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news
Stevenage cycleway underpass where pedestrian was killed (via Google Street View).PNGPedestrian killed and cyclist seriously injured following crash on cycleway in Stevenage
A female pedestrian has died and a male cyclist has been left seriously injured after the pair collided on a cycleway in Stevenage.
The collision happened at around 4.45pm last Friday 13 October, reports the Hertfordshire Mercury.
It took place at an underpass forming part of Stevenage’s cycleway system, running beneath Martin's Way and leading to Durham Road.
The newspaper says that the woman, who was aged in her 70s, was walking through the underpass when the collision with the cyclist happened.
It is unclear whether she was on the cycleway itself, or on the adjacent footway.
She was taken to hospital with multiple injuries but died there on Sunday 15 November.
The cyclist, whose injuries include a broken collarbone and fractured ribs, is still undergoing treatment in hospital..
The crash was not reported to Hertfordshire Constabulary at the time, with the force only finding out about it later on the evening it happened.
Officers are now appealing for anyone who has information, and in particular another cyclist who gave aid to the woman at the scene, to come forward.
PC Carl Callan, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by what happened, at this understandably difficult time.
“We are currently conducting enquiries into the incident and are asking anyone who saw the collision, or events leading up to it, to please get in touch.
“We’re particularly keen to trace another cyclist who is reported to have assisted at the scene. If this was you, please contact us.”
Police can be reached on the non-emergency number 101, quoting ISR 851 of 13 November, and information can also be reported online and by web chat.
Because of their rarity – on average, there are one or two pedestrian fatalities involving cyclists each year – such incidents tend to receive disproportionate media coverage when they do happen. As this incident highlights, collisions between pedestrians and cyclists can often result in the cyclist sustaining serious injuries.
While Stevenage dates back to medieval times and due to its location on the Great North Road became a busy coaching town in the 18th Century, most of it was developed after World War 2 following its designation as England’s first new town.
Separating bicycles from motor traffic was a key feature of the designs drawn up in the 1950s and 1960s, and today Stevenage benefits from an extensive network of off-road cycleways – although as author and journalist Carlton Reid explains in this 2017 article in The Guardian, they were ignored by most residents with the car rising to dominance.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
Latest Comments
- chrisonabike 30 min 52 sec ago
Something Something Brexit... ? (sorry) Anyway I think they should try calling them "loveable neighbourhoods".
- Flintshire Boy 1 hour 39 min ago
[Sorry - wrote mine before saw yours! You make the point much better than I.] .
- grOg 4 hours 19 min ago
Where does it state in the article that Ashley purchased the stock? it does state that Ashley bought the brand and intellectual property, not the...
- rogerwb 7 hours 8 sec ago
Jump off the bike and run across. I cycle in trainers though.
- momove 8 hours 3 min ago
Cheers for the lesson! Wasn't expecting one so was pleasantly surprised, especially getting to find the origin of "laconic"!
- ktache 8 hours 50 min ago
Isn't it a rights issue?
- Daddy Feebs 9 hours 53 min ago
If anything, it looks a bit like an SL6
- wtjs 10 hours 29 min ago
Other commenters have different views True!
- Daclu Trelub 10 hours 44 min ago
Incredibly bone-headed.
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51 comments
I agree.
I feel great sympathy for the pain the lady must have gone through and the feelings of her family and friends.
Whilst I can agree with your sentiment, does it ever stop the gammons blaming the dead cyclist? Maybe we should be better than them, but TBH, I'm fed up with being humble.
There's nothing humble in being better. And we're not sticking it to the gammons by using this particular story as a springboard.
Hey burt, a little reading comprehension goes a long way. It wasn't the cyclist that died. It was a 70 something lady out for a walk. I ride nearly everyday for one reason or the other, so don't take this as bashing cyclists. I see people on bikes, not cyclists, do stupid shite all the time. Pisses me off. Maybe the bike rider was checking his phone, or fantasizing being a pro, and riding too fast for the conditions. Had to be moving pretty fast to hit a near stationary human and sustain a broken collarbone and fractured ribs. Maybe we'll find out. Yes, pedestrians do stupid stuff all the time too, but I really doubt the 70s woman was checking her F Book likes on a device with earbuds in. If your paying attention and riding for the environment it's not difficult to avoid a slow moving pedestrian. I also doubt she was out jogging and ran in his way. Maybe I'm wrong. Hopefully some lessons learned
I guess that's why the police are calling for witnesses.
We don't know if she was just walkibg on the footway, or was walking on the cycleway (it happens, as we all know), or if she was crossing the cycleway.
We don't know where the cyclist was, or how fast they were riding.
A definite case of let's wait and see, with hopefully a side order of the truth will out.
(And yes, I also know that if we replace cyclist with motorist then this case would probably be dealt with very differently).
Agreed. To be honest, I'm surprised comments weren't closed on this article.
Absolutely
And yet one hour after making this comment you were agreeing with our resident troll, on this same thread, that this must have been the cyclist's fault. Hypocrite much?
Yes, you're right. I knew when to shut up and didn't. Not my finest hour....
Agree - very sad.
I grew up in stevenage and the cycle paths are pretty good, with clearly segregated paths for bikes and pedestrians. However, many of the underpasses under main roads are at 90 degrees, so you can sweep into them maintaining a lot of speed. Add a pedestrian crossing at that point and....
Very sad. Underpasses can suffer from poor visibility. Lots of em in Daventry too. They often have hairpin bends on ramps, and the change in light scared the crap out of be the first time I went through one on a bright day. Instant blackout!
Oh the irony of it, a cyclist saying the sun was in his eyes and he couldn't see!
Physician, heal thyself.
Luke 4:23.
You are Socraticyclist and ICMFP.
I think the problem was the lack of sun not the overabundance.
Perhaps blinded by the sudden darkness in the underpass, and perhaps lack of high-vis, lights and safety helmets.
I avoid underpasses in Daventry for the precise reason you've mentioned, some of them are so badly lit. Also, I know plenty of road cyclists who have sustained punctures after cycling through one.
Deepest condolences to the family of the deceased
Cue Daily Mail outrage in 3...2...1...
No doubt they'll be asking if the pedestrian was wearing high vis like they do on many car vs bicycle arguments...... right? 🙄
and a helmet.
"LOCALS OUTRAGED AS LYCRA LOUT KILLS PENSIONER"
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