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Wednesday, 4th November 2009 Change Date Latest Issue

City cyclist trapped under wheels of bus

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Published Date: 23 April 2008
A CYCLIST was trapped under the wheels of a coach carrying schoolchildren in Tollcross today.
The man, who is understood to have escaped with a broken ankle, was cycling down Leven Street opposite the King's Theatre when the collision happened during today's rush hour.

Police were still interviewing witnesses at the scene this morning.

It is believed the bike and the bus – a Kirknewton-based AAA coach carrying schoolchildren – were both travelling north towards Tollcross. Witnesses said as the bus went to turn left the bike continued straight on and the two were in collision shortly before 9am.

The fire service from nearby Tollcross lifted the coach off the driver's trapped leg with the help of air bags.

He was then taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The bike was taken away by officers as evidence. The back wheel was slightly mangled but the rest of it seemed reasonably intact.





Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 23 April 2008 1:26 PM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

,

23/04/2008 14:41:54
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
2

Peter - very disappointed/concerned,

Edinburgh 23/04/2008 15:08:26
I often wonder just who it was on the City Counci who took irresponsible step of including cyclists in the bus lane (accidents and probably worse waiting to happen).

Hope the poor guy mends quickly after such a frightening experience.
3

Scotish Exile,

23/04/2008 16:36:28
wouldn't have happened if he was in his car, these cyclists will never learn, brains are not one of their strong points....B.O. on the other hand is!
4

,

23/04/2008 16:53:43
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
5

me150,

23/04/2008 18:09:22
I wonder if passing between the bus and the kerb had anything to do with it.

That is the usual cause and no surprise at the outcome.

About time cyclists were targeted by Police or traffic wardens and prosecuted for breaking the law or negligence. And while we're at it, how about insurance?
6

AlasdairM,

Edinburgh 23/04/2008 19:29:29
This is one thing that really annoys me about certain cyclists. I gave one abuse today for doing the very same thing, riding up the inside while a car was stopped in the middle of the road indicating left. I should add that I was also on my bike at the time.

I don't care for the usual comments about road tax and all that rubbish, and it makes me happy to see more bikers on the road, but the attitudes of some genuinely irresponsible riders makes things worse for people like me who obey the Highway Code. Tarring all bikers with the same brush just breeds contempt for us all, and unfortunately this can be expressed by some frankly dangerous maneouvres by aggrieved drivers.

I ride in the same way that I drive - I wouldn't drive through a red light or hop up onto the pavement in my car, so why should my bike be any different?
7

AlasdairM,

Edinburgh 23/04/2008 19:36:28
#8 - I just had a wee read of rule 223, and unfortunately some of the time the rider just has to overtake the bus as opposed to waiting.

If you have a driver behind you in a car, and you want to stop on a bike, I can guarantee that the biker's stopping distance will be a lot shorter, so at times you are governed by the movement of the driver behind you. While in an accident it is always the fault of the driver behind not braking in time, many drivers fail to understand the different stopping distances involved so as a biker you need to take a common sense approach to this.

The same goes for amber lights, I know that I can stop on a sixpence on my bike, but the driver who has just accelerated that little bit too much to get through the lights behind me would just plough into me if I had done so.
8

MacKenzie,

Edinburgh 23/04/2008 20:11:34
At least it was only a broken ankle - just imagine if he fell under a tram.
9

blackley,

Edinburgh 23/04/2008 21:18:44
A little victory for the silent majority I suppose.
10

Robbie_Recycle,

Edinburgh 23/04/2008 21:19:32
#10

Must be tough sitting on that bus watching all those cyclists go by... Can I sense some jealousy there? Maybe if more people bothered to get on their bikes less of those all important doctors appointments would be missed.

Seriously though, I do understand why people find it easy to have a go at cyclists - there are a few idiots out there - but believe it or not the majority do obey the rules of the road.

Its ashame many people automatically blame the cyclist, has anyone stopped to think it might not have been their fault? I myself have been on the receiving end of some shocking bus driving. It might be inconvenient to wait for a 'slow' cyclist but I guarantee its a whole lot more inconvenient to be knocked onto the pavement by an inconsiderate bus driver!
11

Finbarr Saunders,

23/04/2008 21:22:27
Dark clothing, no lights, riding on and off pavements whenever it suits them, ignoring red lights, etc, etc.

Cyclists have earned the contempt of most other road users and pedestrians.

I'm just surprised that there are so few reported accidents involving cyclists.

#8 and 11 - Gorgie Tony - Two posts without having a go at teenagers or the "useless and lazy" police?

You're slipping!
12

Robbie_Recycle,

Edinburgh 23/04/2008 21:23:18
***Typo!!***

Make that #11!
13

the watchfull eye,

23/04/2008 21:47:06
she was my granny and she was shoved
14

Embra boy,

Edinburgh 23/04/2008 22:00:45
#8 and #10.

The relevant Highway Code rule is 65, where cyclists should not pass between a bus and the kerb when the bus is at a stop.

