Forum Topic

Bikes in hit and run in Chiswick

Copied from Twitter Hounslow Cycling@HounslowCycling·2hTwo people on bikes hit and run in Chiswick - Abinger Rd, Dukes Meadows. Both hit from the side/behind, neither vehicle stopped as their victim lay in the road. If anyone saw either event, please get in touch.I’m afraid there’s going to be a lot more cycle collisions in the dukes Meadows area as Hounslow Council, due to the blockage of the tunnel and construction of the car , coach and lorry parking have turned Riverside Drive and the promenade into very busy and dangerous roads, Hounslow have provided a safe cycling route from Barnes Bridge to Hammersmith, which was used quite often in the beginning, but cyclist seem to have returned to the promenade again which has become very busy.

Bernard Allen ● 1770d78 Comments

It would be helpful to know the times and dates of these incidents.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1770d

Ask Michael Robinson of the Hounslow Cycling Campaign.They posted this message on Twitter

Bernard Allen ● 1770d

Why have cyclists "returned to the promenade again which has become very busy."  ??

Steve Taylor ● 1770d

Jeremy, the accident occurred on Wed 17th Nov, 10:46 on Riverside Drive about 150m along from the Cricket Club going towards the Promenade. The report is with the Met Collision Investigation & Prosecutions Team, helmet cam coverage of the incident and LBH CCTV and ANPR gathered. The Met are asking for any witnesses to get in contact  , a lady driver of a Mini Countryman who was extremely helpful at the scene would  be very useful if she could make contact. So if you can help please message me and I will pass it on. Sadly I suffered a hip fracture from what was a very distressing scene for everyone concerned.

Joseph Forshaw ● 1762d

Get well soon.

Rob Reynolds ● 1762d

Yes, and hope the Mini Countryman driver contacts you.

Janice Evans ● 1762d

So sorry to hear that Joseph and I wish you a good recovery. Dukes Meadows and the surrounding estates have no parking management or car restrictions and are unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians. No money has been spent to improve the situation although much money has been spent on increasing the amount of car parking. The sports clubs have enlarged their car and coach parks and the council has installed new parking bays all over the public part of the park, along the riverside. It is an anomaly; other areas of Chiswick have had extensive measures introduced to improve air quality and make cycling and walking safer.The only current measure at Dukes Meadows is the restriction on parking on one side of the road at the top of Riverside Drive, only on the first Sunday of the month. That is to ease the flow of traffic from cars from all over London using Dukes Meadows Park and Staveley and Alexandra Gardens as a free car park for the Boot Fair. Contrast that with the, soon to be implemented restrictions, making it difficult for anyone who doesn't live in Grove Park to drive into the area.  When you consider that the area around Dukes Meadows has many council and social homes, how is this inconsistent approach not discriminatory?

Kathleen Healy ● 1761d

Footage of the Riverside Drive incident has now been published on the front page. Some clever person may also know how to copy it onto this thread.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1757d

I have just seen it, I am surprised the cyclist didn’t slow up or stop…..it shows the car overtaking on a narrow lane, past the cyclist but having to pull in perhaps tighter than planned due to an oncoming car. I would have thought the cyclist would have spotted the oncoming car in opposite direction and realising the potential danger I would have stopped if I had been the cyclist not keep cycling, I value my life, thankfully the cyclist seems OK. That is the challenge on narrow lanes. All road users need to be aware of dangers.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1757d

It seems to me perfectly possible that the driver was unaware that the rear of the vehicle had made contact with the cyclist. After all the slightest touch could be enough to unseat the rider.

Adrian Irving ● 1757d

I agree Adrian and the driver may have also thought the cyclist would have slowed down as they would have been aware of the oncoming car and expected the overtaking car to pull over otherwise it could have been much more serious as the car had nowhere to go

Jayne Thorburn ● 1757d

You both need to hand your licenses in if that's what you think. Pulling in without completing your pass into another road users space? Overtaking when it's not clear ahead and hoping the person you're overtaking takes evasive action?

John Hall ● 1757d

Well said John Hall.

Will Watson ● 1757d

John, you need to re-read my post having removed your prejudice blinkers.I simply said the driver may not have been aware of the contact. I made no comment on his/ her driving skills which on the face it were lacking.

Adrian Irving ● 1757d

Adrian is correct!

