the back of a stationary car...I am afraid that blaming the car only in this instance is beyond ridiculous.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1486d

Yes, The Highway Code, is going to wrap his head in vinegar and brown paper.

Barbara Stevens ● 1486d

It must have been both a shock and hassle for both of them.  The cyclist is of course the most vulnerable.  Have you read the new Highway Code?

Philippa Bond ● 1486d

Agreed. I did say it was a "guess", because, as you quite rightly say, neither of us was there!

Michael Ixer ● 1486d

Could have been an example of this style of riding https://youtu.be/9OrKLGEOVRA

Freddie Francis ● 1486d

"It's just traditionally they never went that fast."Personally I would stop them. Certainly around unarmoured humans and other creatures. I am a killjoy (for some sorts of "joys").

David Ainsworth ● 1486d

It is a park that has a 20mph speed limit. All vehicles including bicycles should anticipate having to stop for widelife etc.Sadly as Matt says some vehicles including bicycles go too fast and even tailgate - which reduces visibility ahead and the distance they have to stop.Technology is ahead of the law at the moment. There is no cost or technology excuse for bicycles, including e-bikes for not having a speedometer. It's just traditionally they never went that fast.

Ed Robinson ● 1486d

As someone who has thrice (minimum) clanged into the back of a car, I might suggest that possibly both car and bicycle were going fast, as, if the cyclist were going much faster than the car, then it would not have been behind it for very long. My guess would be that the car stopped suddenly (having very efficient brakes and vision) when it saw the geese, but the cyclist, his forward view of geese masked by the car, (and having rather less efficient brakes), did not/could not stop quite as suddenly. I do not know what the road surface will have been like, but today seems rather a wet day. Been there, done similar. Still learning. "Try again. Fail again", as Beckett might say.

David Ainsworth ● 1486d

Agree

Fross Walters ● 1486d

Shall we just agree with 'some' cars and 'some' cyclists go too fast?

Matt Palmer ● 1486d

Fross, I think you will find it's the cyclists that go to fast, they think they won't be pulled up. The Police have been catching them.

Barbara Stevens ● 1486d

I were not there as you were not there, so it'a a matter of opinion, my opinion is that cars go to fast in RP and that is a fact.

Fross Walters ● 1486d

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-59795558

Michael Ixer ● 1486d

If the car came to a stop I'm not sure it's original speed would be relevant to the force that the cycle hit it? Vehicles following another one are supposed to leave sufficient distance to stop in an emergency. That includes cyclists. I guess the cyclist was following to close and didn't anticipate the car would stop?

Michael Ixer ● 1486d

Or the car pulled up very fast as it was speeding!

Fross Walters ● 1486d

Good grief he must have been cycling very fast for that to happen!

Sue Hammond ● 1486d