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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Story of a local bike crash!

This is rather a long story but I think it will be of interest to fellow cyclists and pedestrians too.

 

Story of a local bike crash:

 

  1. I was happily cycling home late on a sunny afternoon on Friday 19 April using a route that will probably be familiar to local cyclists. That is - north from Highbury/ Clissold Park, Riversdale Road and along quiet Finsbury Park Road to cross Seven Sisters Road into Finsbury Park.
  2. I crossed Seven Sisters Road as the cycle crossing lights switched to green and I had almost reached the other (northern) side of Seven Sisters Road when I was hit hard on my left. I was knocked off my bike, landed hard on my bottom and ended up on my back in the kerb with my head on the footway just outside of the Finsbury Park gates.
  3. I lay inert in pain and shock while helpful passers-by and witnesses stopped to help. A first-aider by the name of Saba (thank you Saba) insisted that I should not be moved and called an ambulance. Two community support policemen (CSOs) were quickly on the scene and talked with witnesses and bystanders.
  4. Surprise, surprise - it was clear that I had been hit by another cyclist riding east along Seven Sisters Road, riding hard out from a gap between stationary traffic and jumping the red light. It was his head that had hit me hard on my shoulder knocking me clear of my bike. I think he was in the air clear of his own bike at the instant of impact. He said he was sorry, admitted fault and I told him he was a bloody fool. His bike was leaning against the post by my head – I observed that it was a courier-type minimal bike.
  5. People stayed around to help and one locked-up my bike (thank you Grigor) to be retrieved later while I lay immobile for about 40 minutes for an ambulance. By this time a ‘proper’ police officer was on the scene, talking to the CSOs and the other cyclist.
  6. I was taken to the Whittington A&E where it was first thought that the only thing wrong might have been shock and a dislocated shoulder, and attempts were made to re-locate it. Then an x-ray showed a smashed collar bone and severed ligaments that required surgery,
  7. Two days later I went in for surgery and a 10 cm titanium plate with seven screws, two titanium buttons and plastic tie–lines were fitted in my shoulder – to be there for ever.
  8. Out of hospital and ten days later I contacted the police to find out more about the crash, fully expecting that there would be details of witnesses and an intention to prosecute the red-light-jumper.
  9. To my dismay, nothing! There was a report than an incident had occurred but they were waiting on the PC involved to make his report. It turned out that he was not a local bobby but part of a central London safer transport team.
  10. Over the next two weeks the gaps in the story became clear. The police had taken no record of any witnesses and could not trace the shoulder tag numbers of the CSOs who could and should have taken details of witnesses.  No evidence had been sought from the third-party who had caused the accident and the police had closed the file. At no time was I asked to give my account of the incident.
  11. I spent ages on the phone and tramping the streets of Finsbury Park trying to find out who the CSOs were in the hope they had recorded witness statements – all in vain. I had hoped that the other cyclist might have insurance and I might be able to claim damages. Eventually, the police gave me the name (and incomplete address!) of the other cyclist – I wont give his real name, let me just call him Vlad the Impaler! (Contact me if you want to know more about Vlad.)
  12. I had Vlad looked up on Facebook and there he was – enthusiastic rider of a newly acquired fixed-wheel bike that he proudly described as “his destroyer”. And it has no brakes at all, which is in itself unlawful!
  13. I tried to interest the police in this new ‘evidence’, but there was no interest in taking it further.
  14. I decided to track down Vlad and confront him – his Facebook page referred to his place of work in Upper Street Islington and that is where I found him on 23 May. Vlad readily admitted responsibility (for wrecking my life for months!) and when I asked him what the hell he thought he was doing in riding fast over a red-light, his response was to shrug his young shoulders, smile and say: “That’s me, that’s the way I am – that’s what I do!”
  15. I sought out Vlad again on 12 June – still smiling he told me that he ceased to ride fast and had slowed down, although his bike (the Destroyer) still has no brakes. I wondered - had he really reformed and again looked at his Facebook, which had an entry for 5 June bragging about averaging 40 kph on a ride from Tottenham to Kings Cross! So much for mending his ways.
  16. On 4 June I submitted a formal complaint to the Haringey Borough Commander of Police – my five point complaint is that the Met Police mismanaged the whole process of reporting and acting on my crash. I made the point that they seemed to regard cyclist-on-cyclist crashes as trivial, and that had a pedestrian or motor vehicle been involved they would have taken it all more seriously.
  17. My shoulder should be strong enough for me to return to cycling by mid July – three months after the crash and I have just been able to resume driving.
  18. My messages to fellow cyclists (and pedestrians too) are: 
  • beware riders of “little-fixies” with no or minimal brakes, they could do you serious damage and think it’s all part of their culture
  • have no confidence in the police, who seem to regard cyclists as willing victims
  • if you are involved in a crash, injured as you might be, try to get details of witnesses and be prepared to take your own legal action
  • don’t rely on lawyers who offer to act on a “no-fee-no-win” basis (such as the one on the LCC lists) – they quickly lose interest when the culprit has no assets and there is no money in it for them.

 

Hopefully none of this will ever be relevant to you.