Steve Taylor ● 1757d

Wouldn't a quick glance in the rear view mirror would be in order if you made a close overtaking manoeuvre?Seeing the guy you have just knocked to the deck writhing around in agony with a broken hip might have prompted a different course of action than leaving the scene.

Will Watson ● 1757d

Will you may be right.However it may also be the case that a "quick glance" in the rear view mirror would not have reflected anything bearing in mind the injured person would be on the ground.I accept that the driver may have been aware of what happened and driven off but neither of us know this so it is only fair to  consider the possibility that the driver was unaware.

Adrian Irving ● 1757d

An accident waiting to happen at busy times in my view.On the right hand side of the road..the pededtrian pathwau peters out

Jim Lawes ● 1757d

If you look closely you will see the gloved hand of the cyclist stretching out and touching the side of the people carrier.

Adrian Irving ● 1757d

Why didn’t the cyclist just stop? Surely they could see the situation unfolding thus saving themselves. I don’t know that stretch of lane but I have been caught out on country lanes when the road is clear and someone driving too fast and cutting the corner into my path fortunately I am extremely cautious on narrow lanes so have been able to take evasive action to avoid being hit.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1756d

I have seen this video a few times now, and I agree that the cyclist should have slowed right down or even stopped to allow the car to move further over to the left. As it was, they continued to keep pace with the car, surely knowing that it was going to have to pull across to give space to the car on the opposite side? This would also most probably be a blind spot for the driver - they would not have seen them in the rear view mirror, or possibly the side mirror - particularly if they were concentrating on what was going on in front of them. Of course the driver should have stopped following the accident, but again might not have known what had happened.

Mark Edwards ● 1756d

I have posted on here a few times that Riverside Drive is not safe for cyclists.The traffic has really increased on this road which also and now accommodates coaches, vans and some lorry’s. Some traffic that used to use Dan Mason Drive now use riverside drive insteadEven traffic for the Rugby club has has started to use RD and park on the road alongside the Virgin Heath Club the walk under the bridge to the new entrance that’s been near open near to the bridge, so that’s not working as designed.Riverside Drive only has one pavement which is at road level (No Kerb). When installed was meant to be shared by pedestrians and vehicles, as two large vehicles such as coaches cannot pass one and other without using a part of the pavement.Remember this road isn’t maintained by Hounslow highways, it is a road designed to take light local park traffic as access to the various sports clubs and the general public enjoyment, not what it has been turned into by Hounslow Council.So in the last two years there has been a large increase of large vehicles using the area as an overnight van and lorry park, increasing the pollution for the residents that live within the park.So why do  cyclist still use this dangerous road, I am surprised there hasn’t been more accidents involving pedestrians and Cyclists this year. Closing the bridge has now had a counter effect as like all human nature, people will always finger the shortest route to there destination.So vehicles using destinations in Dan Mason Drive still use Riverside drive to get almost there, park up on the promenade and walk under the bridge to their relevant destination.So the message for all local cyclists is to not use dukes meadows roads as they have become to dangerous, and is not a normal high way, they are roads inside a park.

Bernard Allen ● 1756d

 Here is my own investigation of perhaps
 The cyclist is at a point when he has one hand on the side of the car. It is when his back wheel hits the big pothole that he loses control as he only has one hand on the handlebars.
 Now I'm not saying this is why it happened but to my eye and slowing it down, this could have been a big factor. Has this been missed? Looks to me like the pothole is marked out with a square for future maintenance




 

Julian Pavey ● 1756d

Having looked at it again and again i think the car does sqeeze the cyclist up but im pretty sure at the same time that hole plays a big part. My thoughts and they are only thoughts

Julian Pavey ● 1756d

Dodgy for pedestrians, dodgy for cyclists.. why not signage "Accident black spot(s)"?

Jim Lawes ● 1756d

Or signage, no cyclists allowed, for your own safety. A nice red no cycling sign, do they even exist?

Maggie Dodge ● 1756d

Why not signs not to overtake cyclists?  Why do so many motorists feel that they have to overtake?

Philippa Bond ● 1756d

I prefer my idea 👍Just take no for an answer just once

Maggie Dodge ● 1756d

Have you ever been on a motorway?  Thousands of miles of road costing tens of billions of pounds, and just for motor vehicles. Surprised you’ve overlooked them.

