Cyclist killed by Olympic bus

[Eric Mc]

bigbubba said:

Get off your high horse eric. You can't criticise people for making an arguably relevant post in 'your' science forum yet act like a child here. Of course it wasn't 'wiggo'.

One for the equestrian thread perhaps?

[bigbubba]

Eric Mc said:

One for the equestrian thread perhaps?

Grow Up

[Eric Mc]

bigbubba said:

Eric Mc said:

One for the equestrian thread perhaps?

Grow Up

Sadly, I've long since grown up.

[Digga]

eccles said:

TonyHetherington said:

Without more information it could be entirely the fault of the cyclist, or entirely the fault of the bus driver.

Or a mixture of the two.

Well I think that's all bases covered!

Not quite, there was a solitary magpie sighted nearby. Oh, and we've recently had a Labour government. I think that's nailled it.

[eccles]

Digga said:

eccles said:

TonyHetherington said:

Without more information it could be entirely the fault of the cyclist, or entirely the fault of the bus driver.

Or a mixture of the two.

Well I think that's all bases covered!

Not quite, there was a solitary magpie sighted nearby. Oh, and we've recently had a Labour government. I think that's nailled it.

It won't be long before one of the usual suspect links this to 'lefties' or Ken Livinstone.

[Blackpuddin]

zcacogp said:

The complaints system is completely ineffectual as well; I've complained about bus drivers on two occasions and on each occasion I'd swear that it was simply ignored.

I made a point of cycling straight to the manager at Fulwell and putting it in writing as well. The manager assured me that action would be taken, though the system is less than perfect in that you're not told what specific action is being taken. The good thing is that buses have videos that record the driver as well as all the loonies who get on.

[Eric Mc]

Back in the 70s and early 80s I did quite a bit of city centre cycling in Dublin - and that was scary enough. I would never in a million years attempt to cycle in London.

I've recently taken up cycling agin (bought a new bike in March) and I do feel that motorists do not give cyclists the room they need on the road.

[Jasandjules]

I guess until we know more it's hard to say anything of value but I will be interested to see if it was a cyclist cutting it fine or poor driving by the bus driver. If the latter, I would hope that they would be removed from duty.

[Man-At-Arms]

wl606 said:

"A man in his mid sixties has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving over a fatal crash involving an Olympic bus and a cyclist near the Olympic Park in Stratford, Scotland Yard said tonight. The man is in custody at an east London police station." ITV

do they have evidence, or is it just standard practice ?

[Digga]

Blackpuddin said:

zcacogp said:

The complaints system is completely ineffectual as well; I've complained about bus drivers on two occasions and on each occasion I'd swear that it was simply ignored.

I made a point of cycling straight to the manager at Fulwell and putting it in writing as well. The manager assured me that action would be taken, though the system is less than perfect in that you're not told what specific action is being taken. The good thing is that buses have videos that record the driver as well as all the loonies who get on.

A mate of mine who regularly cycle commutes used to his own ends - Go Pro's and other cameras being cheap, reliable and easy to use it's not a bad idea for any (law abiding) cyclist - and had a TNT driver sacked for driving at him on a canal bridge which nrrowed to a single lane, nearly pasting him and his bike to the parapet.

[Jinx]

Man-At-Arms said:

do they have evidence, or is it just standard practice ?

I believe it's standard practice if there's a fatality.

[italianjob1275]

Jinx said:

Man-At-Arms said:

do they have evidence, or is it just standard practice ?

I believe it's standard practice if there's a fatality.

Cautioned yes, arrested not unless the police have suspicions.

[Aids]

Something like 20 cyclists have been killed on London roads in the past year or so! Very sad

[Mr_B]

As someone who just started driving in London daily this year, I'm amazed more are not killed every single day. I cant believe the risks they take, people who just a couple of feet or room between to trucks, just riding right across red light junctions. Their ability to ride in to smallest cap is amazing, but often fatal.

[10 Pence Short]

It's a road death that happens to have happened in close proximity to the Olympics. Sad, and I'm sure it'll be investigated in the same way as any other similar event. Not special news, though.

[smegma]

The picture I saw appeared to show the bus half way round a left turn. It may be yet another naive cyclist attempting to undertake a large vehicle approaching a left turn. See it all the time on my commute.

[Smart Mart]

This was going round on Twitter this morning, posted on a cycling forum.

http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/xiud7/j...

[paulrockliffe]

smegma said:

The picture I saw appeared to show the bus half way round a left turn. It may be yet another naive cyclist attempting to undertake a large vehicle approaching a left turn. See it all the time on my commute.

There's an eye witness report on Reddit from the cyclist directly behind:

http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/xiud7/j...

Sounds absolutely horrific and your interpretation sounds correct.

All I would add is that it is likely that the cyclist assumed that the bus would go straight on because it wasn't indicating to turn left. It's not something I'd do, but it's an important point because the bus companies can insist that their drivers always indicate their intention regardless of whether they're stationary or not. Often the lights change, a bus starts rolling forward, then the indicator comes on; at that point the cyclist is already in the blind spot. In those circumstances I'm sure a lot of cyclists wouldn't undertake the bus if the indicator is already on.

I'm not making a judgement of blame, it's possible that the bus was indicating anyway, but in the absence of a means of stopping bikes undertaking buses, it's at least something that can be done to help.

[dandarez]

Aids said:

Something like 20 cyclists have been killed on London roads in the past year or so! Very sad

Not to mention the hundreds injured, some very badly.

Just read the horrendous eye-witness (well, bit more than eye-witness!) account of the cyclist who tried to help.

He (she?) should be given a medal (would be so appropriate).
Restored my faith in humanity.

[Aids]

dandarez said:

Not to mention the hundreds injured, some very badly.

Just read the horrendous eye-witness (well, bit more than eye-witness!) account of the cyclist who tried to help.

He (she?) should be given a medal (would be so appropriate).
Restored my faith in humanity.

Top post - well said!!