Woman killed in cycling accident
July 8th, 2013
A woman died in a cycling accident in Whitechapel High Street in east London on Friday. Transport for London (TfL) said it is the first fatality involving one of the hire bikes, known as Boris Bikes after being launched by London Mayor Boris Johnson in 2010.
It is not known if the woman was wearing a helmet. Mr Johnson has resisted calls to provide helmets with the bikes, saying there is mixed evidence that they provide protection in many accidents.
A woman died in a cycling accident in Whitechapel High Street in east London on Friday. Transport for London (TfL) said it is the first fatality involving one of the hire bikes, known as Boris Bikes after being launched by London Mayor Boris Johnson in 2010.
It is not known if the woman was wearing a helmet. Mr Johnson has resisted calls to provide helmets with the bikes, saying there is mixed evidence that they provide protection in many accidents.TfL’s managing director of surface transport, said: “Our thoughts go out to the friends and family of the female cyclist who tragically died … following a collision with a heavy goods vehicle on Whitechapel High Street.
“We understand she was riding a Barclays Cycle Hire bike. “TfL has a range of measures already under way to further reduce the number of collisions involving cyclists across London and we will be assisting the Metropolitan Police with their investigation into this tragic incident.”
The Barclays cycle routes run from outer London to the centre and are designed to provide “safer, faster and more direct journeys into the city”, according to TfL.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said traffic officers are appealing for witnesses to the collision which occurred just before 6.20pm.
The HGV driver, who stopped at the scene, was not arrested. Officers from the road death investigation unit are investigating the circumstances of the collision.
If you have been involved in a Cycling accident that wasn’t your fault you could be entitled to compensation. Contact our team today on 01625 506655.