Tom Pike ● 1756d

But there is already a safe cycle route signposted around Dukes Meadows. Unless you are going to one of the sports clubs, there’s no need to use Riverside Drive.This Sunday you will have the Chiswick School Car boot sale, they use Riverside Drive and add to the already congested condition’s.

Bernard Allen ● 1756d

What’s that got to do with a local problem that’s Hounslow’s making driven by you clan

Bernard Allen ● 1756d

'Why not signs not to overtake cyclists?  Why do so many motorists feel that they have to overtake?'As someone who cycles along Riverside Drive quite often the notion that I would have to do so with a tail of disgruntled drivers behind me is not one that appeals. I do try and give signals as to when it is safe or not safe to over take and generally they are understood.

Francis Rowe ● 1756d

This was not a “local problem”. That shifts the blame from what was simply bad driving compounded by a failure to stop after a collision. I don’t think the driver could expect any leniency on the basis that when they checked after overtaking they could no longer see any cyclist, so everything was fine!My comment was a reminder to Maggie, who thinks the answer is to remove the cyclist, that cycling is already prohibited on all motorways.

Tom Pike ● 1756d

Pedestrians and cyclists who are more vulnerable should have priority on a lot of roads.  They are likely to use the routes shortest for them.  Cars may have to be driven further or slower and should expect this.  Just like when there are road works and narrow lanes and signs saying don't overtake cyclists.  Many drivers don't know the size of their cars.  Have you never been in a car proceeding in the opposite direction and had to stop completely to allow one of these drivers to finish their ill conceived manoeuvre?

Philippa Bond ● 1756d

Have you ever seen a cyclist adhere to a “cyclists dismount” sign ? I think not

Maggie Dodge ● 1756d

It would be interesting to hear more from Joseph as to whether the pothole was a factor in his accident.

Richard Greenhough ● 1756d

.... but Julian's hypotheses may / may not have legs.Yes, it very much looks as though the people carrier moved across too soon. Undisputed.However it could be and I emphasis could, that the vehicle never made contact and that the cyclist put his arm out touching the side of the vehicle then, one hand off the handlebars making it more difficult to brake, the front wheel hits a pothole tumbling poor rider on to the road.That stretch is peppered by small potholes and has become very much busier than I can ever remember. At first I thought closing the tunnel to motors was a good idea but now I am not so sure.It's the law of unintended consequences.

Adrian Irving ● 1756d

Well i cant see how one goes down given car position and space at precise time. The car has not touched his wheel sideways or on the front. Lets get one thing straigh,im not myself looking for an opposite reason because its a car involved. But my exact thinking is the cyclist has just removed his hand from the car and as he is getting hand backl on the handle bars  when he hits the pot hole. The back end of the car is still beside the bike with a gap between wheel and car when the cyclist goes down. In my view,the pothole is why the cyclist lost control and hit the road and possibly not in full control of handle bars. I could be wrong,but then we could be wrong on the idea that the driver looked and could see that the cyclist had crashed as he may have thought he had cleared the cyclist and had his thoughts on the oncoming car and the car in front. It all very this,that and the other based on cam footage

Julian Pavey ● 1756d

Whether the vehicle made contact, or whether a pothole played any role in the cyclist losing balance, the fault here rests entirely with the driver for pulling in too soon, which is indeed beyond dispute. Either the driver after pulling out to pass paid no further attention to the cyclist when they pulled in and drove on unaware of the consequences of their manoeuvre, or they were aware that the cyclist had gone down and drove off to escape the consequences. Neither possibility changes the culpability for their driving, and indeed there is a case to be made that the penalty should really be the same whether or not there was any injury to the cyclist. Of course if the driver was aware that the cyclists had gone down, that is an additional offence. I think injury or death is used to assess how dangerous driving had been based on the consequences, given often there is little actual evidence of the driving itself. In this case we have the evidence, and that driving would be no less dangerous if the cyclist had been able to avoid injury.

Tom Pike ● 1756d

Tom Pike, My comment was Riverside Drive has become to dangerous for Cyclist considering the Size and amount of vehicles using it.There is a sign posted safe route to take which diverts Cyclist around Dukes meadows, so unless you are going to a sports club, why do cyclist still use Riverside Drive.But you guys are not interested about the increased pollution and Coaches using a road within a park.

