Hair-raising moment cyclists are thrown off bikes in central London cycle-superhighway pile-up
Francesca Gillett Wednesday 12 October 2016
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Dramatic crash: The video shows a bike pile-up on a London cycle super-highway John Richardson
A hair-raising video shows the moment two cyclists are thrown off their bikes in a dangerous pile-up crash on a narrow London cycle-superhighway.
The dramatic clip posted online shows a daring cyclist trying to overtake another bike while on the cycling track near Blackfriars.
In the risky stunt, the cyclist accidentally veers into the bike on her left, throwing her into the path of another cyclist speeding towards her.
She loses control of her bike, which flips around as she tumbles to the floor.
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Dangerous: A cyclist coming the other way somersaulted along the track as he came off his bike. (John Richardson)
Other cyclists swerve to avoid the pile up, as the cyclist she hit is seen somersaulting along the concrete path and his bike is flung into the road.
He curls into a ball as other cyclists brake sharply.
The shocking footage was recorded by John Richardson, who cycles along the CS3 cycle superhighway – which runs from Tower Hill to Lancaster Gate – every day on his commute.
Insurance underwriter Mr Richardson, 56, said he was riding eastbound near Blackfriars when his bike-mounted camera caught the terrifying pile-up.
He said: “It just shows the cycle superhighways are a lot more popular than people envisaged and they are now at capacity in the rush hour, they have reached capacity.
“The problem is that there are some people, this lady in particular, who are not prepared to hold back and sort of just go with the flow. They still want to go in front.”
Mr Richardson, from Croydon, said he first started putting cameras on his bike and recording video after he was knocked down three times while riding his bike.
Ever since his accidents he has recorded his commute and has posted videos on his YouTube page, 4ChordsNoNet.
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Crash: The moment the cyclist collided with another coming the other way. (John Richardson)
Fortunately the female cyclist appears not to have been injured in the video and is shown picking herself off the ground. Mr Richardson said she reported a hurt shoulder and was grazed.
Mr Richardson said the cyclist coming in the opposite direction “did seem to be worse” but was walking away pushing his bike after being helped to get up.
He said: “He came off and hit the ground with some force”.
In the description for the video online, Mr Richardson warned other riders: "Please please slow down and don't overtake unless it is safe to do so."
The east to west Cycle Superhighway runs along the River Thames, through St James’s Park, Green Park and Hyde Park from Tower Hill to Lancaster Gate.
Riding so that one allows for others is important, as is making sure that there is enough room when overtaking! IMHO I think both here, are at fault for these reasons.
However although the overtaker is at fault for the collision initially, had the person that she overtook, had pulled in properly, then it would have enabled her to have enough room to safely overtake.
The consequences had car been coming, might have been far more sever. This shows how dangerous the cycle lane can be, and it's barrier!
It seems that there has been a massive assumption made that all cyclists will just follow each other ! If not then why wasn't it made one way or frankly not at all... so far I see little value to them whatsoever. Allowing lanes either side of the road is one thing, but the chances of oncoming cars to clash with riders is a potentially more dangerous mix.
A good reminder for drivers too to expect the unexpected at all times !
I wonder if all those cyclists took their names etc, to claim for any bicycle damage and I guess claims? It's going to happen as standard.
I used to have cycle insurance when I rode regularly.
I also wonder how many cyclists were asked prior to these superhighways ... if they are at capacity in rush hour now then what next ? Underground cycle routes?
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