Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
cyclist hit tonight?
Cyclist hit by a car tonight; I'd guess at about 6pm tonight. Near the pelican crossing where New River crosses Green Lanes, Northbound direction.
The traffic was delayed, police & ambulance attending, it did not look nice!
I cycle down that hill at least 3 times a week, there are 1 or 2 nasty potholes by that crossing. Of course this is my speculation but maybe the cyclist hit a pothole & then collided with a passing car.
I hope the rider is OK, if anyone has more info please post here.
If I'm right (above) then the council is at fault for the pothole (plus the street lighting is poor) &, if the car was overtaking the cyclist, the motorist would be at fault for passing too closely.
Furthermore: there was another ambulance positioned further North; under the railway bridge. (I did see a bicycle leaning against the wall but no-one lying on the road).
Motorists: please don't overtake cyclists when it is not safe (they may suddenly wobble if there is a pothole).
Cyclists: please overtake motorists on the right, it's safer than passing down the left by the curb. AND, move out into the centre of the lane to prevent motorists from overtaking you if it is not safe for them to do so (use your position to control the traffic behind you, the gutter is the most dangerous place to ride).
Tags for Forum Posts: cyclist
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gerry Platt on
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Whilst the Southbound cycle lane is not wide enough I think it's helpful in as much as it keeps motor-vehicles further towards the centre line. The lane is more necessary going up the hill as cyclists speed is reduced.
The worst hazard is at the top of the hill, the road is narrowed by a traffic island. It is not wide enough for a car to safely overtake a cyclist yet daily I see cyclists hugging the curb & vehicles passing them. My strategy: as I approach this 'pinch-point' I indicate right & move out when safe. By passing the traffic island in the centre of the lane I prevent anyone from overtaking me.
Northbound there are 2 lanes of traffic, I usually hold the centre of the inside lane, 20mph is easy downhill so I get no hassle, motorists can overtake using the outside lane. If the traffic is slow I tend to pass it in the centre of the road, giving way to oncoming traffic. At the Arena junction I always take the centre of the inside lane.
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Permalink Reply by Ruth on
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You cyclists have my respect- you have to take into account so many things and that's just going up and down this stretch of road! I just don't know how you do it. It's clearly not a method of transport for the feint hearted. I wish you all well and hope your journeys are all safe. Clearly there is a lot that could be done to improve cycling at many levels.
I'll stick to walking…
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Permalink Reply by Justin Guest on
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Gerry. Am I the only one to notice the impact of (I think) Thames Water a few years back on the southbound lane up to Manor House? They dug up about half the cycle lane to do what they needed, and reinstated it pretty well, only they used a very rough grade of surface, so that on the LHS you have a rough surface, and the RHS is smoother, more akin to the rest of the road to the right as originally implemented.
The impact, for me anyway, is that you choose either to hug the curb and work harder on the rougher new surface (as there is more drag on the tyres and hence it is harder work) or push out further to the right, on the smoother, easier surface, but further into the carriageway where you are more vulnerable?
At the time I had no idea what (if anything) could be done about it, and what actually are the responsibilities on making good by the road repairer.
To their credit, at least it has not turned into a rutted trench, which I usually what happens when roads get dug up and hastily reinstated.
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I've noticed it Justin.
I ride out from the curb on the smoother surface (not more vulnerable really as it gives me escape space to the left if a motorist does pass me dangerously). As I'm not the fastest rider going up that hill; I make myself aware of any cyclists approaching from behind & move to the left to let them pass.
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Permalink Reply by Harringay Birder on
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Hi Gerry
Just thought I'd say that I disagree whole-heartedly (no pun intended) with your instructions to cyclists (and also motorists). I would tell anyone asking for advice NOT to "overtake on the right" as you suggest which I would say is one of the most dangerous things you can do.
If you are coming down Green Lanes from Manor House in slow traffic and you move to the right of the traffic to overtake you are now in the middle of two lines of traffic on a two-lane road and risk being struck either by oncoming traffic keeping to the offside of the lane, or by oncoming motorcyclists overtaking slower northbound vehicles, or by traffic also going downhill and pulling out into the road to eg overtake cyclists, avoid potholes etc. I really don't think it's helpful when people (albeit with the best of intentions) put out advice that other experienced cyclists can say (from experience) will expose them to danger; and ignores the experience of those road users that sticking to the left is in fact the safest thing to do - at least on this stretch of road. Then again - that may be just my experience! And I do sometimes move to the right to overtake. But I've never found coming down that hill a problem as far as I can remember, in eight years.
The state of the road on the northbound carriageway before the bridge - now that really IS a disgrace.
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I've just looked this up in Cyclecraft (the reference book for Bikeability). I want to make sure I'm not giving device which is contradictory to the recognised training:
"If your side of the road is completely blocked, it will be necessary to cross the centre line in order to overtake ..."
and
"Never overtake a moving vehicle on the left side within the same traffic lane".
both quotes on P97
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"If your side of the road is completely blocked, it will be necessary to cross the centre line in order to overtake ..."
Having read that I'm not sure I would want to read any more of "Cyclecraft"!
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When cycling; my purpose is to keep to the letter of the book, I get very little hassle from motorists. Also see "How to be a Better Cyclist" by the same author, John Franklin (published by the Institute of Advanced Motorists).
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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Tris, I've just got home, seen your post and emailed a councillor in Hackney who may be able to help.
If I can't make urgent contact with them I will follow-up tomorrow morning.
(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)
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Permalink Reply by linka on
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There is a big pothole there which can take you out if you hit it at even a braked speed. Those who don't know the street in the dark from frequent commuting are all at risk.
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Permalink Reply by Adam on
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I narrowly avoided this pothole tonight. The lighting at the crossing is woeful, and the road surface is generally in a very bad way. Something must be done to tackle both of these issues ASAP
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I've just phoned the Hackney out of hours emergency line 020 8356 2300, as this is extremely worrying.
A very helpful person answered who said he knew this road. He's going to see if they can get someone out this evening to take a look.
Adam - or anyone else - can you please give some more specific information on the location of the pothole in case Hackney phones me back. Thanks
(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)
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