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news
Cyclists in Richmond Park with London skyline (copyright Simon MacMichael)“If we want to promote cycling, we have got to be responsible”: Cyclist calls for hit-and-run “MAMIL” to be “named and shamed” following head-on collision which left him unconscious
A cyclist who was left unconscious following a head-on collision with a hit-and-run rider in Richmond Park has appealed to the man to turn himself in, describing his decision to flee the scene as “particularly disappointing because we cyclists are a sociable tribe”.
Adam Kelliher was treated in hospital for concussion, a cracked rib, and cuts to his hands after being struck by the cyclist while riding with a friend in the southwest London park on Bank Holiday Monday.
Following the incident, Kelliher’s wife Cathra also called for the rider to be “named and shamed” and argued that people on bikes “have got to be responsible” if cycling is to be promoted to a wider audience.
> Machete-wielding bikejacker who attacked pro cyclist in Richmond Park sentenced to 12 months
The 61-year-old cyclist, a life science entrepreneur and former BBC cameraman who also owns Taransay, the UK’s largest island without a permanent population and the setting for BBC reality series Castaway, said the rider appeared to be distracted by his bike computer and had crossed over to the wrong side of the three-metre-wide path when the collision occurred.
“He seemed to me to be a normal MAMIL,” Kelliher, who says he only remembers “glimpses” of the incident, told the Times.
“He seemed to be concentrating on his timing and keeping up his speed. He hit me head-on. I am quite a big guy and I was knocked off my bike and on to my back. My helmet was smashed like an egg.”
> Cyclists blast proposals to introduce 10mph speed limit on Richmond Park hill
The stricken cyclist, who was left unconscious in the crash, was helped by neighbour and riding partner Philip Weston and several passers-by, including three members of the emergency services.
“Philip was busy helping me and when he looked up the other rider had gone,” the father-of-four said.
“It is particularly disappointing that he fled because we cyclists are a sociable tribe. All he would have seen is that someone was pretty seriously injured. He made a second error of judgment by fleeing the scene.
“The paramedics said if I wasn’t wearing a helmet I would have been taken away in a helicopter or probably a hearse.”
> Cyclists in Richmond Park face crackdown for ‘speeding’ – even though limits do not apply to them
Kelliher’s wife Cathra also called for the hit-and-run rider, described as white and wearing black and white cycling kit, to be “named and shamed” following his actions in Richmond Park.
“If we want to promote cycling and this wonderful sport, we have got to be responsible,” she said.
“The danger is from a few irresponsible people and they have to be aware of their consequences. This guy should be named and shamed because next time it could be somebody like a five-year-old child and they might not survive.”
As well as owning Taransay, the Wimbledon-based Kellihers also own the Borve Lodge Estate on the Isle of Harris. After joining the BBC from the Times, where he worked as a foreign correspondent, Kelliher was shot in an ambush in Croatia in 1995, which saw reporter John Schofield killed.
> Cyclist breaks pelvis in Richmond Park crash with off-lead dog
Monday’s collision comes less than a year since The Royal Parks – which manages several parks in the capital, including Hyde Park, Green Park, and St James’s Park – warned bike riders who do not observe speed limits in the parks under its management that they will be subjected to a crackdown, including fines and even prosecution, for recklessly endangering others.
Despite cyclists technically not having to adhere to speed limits on roads in the park, as bicycles are not required by law to be fitted with a speedometer, the agency said in August 2022 that they were nevertheless expected to observe those limits on the “park, road, or path in question,” and could be fined if they were believed to “intentionally or recklessly interfere with the safety, comfort, or convenience of other visitors”.
In April, we reported that plans to introduce a 10mph speed limit on a section of Richmond Park were criticised by local cyclists, who argued that people on bikes will be unable to comply with the proposed restriction while riding downhill.
According to the Richmond Parks Cyclists organisation, which aims to represent all types of cyclists and para-cyclists who use the London park, a meeting of the Safer Parks Police Panel revealed that The Royal Parks is intending to introduce a 10mph speed restriction on the road between Broomfield Hill car park and Robin Hood Gate roundabout.
The cyclists’ group, which said it was not consulted on the new measure, criticised the change, set to be implemented on a sweeping, hilly section of the park which currently features a 20mph limit.
