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Imperial College
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“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race” H. G. Wells, author and Imperial College alumnus |
Thomas Sippel-Dau, an Imperial College computer technician, was killed whilst cycling by an SUV on Cromwell Road on the 11th March 2005.
Apijak Srivannavit, a postgraduate student, was killed whilst cycling by a coach on Cromwell Roadon the 25th May 2005.
This page brings together information on how we can help to prevent such deaths in the future.
These are just suggestions, so please read carefully and make your own decisions. Most involve action you can take to make cycling safer for yourself on all roads. This is not to imply that the victims were necessarily in any way to blame for their own deaths: it is important to avoid becoming a victim, no matter who is at fault.
A strange one to start with, and it is here to make a point. Cycling is healthy, fun, fast, cheap, clean and safe. The benefits of cycling to your health and life vastly outweigh the risks you take. Do not let these deaths intimidate you into giving up cycling. As more people cycle, it becomes even safer.
Fairly simple - keep off Cromwell Road and you won't be hit by traffic on Cromwell Road. There are alternative routes to the west. This avoids heavy, aggressive and fast-moving traffic. However the alternatives are not as direct or fast, and a more complex, winding route may mean more opportunities to get knocked over. So you still need to be alert.
You might like to learn more about assertive cycling - see "Get trained" below.
Use your eyes, ears, nose and sixth sense. Look over your shoulder before moving sideways - motorists are a presumptious lot and assume you're going to continue in the same direction. Practice looking around off-road, as you may sometimes accidentally swerve about! Listen out for cars too - don't listen to music when cycling. Diesel fumes smell bad and the vehicles producing them are often the most dangerous - learn the smell and beware. Newer buses smell more like sweaty changing rooms.
In particular, look out for:
[taken from TfL Street Management site]
Buy the Highway Code and read it. Or read it for free online. Follow all the advice where it says MUST and MUST NOT, unless it is dangerous to do so: not only are you legally obliged, it could save your life. The rest of the advice is not compulsory and is, in some cases, dangerous. More practical and safer advice is given in "Cyclecraft" - see next point.
Although it is sometimes hard to believe, every driver on the road has to undergo training and testing before they're allowed out unaccompanied. While it is nice that cyclists don't have to do the same, consider getting some professional training. This is especially important if you don't already have a driving license, which helps cyclists understand the driver's mind a little. If you can't afford training, buy "Cyclecraft" by John Franklin and read it. Follow the advice: this man knows what he is talking about.
Make sure your bike is safe for riding on! Your brakes are the most important bit, but equally you don't want wheels collapsing, cables snapping or chains flying off when you're riding in heavy traffic. ICBUG will start up cycle maintenance workshops over the summer, but in the mean time you could get a service at your local bike shop, or get a decent book and do it yourself.
Write to your MP, local councillor, the Mayor, Transport for London - anyone who'll listen! Tell them what has happened, and ask them to commit more time, thought and money to cycling in London. You can just point them at this page if you want. Suggestions about what to ask for will soon be posted below.
Join or donate to a campaigning organisation, and ask them to get involved in safety on Cromwell Road - for example:
Or join in with a non-campaigning disorganisation!
Consider wearing a helmet... but remember that a helmet does not make you invulnerable. A helmet can help to protect your head against an impact of around 15mph, so don't assume you can cycle carelessly in traffic doing 40mph once you're wearing one. You are always better off not having an accident at all! Follow the other advice on this page and then think about getting a helmet. Some information about cycle helmets from other web sites:
Here are some more links to cycling advice and information sites:
You can plan another route using the free London Cycle Network Maps (email david.c.johnson for a copy, or order your own online, or some cycle shops stock them). These are large sheets with the standard A-Z map and highlighted routes which are (sometimes) better for cyclists. Don't treat them as definitive: they are a starting point for you to find your own routes. Often routes are poorly signposted and you'll spend more time looking at the map than cycling. Some routes are over complicated and some areas are poorly covered.
You can use the CycleMaps website to automatically plan routes, which can use the London Cycle Network or "direct" routes to your preference. It can successfully navigate between Imperial College and Earl's Court, crossing Cromwell Road once.
Below are some routes particular cyclists recommend. More routes will appear over time.
Above is some practical advice on what you can do about cycling on Cromwell Road right now. But it is not entirely the cyclist's responsibility to protect themselves when cycling. Other road users and the people who design roads must take their fair share. But it is much harder to get other people to change than it is to change yourself. Vitally, we have to decide what should be done, and then persuade someone in authority that it is worth doing.
This section will be developed with ideas and research over the next few days. Please subscribe to the mailing list to get news and give your view on what should be done.