Bernard Allen ● 1756d

Hello Bernard. I cycle in that area regularly and at weekends it is particularly busy with cars. However it does seem a little paradoxical  to say that on the one hand bikes are road users and should behave as such and on the other hand they should avoid roads. Yes there is a cycle route and that takes you along Dan Mason drive but that is also full of cars. There isn’t really a good reason to rush along either of these routes as everyone, cars and bikes are likely to have to stop at a traffic lights so a little patience is what’s called for rather than avoidance I think. And yes surely what we’ve learned is that cars shouldn’t overtake anything unless there is room to safely pass and pull in. In this instance the car seems to have pulled in very close to the cyclist to avoid oncoming traffic. From the Highway Code “Before overtaking you should make surethe road is sufficiently clear aheadroad users are not beginning to overtake youthere is a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake.163Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You shouldnot get too close to the vehicle you intend to overtakeuse your mirrors, signal when it is safe to do so, take a quick sideways glance if necessary into the blind spot area and then start to move outnot assume that you can simply follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking; there may only be enough room for one vehiclemove quickly past the vehicle you are overtaking, once you have started to overtake. Allow plenty of room. Move back to the left as soon as you can but do not cut intake extra care at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distancegive way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked vehicles or other obstructions on your side of the roadonly overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and there is room to do sostay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the leftgive motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car (see Rules 211 to 213 and 214 to 215).“

Alexandra McDevitt ● 1756d

Also that car wouldn't of been hard to find.The direction of travel, the vehicle could have turned into King House School Sports Ground.Parked up along the grass verge on the promenade, the two rowing clubs car parks at the end of the Promenade, the road leading to the Virgin Health Club or the Virgin Health club Car Park, it couldn't of gone any further than that.So if someone had followed it, it would have been easy to find, but there's very few good Samaritans about nowadays.

Bernard Allen ● 1756d

As mentioned, I would like to hear more from the unfortunate Joseph. The impression I get from the helmetcam video was that he could have braked sooner, if he had realised that there was a car coming the other way and the Ford would have to pull in, and as Julian suggests, the pothole may have been a contributory factor in him coming off his bike. Many years back I had an cycle accident on a fairly narrow main road when I reached a large pothole at the same time as a car was passing me and was therefore unable to avoid going into the pothole as I noticed it too late to brake, so I know how dangerous a pothole can be.

Richard Greenhough ● 1756d

He shouldn't have needed to brake.  The car should not have overtaken if there was not enough space to pull in safely after the overtake manoeuvre.  The car was in the wrong here.Sometimes you can avoid an incident after someone else on the roads does something dangerous, but it doesn't alter the fact that the dangerous driving shouldn't have happened in the first place.  If the Galaxy driver hadn't pulled off the dangerous overtake, this wouldn't have happened.  It's as simple as that.

Al Webber ● 1756d

But the LBoH have sign posted a safe route for Pedestrians and cyclist to by pass Dukes Meadows so as you exit the railway bridge from Dan Mason Drive you have to turn Left into Barnes ally. which then takes you through a much quieter and well lit road to the top of Riverside drive then along Alexandra Avenue. so why are you still using Riverside drive.Plus Riverside Drive will get worse when the coaches start using it more often as they have to drive on the pavement to pass one and other 

Bernard Allen ● 1756d

Al, I'm not disputing that the car didn't leave enough room. However, everyone on the road, be it pedestrian, cyclist or motorist needs to maintain full awareness of what is happening around them and react accordingly.

Richard Greenhough ● 1756d

You mean the route that means a cyclist shares with pedestrians? I’m a road user or at least that’s how I cycle, I’m not pottering along. I’m using my bike as a means of exercise and transport. I have seen pedestrians and families using that route and good for them. But that’s not my choice and sure,y that’s what all the drivers are arguing for here, choice to use their cars and as I have said, there’s no point rushing along those roads as you pretty much always hit a set of red lights

Alexandra McDevitt ● 1756d

Alexandra McDevitt That was a refreshing response from a Cyclist, but I don't see the Cycle campaigners of Chiswick agreeing with you, they what every cyclist penned in by safe Cycle lanes like the one on Chiswick high road.If I could still use my bike I would probably use a cycle lane to get from A to B as I'm not that competent nowadays. I definitely wouldn't use Riverside Drive, as you will be mixed in with Coaches, Vans and Lorry's once the parking and turning circle has been completed on the Promenade

