Tavistock Place cycle lane claims another victim

MattFT
MattFT Posts: 178
edited June 2009 in Commuting chat
A green BMW coming from Gordon St. didn't see the two way cycle lane and pulled straight up to the road. Que my superman impression over his bonnet. :(

Bike seems ok, wheel off true, but a little worried about the invisible damage to the carbon folk. Both driver and two witnesses very nice, thank you if it was you!

Question for you all - how do you report something like this to the police? Just phone up the local station or fill in a form?

I'm also going to contact LCC. It's simply not a safe cycle lane.
FCN: 4

My Condor R.I.P.

Enigma Echo - everything outside the city
Genesis Day One Disc - commuter

Comments

  • CiB
    CiB Posts: 6,098
    Usual advice; get yourself thoroughly checked by a doc in case of hidden probs that might show up after the event, same for the bike - have it looked by your LBS or similar to check. Esp true for carbon components that have suffered impact.

    To report it you just need to phone or present yourself at a convenient police station and report it as an RTA. You should get a crime ref no which will be needed in the event of an insurance claim or if further proceedings are required.

    Glad you're ok.
  • Soul Boy
    Soul Boy Posts: 359
    Got to be one of the worse planned cycle lanes, never liked it, people just don't look both ways, or inded notice it in the first place. Do people that plan them actually ever go to the location?

    And as Chris says, get yourself and the bike checked by someone in the know..

    Of course, hoping that both are fine.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Yikes! Glad it's not as bad as it could've been. Get yourself to a hospital for a check up too.

    Call your LBS or, if closer, Condor on Holborn to see if they can look at your forks.

    Take photos of any injuries/bruising you've sustained or which comes up today.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • MattFT
    MattFT Posts: 178
    thanks guys. Ice added, I can feel a nice deep bruise in the quad. And I'm meant to be going to Alp d'Huez on Wednesday :(
    FCN: 4

    My Condor R.I.P.

    Enigma Echo - everything outside the city
    Genesis Day One Disc - commuter
  • MattFT
    MattFT Posts: 178
    p.s., yes, it's a nuts cycle lane. And if you cycle with the cars, you get abuse for not being in the cycle lane. I've mailed Camden LCC as well to see if they've got any plans to campaign on it.
    FCN: 4

    My Condor R.I.P.

    Enigma Echo - everything outside the city
    Genesis Day One Disc - commuter
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    MattFT wrote:
    thanks guys. Ice added, I can feel a nice deep bruise in the quad. And I'm meant to be going to Alp d'Huez on Wednesday :(

    Ah, heck. That's a b*ugger. :(

    You'll want to dig out the invoices in relation to any money you've paid out for the trip.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • MattFT
    MattFT Posts: 178
    hoping I can recover enough in time to make the trip possible :cry:
    FCN: 4

    My Condor R.I.P.

    Enigma Echo - everything outside the city
    Genesis Day One Disc - commuter
  • londonbairn
    londonbairn Posts: 316
    Glad you are ok chap.

    Make sure you fill in an road accident report form, it's not necessary an intention to prosecute but more covering your back.

    I done it when a stupid ped jumped a red man and jumped in front of me in case she decided to do something silly.
  • MattFT
    MattFT Posts: 178
    form filled in and in the post. thanks for the advice guys.
    FCN: 4

    My Condor R.I.P.

    Enigma Echo - everything outside the city
    Genesis Day One Disc - commuter
  • dondare
    dondare Posts: 2,113
    The fault is with the cycle lane, which is as badly conceived as a cycle lane can be. Both you and the driver ought to be suing the council.
    This post contains traces of nuts.
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    dondare wrote:
    The fault is with the cycle lane, which is as badly conceived as a cycle lane can be. Both you and the driver ought to be suing the council.

    Not sure if thats strictly true.. I think the cyclist has to claim off the driver insurer, then the driver has to go through his insurer and say it was the lane planners fault.. dont they?

    The lane has to be the same colour as the road, improperly marked (eg no cycles painted on the deck).

    They do it all the time here in southampton on the roundabout after the Itchen Bridge and thats both fully marked, green paint on the deck and a warning light before the junction that lights up as cyclists approach.

    EDIT, forgot to say heal up soon! If you're a member of that local cycle scheme see if they have legal/insurance cover for any claims of repairs, injury etc. The CTC and British Cycling cover will also help you if you need it.
  • Mr_Cellophane
    Mr_Cellophane Posts: 690
    This bit http://tinyurl.com/r7rxr4 ?

    I don't think I have been round there since that was put in. How long has it been like that ? Didn't the cycle lane used to be one on each side of the road ?

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