For other posters, Highway Code rule 64 is "you must not cycle on the pavement", and 69 "you must obey all traffic signs and traffic signals".

Like #9, I drive and cycle - I obey the rules of the road on both modes of transport. The sad thing is not everyone does.

Hope the cyclist injured here makes a full recovery.
15

Robin Bankes,

Culross 23/04/2008 22:28:09
#9 Tarring all bikers with the same brush just breeds contempt

It is despicable to stereotype them but it is much more fun so to do. ;-)
16

Robin Bankes,

Culross 23/04/2008 22:32:18
19 You are always such a beacon of perfect rectitude. What's your secret, Tony?
17

paulr,

edinburgh 24/04/2008 09:17:59
#10
"disobediences of the Highway Code"
There is nothing in the highway code that says you must give way to busses,
it says please give way,
a huge difference.
18

Robbie_Recycle,

Edinburgh 24/04/2008 10:54:37
#19 and 24

Yes, you've changed my opinion, I now think you need to start getting an earlier bus! And how you've come to the conclusion that I am "DISOBEYING THE HIGHWAY CODE" is beyond me?

I do agree with you that some cyclists, motorists, pedestrians, and believe it or not, buses don't have enough respect on the roads and in doing so endanger the rest of us who do. But to expect busses to have the right of way in any situation is nonsense.

And as far as red lights go, the number of times buses go through amber or red is astonishing, but i'll guess you'd rather not report that law breaking?
19

Artemis,

24/04/2008 11:46:52
Some of the people here are so nasty - a bloke's got a broken ankle and all you can do is make unpleasant and inaccurate generalisations about all cyclists.
20

Claire Dunbar,

Edinburgh 24/04/2008 12:05:01
I do not know why comments are allowed on this paper.

All they do is attract the brain dead morons with their predictable comments.
21

David Harrington,

Edinburgh 24/04/2008 12:16:15
There are bad cyclists, pedestrians, motorists, bus drivers, yet people assume it is the cyclist's fault when there is no evidence of that from this article, nor any reason to suggest that cyclists are any more likely than any other road user to break the highway code or law.
22

NeilMac,

Edinburgh 24/04/2008 14:14:54
(Gorgie Tony - perhaps you'd care to share with the class your miraculous strategy for funding this utopian vision you have for the omnipotent police force?)

There is not enough information in the article for anyone to determine who was at fault. I've been mown down twice while cycling by motorists overtaking me then immediately turning left. On both occasions there was a lot more damage to the cars that to me or my bike - hopefully the expense of repairs would teach them to wait that extra 2 seconds in future!
23

Why can't I use my usual name?,

Glasgow 24/04/2008 18:23:17
Spot on, #27.
24

Niadh,

Edinburgh 25/04/2008 13:04:40
#27 Very well said.

What i find missing from this article are details.
Like where was the cyclist in relation to the bus on the approach to the junction?
Was the bus driver indicating his intention to turn?
Did the bus driver check his mirrors to see if it was indded safe to make the maneuver?
Too many anti cyclists here are jumping to ill informed conclusions.

#7 me150. You introduce the requirement for insurance, licenses etc and you will kill cycling in the UK overnight. That will have a knock on effect on jobs (cycle shops, Raleigh) and will lead to increased congestion and obesety due to lack of an excellent form of exercise.

While we are going on about the highway code how about section 178.
Advanced stop lines. Some signal-controlled junctions have advanced stop lines to allow cycles to be positioned ahead of other traffic. Motorists, including motorcyclists, MUST stop at the first white line reached if the lights are amber or red and should avoid blocking the way or encroaching on the marked area at other times, e.g. if the junction ahead is blocked. If your vehicle has proceeded over the first white line at the time that the signal goes red, you MUST stop at the second white line, even if your vehicle is in the marked area. Allow cyclists time and space to move off when the green signal shows.

The number of drivers i see (on my bike) every day ignoring this is ridiculous. How about getting some cops to deal with these law breakers!?!

And in relation to the article in question there are sections 182 and 183
182

Use your mirrors and give a left-turn signal well before you turn left. Do not overtake just before you turn left and watch out for traffic coming up on your left before you make the turn, especially if driving a large vehicle. Cyclists, motorcyclists and other road users in particular may be hidden from your view.
Do not cut in on cyclists
183

When turning

keep as close to the left as is safe and practicable
give wa
25

Niadh,

edinburgh 25/04/2008 13:05:39
cont from 32

182

Use your mirrors and give a left-turn signal well before you turn left. Do not overtake just before you turn left and watch out for traffic coming up on your left before you make the turn, especially if driving a large vehicle. Cyclists, motorcyclists and other road users in particular may be hidden from your view.
Do not cut in on cyclists
183

When turning

keep as close to the left as is safe and practicable
give way to any vehicles using a bus lane, cycle lane or tramway from either direction
26

spartaprague,

30/04/2008 14:25:53
A lot of assumptions made here. The cyclist is lucky not to be more seriously injured. Spare a thought for the bloke who wasn't so lucky at Nicolson St. yesterday.

 

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