Bernard Allen ● 1756d

That was a refreshing response from a Chiswick resident who happens to walk, cycle and drive. I don’t see us as separate tribes 😄

Alexandra McDevitt ● 1756d

There is a good reason that cyclists are taught to take the lane.  Why do some people still think that cyclists should just get out of their way and ride in the gutter when there is no designated lane?  There are often drain covers and other obstacles to avoid there as well. https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/road-positioning-cycling-explained

Philippa Bond ● 1756d

The reality is that all road users must be aware, we don’t live in a perfect world, accidents are just that. I think Julian’s eagle eye re pothole plays into the narrative, the cyclist was probably P…. Off with the driver and therefore not paying attention. If they had been aware they would have slowed down or stopped when seeing the pothole. Clearly the car pulled over perhaps quicker than had intended with car combing in opposite direction but the cyclist equally had the responsibly of being aware too. At least the cyclist is OK perhaps they will think twice about taking on a car in future…..

Jayne Thorburn ● 1755d

At least the cyclist is OK perhaps they will think twice about taking on a car in future…..I don’t think a broken hip is ok, but the cyclist could probably Claim off Hounslow Council Parks department for not maintaining the road to a decent standard.

Bernard Allen ● 1755d

This is really sad to witness.  So many people with a bias who immediately blame the cyclist for not taking evasive action.  STOP VICTIM BLAMING.  The driver is to blame and the poor cyclist is the one who now has a painful period of recovery.  And giving the driver a pass by saying they might not know that they hit the cyclist,  well I was always taught to check my mirror regularly.  Stop making excuses for this terrible piece of driving and have some sympathy for Joseph.  I wish him well for his recovery.

Nora Watkins ● 1755d

I hope he isn't reading the forum. He was very upset when similar victim-blaming and anti-cycling remarks were directed at him when he posted about the incident on NextDoor and so he shut the thread to comments.

Paul Campbell ● 1755d

Riverside Drive is not part of Hounslow’s residential road network. It is not maintained by Hounslow Highways, they stop at the junction with Staveley Gardens / Alexandra Gardens. This road is just an access road to other areas  of the park, which took over from the Promenade Approach Road when it was closed off to build the flood defences.In fact Riverside Drive used to be closed at dusk by the gates just passed the sports club and by gates behind the two rowing clubs. So the park wasn’t used at night. But over the years it’s been used more and more and at one time the road surface was so bad, one of the clubs paid out to have a new surface laid.But Hounslow  Council have added more heavy vehicles and increased its use which is starting to damage it even more.This access road is looked after by the department that looks after the parks, and it does seem to spend any money in maintaining the parks internal road system.

Bernard Allen ● 1755d

and it Doesn’t seem to spend any money in maintaining the parks internal road system.

Bernard Allen ● 1755d

Car overtakes cyclist unsafely, cuts across so close that the cyclist can touch the car to warn the driver, driver forces him into a pothole, cyclist falls and fractures his hip (the main weight-bearing bone in his body), car drives off without stopping, police appeal for witness, Jayne says the victim has ‘equal responsibility’ and ‘at least the cyclist is ok perhaps they will think twice about taking on a car in future’. This is what we’re up against. I don’t know if you drive Jayne. If you do please stop and do a driving refresher course.

Edward Seaton ● 1755d

I am not apportioning blame merely stating based on his own webcam that the cyclist could have avoided the incident, they choose not too. I am a brilliant driver 😂😂😂😂 I have seen so many near misses whereby cyclists would have been to blame if it had not been for the quick action of a driver. Cyclists need to be more road aware, equally drivers have to be mindful of other road users.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1755d

Just viewed the cam again the cyclist could have slowed down no question why on earth didn’t he…..no driver would want to hit anyone the cyclist should have been more aware and slowed down then he would have been fine, no broken hip unless of course he did actually fall due to pothole!

Jayne Thorburn ● 1755d

"the cyclist can touch the car to warn the driver, driver forces him into a pothole" But did the cyclist bang on the car or just take support ? But did the driver force him or did he not just see the hole because of what wasHappening ?  because if he had seen the hole the cyclist had room on the left to miss it. Im sorry but while im not coming from any position you just have. I dont think anyone is dismissing the driver and his actions. He is the cause for this to happen.

