Lessons from bike tragedies

 

Published: 21 April, 2011

• READING about Paula Jurek, (New Journal, April 14), yet another cyclist and a lovely young woman whose life was so tragically ended on the road by a lorry, it brought back to me how her family’s life must now be for ever changed and that the devastation for her parents and siblings is not comparable with any other bereavement. 

My own beautiful 27-year-old daughter Janine was killed at a junction near King’s Cross in February 1993, due to a blind spot of an older type of cement lorry.  

She was stationary, waiting at the lights, when the lorry began its left-turn and knocked her off her bicycle. She got entangled in the lorry’s wheels and died instantly.  

I began a seven-year campaign, aided by RoadPeace and Glenda Jackson MP, to legislate for all lorries to be fitted with extra fish-eye mirrors, irrespective of their age. I believe this may have started more awareness about the blind spots of HGVs generally, and now the introduction of “trixi” mirrors may hopefully be a very useful aid in avoiding this type of fatal accident.

My deepest sympathy goes to the family of Paula Jurek.  The loss of a young life such as Paula’s – and Janine’s – is a tragedy that leaves its effect on their families for ever.

JULIE BURKE, NW3

 

Proficiency

• AS the holder of a full car and motor cycle licence and now a long-term, and dedicated cyclist, I am only too aware of the dangers on the road. 

As a motorcyclist you learn very quickly how and where to position yourself on the road to eliminate danger to yourself. Being a motorcyclist gave me a very good understanding and reading of road conditions and dangers.

I’ve noticed that many pedal cyclists have no awareness of the danger they are putting themselves in by poor positioning. It is as though they think they have a “god-given right to be there” and everyone on the road will get out of their way. 

It usually comes as quite a shock to these cyclists that on the road they are the most vulnerable. 

I would suggest that local police cyclists give training, as with the old Cycling Proficiency Test, to highlight the dangers. 

This would be beneficial for both police and public relations, and hopefully save some vulnerable, inexperienced, cyclists in the future.

TONY FISHER, NW1

Safety first

• THERE is no point blaming the roads or lorry drivers every time a cyclist goes up the inside of a lorry that is indicating left. 

Cyclists have to take responsibility for their own actions. 

This has happen to me, as a truck driver, many times, and there but for the grace of god go I. 

Cyclists, especially Boris Bikers, need to learn about safety on the roads. 

Bring back the proficiency test and make it a legal requirement.

GEORGE CURLEY
York Way, Camden

Stay legal

• THIS letter doesn’t address the circumstances of the tragic death of the cyclist on Camden Road, I don’t know the details of that sad incident. 

Instead it is a plea to cyclists who habitually break the law on London’s roads, now at epidemic levels. 

Law-breaking and dangerous driving is unacceptable from any road-user. But cyclists constantly jump red traffic lights.

I assume cyclists think their law-breaking behaviour is safe. But it creates an atmosphere of unpredictability and tension around them on the road. This in itself creates danger, let alone irritation. 

Cyclists should comply with traffic laws and the Highway Code. 

RICHARD FERRARO
Shirlock Road NW3

Dangerous

• EVERYONE knows cycling in London is dangerous. 

Walking is equally dangerous, especially in Camden, when cyclists who are too scared to use the road invade the pavements and disturb the passers-by.

If cyclists are scared of the road, why are they using a bike? 

Why don’t they use public transport?

Some selfish cyclists seem to have their own Highway Code – or pavement code. 

They rush, dash, turn, U-turn, and leap into any space they discover, terrorising pedestrians, especially the elderly and the disabled.

They must realise they are a nuisance! After all, cyclists are also pedestrians.

The strictest regulations are a must, as well as cycling tests, on the lines of driving tests. 

Good cycling is as important as good driving.

C ELEVEN, NW6