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You hear about these tragic events, but they're just stories they're not real. As shocking as they are they don't touch you not on a truly personal level. Then one day you hear one of these stories and it doesn't come from a mouth of a reporter it comes from the lips of someone you know.
And the stranger who's met their death is no longer abstract, they're real, in this case they're the brother of a very good friend.
I heard about this on Tuesday and its left me cold since. Every time I think about it I feel numb, useless and close to tears. It's not like I knew him that well or at all if I'm being honest, but I knew his sister and I can taste her pain. It's 'just' another senseless death, someone in a metal box didn't want to wait or they thought it would be Ok. He was just cycling to work, wearing his hi vis vest and helmet, riding along as he did everyday.
The driver clipped him with his wing mirror which sent him into the path of another vehicle. He died at the scene. Just like that - gone.
Why?
It's horrible, we can sign all the petitions we want or send letters to our ineffectual self serving politicians but it doesn't make a difference, our champions get hurt, our fellow riders get killed. Just because some selfish person in a metal box refuses to show a little patience to a fellow road user.
It's true as [url= http://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/an-open-letter-to-the-british-judicial-system-by-stewart-pratt/ ]Stuart[/url] put it 'they fail us' on every single level.
Not sure what to say but I thought someone should say something.
I've written and deleted three posts already...
My sincere condolences to you, your friend, the bloke's nearest and dearest and to everyone who's Christmas isn't joyous because someone is missing, someone taken too soon.
I don't know what the answer is, I don't even know if there is an answer.
If its the unfortunate chap in Southampton your on about, I understand.
A road I drive all the time, wide enough, long enough ect.
I did not know him, or his family, but passing their today on route to make my family happy, I thought of his family and the pain they must be going through.
My thoughts are with those who knew him.
Sorry to hear about the senseless loss. The difference between abstract loss and real loss is very stark and hits you in a way that is very difficult to prepare yourself for. I don't think that there is really anything that i can say that will ease the pain but make sure you look after yourself and if you feel up to it try and be there for your friend(s) that also knew him.
Going through the grief together can help, don't try and tough it out on your own. Talk to people, even if it's just to the randoms on here.
My deepest sympathy to those affected by this tragic and senseless loss particularly at this time of year.
I can echo muppetWrangler, talk to people, there are even charities if you want to be anonymous that you can call and take care of you as well.
It was the accident in Southampton. The man who died was one of a triplet, his sister, my friend has lost someone who was so unbelievably close to her.
It's just all terribly sad and that's compounded by the fact it's so near Christmas.
I'm upset for the family but I'm also angry as it could have been so easily avoided. I just think the drivers involved will get away it receiving a paltry fine, as with most of these cases.
Such a tragic waste, and hitting home as I have cycled that road frequently.
The last cyclist death locally, earlier this year, when a car jumped a crossroads and hit a cyclist (a member of Southampton Cycling Campaign so an experienced cyclist too) received a 12-month driving ban, a community order to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months and must also pay £85 costs.
As a driver and a cyclist, I would certainly welcome far tougher penalties just to make people think twice and save another family from this terrible tragedy.
RIP...
Sorry. Not very good with words.
I've also tried typing a response and deleted it numerous times already, nothing seems to convey properly so all I'm going to say is:
I'm sorry to hear about this, my heart goes out to you, and best wishes to all who have been touched by this terribly sad and needless death.
So so sad
As Stewart Pratt might say
Careless no! Dangerous yes, I sincerely hope justice is done and the "sun in my eye's" isn't wheeled out as the excuse and they're not let off lightly. Drivers are licensed and have a responsibility to take due care and pay attention to other road users. Hitting a cyclist and possibly driving to close to have a chance to react and then to run over them is not doing either of those.
I've heard a form of the following in person from many (some of which are cyclists) and read in so many comments on the local rags website
includingHe shouldn't have been there. He should have been...
cyclists puting their life and others in danger by riding all over the road.Maybe they should say that when there is a cycle route along a certain route then cyclists are banned from the road?
Far to many people just seem to think this was his own fault and he brought it on himself 🙁
attitudes from the public\motorists about cyclist really really needs to change and driving standards need improving with cyclist awareness campaigns. When will the judicial system and government start taking this seriously and put some real weight behind helping out in some meaningful way.
my thoughts go to his family and friends.
Tragic news. One too many.
This has pushed me into writing to my MP and copying him to the link you wrote.
RIP
So very sad, but so often it happens,what we need is proper and enforced laws
Knock a cyclist off, and he requires in patient hospital treatment, vehicle seized and motoriost gets an imnstant ban for 3 months.
Kill a cyclist and the instant ban but for life, and vehicle crushed.
Vehicles are crushed for not having road tax at a few hundred quid a year, so why not crush dangerous drivers vehicles.
After a few , theyll get the idea.