Julian Pavey ● 1755d

“ At least the cyclist is OK perhaps they will think twice about taking on a car in future…..”Jayne, nothing gives a motorist the right to run down a cyclist. Nothing.

Ed Saper ● 1755d

You are clearly not a brilliant driver Jayne. Please stop driving a car.

Edward Seaton ● 1755d

It looks as though cars probably travel too fast along there.The car was overtaking the cyclist not the other way around and shouldn't think about making the manoeuvre unless there is plenty of room. The cyclist should not have to move over and make way for the car.  It looks like some drivers need to brush up on both the Highway Code and their driving skills.What happened to Joseph after he fell?  Was there another following car or more?  Best wishes to Joseph on a speedy recovery.

Philippa Bond ● 1755d

I’m afraid your judgement of speed is as accurate as your assessment of blame. The footage shows the cyclist slowed down significantly as the car moved in as the driver slowed down. Its also notable that in your haste to blame the victim, you overlooked that he had suffered a broken hip, which is entirely the responsibility of the driver. You really should take Edward’s advice seriously.

Tom Pike ● 1755d

You're showing a spectacular lack of empathy Jayne.  Maybe you should read the Nextdoor thread.  The person who was cycling is over 70 and the hip injury is going to take months of recovery and rehabilitation.  If the car hadn't been pulling in on the cyclist they would have had time to react to the road without having to consider whether the car was going to make contact (so hitting the pothole would be a direct consequence of the actions of the vehicle).  Luckily the witnesses have been found the case is with the police now.

Nora Watkins ● 1755d

So it OK for cars to have to take evasive action because of bad cycling behaviour on the roads but not the other way round. Really sorry the chap hurt himself and wish him a speedy recovery but it just shows we all have to be aware and able to take evasive action. From what a lot of people are saying on this site cyclists are best to avoid this lane and take the cycle path.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1755d

The car is the one demonstrating bad behaviour.  The cyclist didn't have time to react when the vehicle pulled in suddenly.  I don't know about you,  but my driving instructor taught me to be careful around cyclists, pedestrians and motorbikes.  A car making contact could lead to life changing injuries. This is a shocking piece of driving and I'm a concerned that you can't see that and are STILL blaming the VICTIM in this case.

Nora Watkins ● 1755d

The cam is clear the cyclist had time to react…….what if the car never touched him and he went flying due to pothole. Perhaps the car had a clear road and it was safe to overtake, then a car coming in the opposite direction appeared could have been going to fast…clearly they is little or no room on this lane for cars passing judging on how the first car was almost clipping the bushes to create room for the oncoming car. None of us were there we only have the cam from the cyclist. It clearly shows they had time to stop instead continuing cycling even when they could see an oncoming car which would have meant the galaxy needed to get out the way. It is not great driving but it happens we all get caught out on occasions. The cyclist should have stopped.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1755d

Jayne, this road has never been designed to take as much traffic as it does now.It has become a mine field of pot holes some big enough to wrecks cars suspension.Travelling alone that road and you find yourself behind a cyclists stay behind him or her because they are libel to swerve in or out of their part of the road because some pothole are creators and would have a motorcycle off let alone a cyclist. It’s a case of looking out for one and other on the roads with bad surface’s.I’ve stayed behind a cyclist many times because their travelling at the speed you should be travelling at for the road conditions.Even pedestrians aren’t that safe, as the pavement on the one side has no kerb and is level with the road. Some of argued that the pavement is for pedestrians only, but when it was installed it was a shared surface as it narrowed the road . Now that coaches are being encouraged to use it, the only way they can pass each other is to use the pavement. For many reasons to list, this small access road has become one of the busiest non residential roads in Chiswick.It’s located inside a park ( Dukes Meadows) yet Hounslow Council are building Coach parking and turning circle’s on the small ones that were ment for the old 33 seater coaches, more car parking inviting even more vehicles to use the road.There also traffic which used to use Dan Mason Drive, now using Riverside drive, parking up near the bridge and walking under it to gain access to the rugby club,who opened up a new entrance near the bridge.The idea was to keep that traffic on DMD so closing the bridge as has had a very negative effect on Riverside Drive.So now you have one side of a park that’s becoming dangerous for pedestrians and cyclist.