“It seems unlikely that many cyclists will be able to comply with this restriction descending the hill, even if they try to,” Richmond Parks Cyclist said. “Speed differentials are likely to increase and the road is likely to become more hazardous.”
After obtaining a PhD, lecturing, and hosting a history podcast at Queen’s University Belfast, Ryan joined road.cc in December 2021 and since then has kept the site’s readers and listeners informed and enthralled (well at least occasionally) on news, the live blog, and the road.cc Podcast. After boarding a wrong bus at the world championships and ruining a good pair of jeans at the cyclocross, he now serves as road.cc’s senior news writer. Before his foray into cycling journalism, he wallowed in the equally pitiless world of academia, where he wrote a book about Victorian politics and droned on about cycling and bikes to classes of bored students (while taking every chance he could get to talk about cycling in print or on the radio). He can be found riding his bike very slowly around the narrow, scenic country lanes of Co. Down.
Latest Comments
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As an Irish person, I am embarrassed for this guy and the judge. He is clearly a thug, so do not get where he takes pride in wearing the country...
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39 comments
It's almost like the original article was written with the sole purpose to be picked up by road cc, there's that many cliches referenced to get everyone's backs up.
I cannot stress enough how much I disagree with this idea (irrespective of my view that this other cyclist sounds dangerous and irresponsible, and whilst I wish Mr Kelliher a speedy recovery)
Why am I part of the same tribe as this cyclist? Why should I be tarred by their cycling? It's just a totally insane idea. Don't you DARE say all cyclists are responsible for each other's behaviour.
When I'm in my car, I'm not repsonsible for anyone else's driving. And no one is calling for a halt to road-building and other things until all drivers are responsible. Or a halt to rail and train projects until people stop putting their feet up on the train seats.
"Don't you DARE say all cyclists are responsible for each other's behaviour"
Not sure that is what they are suggesting, but rather cyclists share a common camaraderie. Alas I think that ideology evaporated over the last 20 years as I see very little sign of that amongst 'fellow' cyclists on my rides. Often my waves, nods or good mornings are ignored. The older riders are usually more sociable but it seems those that have joined since cycling became socially desirable don't have that sense of camaraderie and are more likely to have a drivers mindset.
I think it's a natural consequence of cycling becoming more mainstream.
As a percentage you'll have less 'enthusiasts' and more 'casuals' and so the camaraderie from being a minority with a shared interest will become less prevalent.
So I guess you can be glad that you got to experience this sadly dying culture and also glad our descendants might not have to.
OTOH I think this culture may return. If we manage to change much at all I suspect roadies / long distance / tour riders will still exist and still be a niche group. And will once again be easily distinguished by their bikes and apparel.
Once many current drivers are making more journeys on two (three?) wheels most people will be on "practical bikes" (possibly ebikes by then). You see less of this kind of bike design in the UK since it isn't as well-suited for "running with the bulls" - or rather "racing with the cars". Nor is it ideal for those who enjoy the cyclocross challenge of "getting from A to B" on a bike in many parts of the UK ("fast" road, muddy path, glass-filled subway, some stairs...) They're also currently harder to find / more expensive new so instead of cheap single-speed roadsters we see "bike-shaped-objects".
"Often my waves, nods or good mornings are ignored."
I think there's a bit of difference between that and leaving the scene of an accident that's left someone badly injured.
I acknowledge people, when I notice them and it's safe, if out somewhere remote. I pass probably hundreds of people while commuting though, I'm not waving at all of them. It's not a secret club anyway, just people going about their days who happen to be on bikes.
Totally agree.
I wouldn't mind so much about people putting bare feet on train seats, but it's their shoes that have dirt and shit on them that's the problem. If you really want to put your feet up, then take your shoes off first (some other passengers may not agree though).
I'll always find a newspaper to put my feet on if I really need to stretch out and there are plenty of spare seats available, some people…on a train at Faringdon recently a well-dressed young city gent got on, looked at the seat and tutted in disgust, spread out a copy of the Metro, sat down on it and promptly put his expensive brogues up on the opposite seat. I really must stop leaving the house without a blunderbuss loaded with horse manure at my side…
You haven't seen my feet. socks I could live with but I would not want either sweaty feet or muddy boots.
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