Cyclist injured in Oxhey Lane

On my commute in this morning a section of the A4008 (Oxhey Lane)
south of Watford had been closed by the police. I thought it might be
accessible to cyclists and continued along it. At the top of the hill
a number of police officers were taking measurements of the road. They
said I could go through but asked me to stay on the right, away from
the car that was stopped ahead. When I got level with it I saw there
was a deep indentation in the windscreen, there was a heavily
bloodstained cushion beside the road, and ominously a parked bicycle.

I went back and asked the police if a cyclist had been hit. They
confirmed that one had, and that he was badly hurt and had been taken
to hospital. They thought the faulty street lighting along that
section may have played a part, and at this stage they didn't think
the motorist had been speeding. It certainly looked to me as though
something had hit that windscreen pretty hard though. I presume the
cushion had been placed under his head while they were waiting for the
ambulance.

Fairly sobering. That is a nasty stretch of road at the best of times,
with a number of dangerous pinch points. For some reason motorists
seem to be particularly aggressive along there. On Christmas Eve, for
example, riding in the opposite direction I was manhandled by the
passengers of a car who leaned out of the window and tried to push me
off as they overtook. I've also been harassed by a white van along the
same stretch, who slowed as he overtook me then tried to force me off
the road.

--
Dave...

"Dave Kahn" wrote in message
om...

.....
I went back and asked the police if a cyclist had been hit. They
confirmed that one had, and that he was badly hurt and had been taken
to hospital. They thought the faulty street lighting along that
section may have played a part...

Assuming a properly lit cyclist, I'm not sure how street lights can be blamed.
Many roads have none at all and cyclists seem fine on them if lit ok.

Adrian Boliston wrote:

Assuming a properly lit cyclist, I'm not sure how street lights can be
blamed. Many roads have none at all and cyclists seem fine on them if lit
ok.

Possible answer in your last three words?

Tony

"Adrian Boliston" wrote in message
...
"Dave Kahn" wrote in message
om...

.....
I went back and asked the police if a cyclist had been hit. They
confirmed that one had, and that he was badly hurt and had been taken
to hospital. They thought the faulty street lighting along that
section may have played a part...

Assuming a properly lit cyclist, I'm not sure how street lights can be
blamed.
Many roads have none at all and cyclists seem fine on them if lit ok.


I disagree. The motorist should still have seen the cyclist, even if the
cyclist or the road was inadequately lit.

"Nathaniel Porter" wrote in message
...

I disagree. The motorist should still have seen the cyclist, even if the
cyclist or the road was inadequately lit.

Unless of course cyclist suddenly swerved into motorists path, or failed to give
right of way at a junction. Very hard to apportion blame given the facts so far,
but I was just saying don't blame street lighting for accident.

"Adrian Boliston" typed


"Dave Kahn" wrote in message
om...

.....
I went back and asked the police if a cyclist had been hit. They
confirmed that one had, and that he was badly hurt and had been taken
to hospital. They thought the faulty street lighting along that
section may have played a part...

Assuming a properly lit cyclist, I'm not sure how street lights can be
blamed.
Many roads have none at all and cyclists seem fine on them if lit ok.


The area is full of fairly aggressive people in BIG cars and is on the
Green Belt boundary. (not as though this excuses anything) As there are
few houses, no doubt it's OK to go as fast as you like, isn't it? ...

I'll ask my friends in Bushey if they know anything.

--
Helen D. Vecht:
Edgware.

Adrian Boliston wrote:

Very hard to apportion blame given the
facts so far, but I was just saying don't blame street lighting for
accident.

Agree about apportionment but I think your use of the words "faulty street
lighting" implied that the street lighting was not working properly and may
have contributed to the accident. It could be for example that the cyclist
didn't use lights because the road is well lit normally. Illegal I know but
faulty street lighting could be a contributory factor then.

But as you say, its all speculation at the moment

Tony

"Dave Kahn" wrote in message
om...

That is a nasty stretch of road at the best of times,
with a number of dangerous pinch points. For some reason motorists
seem to be particularly aggressive along there.

I remember it with little affection. When I lived in St Albans my favourite
bike shop was on Chalk Hill, by Bushey Arches, and my great-aunt lives in
South Oxhey (but calls it Carpenders Park...)

From your account it has since got even worse :-(

--
Guy
===

WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
http://chapmancentral.demon.co.uk

"Tony Raven" wrote in message
...

its all speculation at the moment


True - although the damage to the MDG indicates a higher closing speed than
would normally be considered prudent when around cyclists, however they
might be riding.

--
Guy
===

WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
http://chapmancentral.demon.co.uk

Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:

True - although the damage to the MDG indicates a higher closing speed than
would normally be considered prudent when around cyclists, however they
might be riding.

A human body (indeterminate weight) can make quite a mess of a windscreen at
15-20mph. Passing a cyclist at that speed would not be generally considered
imprudent

Tony