Bernard Allen ● 1755d

You're still making excuses for the driver Jayne.  The cyclist had very little time to the react which is obvious in the video.  The lane is very narrow which means the vehicle didn't have enough room to pass safely in the first place,  then it cut in suddenly and cuts the cyclist up,  the cyclist had seconds to react. What's happened to Chiswick?  It used to be such a nice place and now it's just so bitter and people lack any empathy.

Nora Watkins ● 1755d

Does anyone here think that the driver should have overtaken the cyclist in the first place? Either the driver couldn’t see the road sufficiently far ahead, which resulted in them pulling in earlier than they had planned, or they could see the oncoming car and misjudged how much time they had, or it was simply bad driving.Of course if the cyclist had braked and stopped the accident wouldn’t have happened but the majority of blame surely has to be on the car driver? And all to save a few seconds…

Andrew Jones ● 1754d

Sorry, I also meant to add that I hope Joseph makes a full and quick recovery.

Andrew Jones ● 1754d

Jayne, having had a second chance to look at the video, I can see you have misjudged just about every aspect of this collision.1. The oncoming car can be seen from the first frame of the video, but the Galaxy driver decided to overtake anyway.2. The car ahead's brake lights were on from the first frame of the video but Joseph didn't close on that car - in fact the distance increased: Joseph was therefore already braking as the Galaxy driver overtook him, very likely anticipating that the Galaxy driver has misjudged their manoeuvre.3. As the Galaxy moved in on him, Joseph made momentary contact with his right palm on the side of the Galaxy, very likely to slap it to signal his presence, and then returned his hand to the handlebars.4. You can then see the Galaxy drawing ahead as it continued to close the gap to the side of the road, while Joseph braked hard to try to avoid what would inevitably be a collision. 5. At this point Joseph was hardly moving forward at all, but the force of the braking to avoid a collision caused him to go over the handlebars, leaving the bike behind him as the following frames show. The fact that Joseph ended up going over the handlebars shows he could not have braked any harder at that point.6. The Galaxy driver continued, despite knowing that they had overtaken and cut off a cyclist, forcing them to brake so hard they ended up going over the handlebars to avoid a collision. Very likely they also heard Joseph slap the side of the car. 7. There was no car immediately behind the Galaxy as the last few frames show, so even a glance in the Galaxy's mirror would have given a clear view of Joseph down: the final frame of the video shows an open view through the rear window of the Galaxy a good distance away from Joseph's position down on the ground.Your view of this: "It clearly shows they had time to stop instead continuing cycling even when they could see an oncoming car which would have meant the galaxy needed to get out the way. It is not great driving but it happens we all get caught out on occasions"Your impaired judgement of this collision suggests you are not the brilliant driver you claim you are. You also owe Joseph an unreserved apology.

Tom Pike ● 1754d

Both witnesses details are now with the Met team, also ANPR details of the Ford Galaxy provided by the excellent CCTV of LBH; as yet the Galaxy driver has not come forward. So I think it's time to draw a line under this and let the Met get on with their work and decide if they pass this onto the CPS. Thank you all for your assistance and good wishes; I continue to improve, but walking with a stick in your left hand is not easy, still 6 weeks to go, so I should be very competent at the end of that, stay lucky all......I am writing to the W4 editor to see if we can close this thread to further contributions , as some of the comments are not helpful to me or my family, and are in fact extremely hurtful and upsetting. In fact anyone who was involved and witnessed the incident should not comment at all, as the Met investigation proceeds. So as interesting as the speculation, interpretation and background conversations are , can we all just leave it there, thanks.

Joseph Forshaw ● 1753d

Good news that you're managed to identify the vehicle through CCTV.  I wish you all the best with your recovery.

Nora Watkins ● 1753d

Good news indeed. So often CCTV isn’t found helpful when you really need it.  This thread will be closed now hopefully because of legalIssues. I don’t think the people who run this site care about peoples feeling 🤷‍♀️

Maggie Dodge ● 1752d

In the past they have remove the posts and left the opening thread titleby the o.p

Janice Evans ● 1752d

And think it would have to be Bernard the o.p to request it.

Janice Evans ● 1752d