cyclist killed in bus collision

. | 26.05.2004 23:21 | Oxford

A cyclist was killed by a collision with a bus on Cowley Road, Oxford, today.

A woman died today after being hit by a bus while out cycling this afternoon. Details of exactly how it happened are sketchy at this point (perhaps if somebody knows more they can post it as a comment).

She was a first year student at catz (St Catherine's college). Grieving friends have turned a small area of the quad into a sea of candles, laid flowers and messages and are gathered there tonight.

BBC Oxford report:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/3751729.stm

Comments

Hide the following 16 comments

hrytry

27.05.2004 07:19

Just wondering exactly how many cyclists and pedestrians are taken out bu buses in Oxford every year and how it compares to the national average, its seems to be a growing phenomena here
really sad news........

jgyg

My condolences

27.05.2004 08:38

My condolences for the cyclist and fellow student. I cycle up Cowley everyday and it is an obstacle course!!!!

asha

vulnerable cyclists & how to protect/encourage them

27.05.2004 11:48

peddle empowerment, redressing the pro-car imbalance
---
not sure if this is the case, but had heard that in Holland, it doesn't matter what the circumstances are, when there is a collision between a bicycle and a motorised vehicle it's always the vehicle that is held accountable...

mm (reposted as comment instead of article)

CYCLISTS 20 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE KILLED BY CARS + LORRIES THAN BY BUSES

27.05.2004 13:46

It was very sad to hear about this accident.

In terms of the relative danger of buses to those of us who cycle, its worth remembering, however, that cyclists are 20 times more likely to be killed and nearly 50 times more likely to be seriously injured by a car, van or lorry than they are by a bus or coach.

(see: www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/)

It also seems that the increased use of speed restrictions in towns and cities has been responsible, in part, for a reduction in fatalities and serious injuries to cyclists in the last few years.

More speed restrictions, fewer cars and greater use of buses will lead to a safer environment for cyclists.

Geoff

Geoff

London Buses - law unto themselves

27.05.2004 16:07

I have lost count at the many times buses have nearly taken me out whilst cycling to and from work. If they are not riding on my tail - 3 feet behind my back wheel, then they are overtaking me and cutting in front and then stopping! Then they pull out with out even bothering to check there mirrors - many a time I have swerved into the middle of the road because a driver as not checked those mirrors. You write in to complain and they say it will be investigated. Its a crying shame that until their training is looked at and some sort of responsibilty is taken then unfort others will die.

tribute to Emilie

27.05.2004 16:31

Emilie was a beautiful individual in every sense of the word, who brought happiness and laughter to the lives of all those she touched. She loved and was loved by all those who knew her at Catz and whenever around her you couldn't help but smile. She lived her life to the full and her kindness and compassion towards others is something that shall never be forgotten.

It is said that you can judge someone by their friends and to be judged on the virtues of someone such as Emilie would truly be a magnificent thing. I shall forever look back with joy at the precious moments and privileged memories this exceptional individual has given me.

M.B.

critical mass?

27.05.2004 16:49

I can't remember in which North American town, but when a cyclist is killed, many people know to converge for a Critical Mass, all wearing black, in rememberance of the person killed, and as a reminder of the vulnerability and power of cyclists (or something).

Let's start it here!

Respect, nun

nun

and in london this month too...

27.05.2004 18:11

see

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3751741.stm - cyclist in London killed by vehicle (& bad cycle lanes)

cyclist

Join Cyclox - the Cycling Campaign for Oxford

31.05.2004 09:45

Cyclox

http://www.cyclox.org/ is the Cycling Campaign for Oxford, come to the next meeting which is on Wednesday June 2nd at 7pm, East Oxford Community Centre.

Jon Rees

A tragedy

01.06.2004 16:56

This is a tragedy of course, but does anybody really believe the dead girl will read these notes ?

Seton

eh? wtf?

02.06.2004 02:04

No, of course not. Who said we did?

confused

Messages for whom ?

02.06.2004 11:04

I refer to the “sea of messages” and to similar notes placed at the site of the death.
What exactly is the point of them ?
The visible ones, some quite long, are very clearly addressed to the deceased, whereas some are actually folded and could not be read by the public. So it does look as though somebody expects the unfortunate girl’s ghost to contrive to read them. I was not, of course, referring to these computer comments as “notes”.

Seton

oh I see

02.06.2004 12:13

Well I suppose it's just part of the healing process... to be able to express all the goodbyes you never got to say. IMHO it's more of an outlet for the living than a message to the dead... and there's nothing really wrong with that.

note to seton

12.06.2004 15:18

notes help people come to terms with the deaths of loved ones, so even tho they are closed notes they still help. just because it wouldnt be ur choosen way of dealing with death doesnt mean it isnt for everyone!
my cousin was loved by everyone and thats the sort of sweet thing she'd do (write notes like that) because she would understand the meaning of them.
try imagining how you'd feel, and how u'd wish u had said things to that person before they died, then realising u couldnt. by writing notes its a way for u to say them even if u dont believe the deciesed would read them.

anon

On the other Hand

25.07.2004 10:03

It's all very well, in incidents like these, to talk about the terrible driving of the buses or cars around here, and I agree that sometimes they can be very reckless.
But something that is less often considered, because they are the underdog, is the quality of road-handling of the cyclists themselves.
I have driven through Oxford, through that same area, many many times, and the amount of cyclists who cycle past you on the outside lane of the roundabout, then cut you up as you try to turn into Cowley, or the number of cyclists who treat unmarked roads as having cycle lanes, expecting you to constantly scan for them in your mirrors as they overtake near junctions, when traffic slows, is astonishing.
I have had a few near misses, which have not been my fault, but caused by an agressive attiitude that the driver should be responsible for the situation, and the cyclist can just weave in and out, free of rules or responsibility. And when I've screeched to a halt, they look at me with the sort disgust with which you might regard a speeding, reckless driver. It's my fault, because I'm driving the dangerous vehicle.
That is not a socially responsible attitude to take.
This needs to be adressed because it is a cause not just of accidents, but of the kind of contempt that causes some drivers to just ignore them altogether and drive however they feel, with reckless disregard.

Cedric Von Reuters