 

Colin

 

15 June 2013

Views: 4188

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alison P on June 15, 2013 at 21:34
This is such an awful story Colin. I'm so sorry you've gone through this. I cycle this same route every day and suspect I will think of you at that crossing every time. I'm so shocked by how the incident was handled by the police afterwards, i only can imagine how upsetting it must have been to have this potentially (or actually) life changing thing happen to you and find that nobody had bothered to file anything. And finally I am amazed that the police wouldn't take it further - how more cut and dried could it be: his bike isn't legal; he admitted liability; you have the scars and hardware to prove it. Please do post the response you get to your letter. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they changed their mind.
Permalink Reply by Colin Marr on June 15, 2013 at 21:46

Thank you for all these messages of support and concern. But let me emphasise one thing – my story was not to play to anti-cyclist views. On the contrary, I am enthusiastically pro-cyclist – my grouse is against the lunatic fringe who gives cyclists in London a bad name.

In general, cyclists get a better view of what is going on in traffic and can often see things better than drivers sitting lower down in their cars. Sometimes, what might seem dangerous when seen from a car seat is actually quite safe.

My experience is that the biggest hazard to cyclists and pedestrians are negligent and cavalier drivers of cars and commercial vehicles. The lunatic fringe of mad cyclists are a tiny minority, and they are exemplified by Vlad and his no-brakes mates. I would be pleased to see tougher action against them.

Another relevant article about the ‘little fixies’ is: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2010/aug/25...

When I get a response to my letter of complaint to the Borough Commander I’ll post on this forum.

Colin

Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on June 16, 2013 at 7:46

One of the things that angers me about this, is that if conduct like this is allowed to go unchecked, cycling in general will further lose the moral high ground.

I am a fan of cycles and cycling and yet some cyclists behave like utter fools on the road. They weaken the case for more regard for, and facilities for cycling.

The police, on behalf of society, need to make an example of Vlad the Impaler. The police need to make examples of all conduct like this, for the greater good.

Thank you for the help you've given to me with my cycle, Colin. As you know, it is an old-fashioned, properly-braked, sit-up-and-beg bicycle, but what you may not know is that it is also timorously ridden!

Permalink Reply by Nico on June 16, 2013 at 0:19

I'm sorry to hear about your story Colin. I am a cycle courier and I do that leg of 7SR on my own 'minimal' (with brake) fixie every day, but I won't consider that sort of behaviour as in my name. Sadly there will always be pillocks.

Go onto the LFGSS forum with the details of this thread. Going by his enthusiasm for fixed gear riding he might just frequent the place - calling him out on that sort of behaviour there is likely to get him a flaying from some of his peers. You might need to be ready to enter into a protracted debate about brakeless riding if you include that detail, though. 

Permalink Reply by Nico on June 16, 2013 at 0:34

Having checked, it's already up there (post 7365 onwards)

http://www.lfgss.com/thread50817-148.html

Permalink Reply by John W Leach on June 16, 2013 at 10:22

I know Colin and what he modestly has not mentioned is the considerable pain he suffered, for a long period, even to the extent that the bruising on his body showed the imprint of Vlad's helmet!!

Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on June 16, 2013 at 13:49

I've seen that photo and its more evidence of the force of collision. Vlad was not looking where he was going and was recklessly careless.

For any cyclists unaware, the Tri-Borough Festival of Cycling is currently on NOW (16 June, Sunday afternoon) at Finsbury Park, until 18:00 hours.

Permalink Reply by Gerry Platt on June 16, 2013 at 10:47

"Injury collisions are often investigated by general police with minimal training".

http://www.roadpeace.org/change/improved_investigations/

Permalink Reply by Grant on June 16, 2013 at 20:31
That's a truly shocking story. I hope you recover soon Colin. I always take extra care when cycling twice daily across the road at that crossing. Principally because at least once a week, when I have a green light, someone driving down 7 Sisters Road decides to drive through the red light at top speed.
Permalink Reply by linka on June 16, 2013 at 20:45

yep, I've lost count of the cars I've seen drive through red in both directions, when the cross (Finsbury Park) road light is green. It's slightly more common in the southward direction, with the drivers gazing fixedly over at the larger lights at the junction with Blackstock Road.

This sounds like a horrible accident.

Permalink Reply by Colinloves on June 18, 2013 at 17:20

Wow, when I broke my collar bone, I was just given a sling and directed to the exit.

Permalink Reply by Mavic Starfish on June 19, 2013 at 10:49

Hope you've healed up well, I got hit by a car futher up towards Holloway, and broke my collarbone - it's no fun.  luckily the Police were a darn sight better than those who handled your case.  That bloke sounds like an utter t%%%%%%%, fairplay to you for  remaining calm about it.  Please let us know what the outcome is?  I have cycling insurance and think it fair that everyone should get it to be covered - especially in this scenario.  I've been hit (yes that's right) 3 times by pedestrian stepping out from cars without looking.  All apologised, but not much good if one of us gets hurt or the bike is wrecked.  I've now taken to scanning for pedestrians as well as cars.  To be hit by a wreckless cyclist is beyond annoying.

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