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Pedestrian killed and cyclist seriously injured following crash on cycleway in Stevenage

Fatal collision happened in underpass; police appeal for second cyclist who stopped to help to come forward

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.

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51 comments

Avatar
ktache replied to Captain Badger | 3 years ago
5 likes

I agree.

I feel great sympathy for the pain the lady must have gone through and the feelings of her family and friends.

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to Captain Badger | 3 years ago
4 likes

Captain Badger wrote:

Much as I am usually the first with a sarcastic comment, one person has died, their family suffering a terrible loss, and another is seriously injured. It is perfectly possible that there will be a criminal investigation into the death. I think this is one where we can stop our chatter.

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.

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
3 likes
eburtthebike wrote:

Captain Badger wrote:

Much as I am usually the first with a sarcastic comment, one person has died, their family suffering a terrible loss, and another is seriously injured. It is perfectly possible that there will be a criminal investigation into the death. I think this is one where we can stop our chatter.

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.

Avatar
RoadYeti replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
8 likes

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

Avatar
brooksby replied to RoadYeti | 3 years ago
5 likes

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).

Avatar
Steve K replied to Captain Badger | 3 years ago
7 likes
Captain Badger wrote:

Much as I am usually the first with a sarcastic comment, one person has died, their family suffering a terrible loss, and another is seriously injured. It is perfectly possible that there will be a criminal investigation into the death. I think this is one where we can stop our chatter.

Agreed. To be honest, I'm surprised comments weren't closed on this article.

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to Steve K | 3 years ago
2 likes

Steve K wrote:

....

Agreed. To be honest, I'm surprised comments weren't closed on this article.

Absolutely

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to Captain Badger | 3 years ago
2 likes

Captain Badger wrote:

Much as I am usually the first with a sarcastic comment, one person has died, their family suffering a terrible loss, and another is seriously injured. It is perfectly possible that there will be a criminal investigation into the death. I think this is one where we can stop our chatter.

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?

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to Rendel Harris | 3 years ago
3 likes

Rendel Harris wrote:

Captain Badger wrote:

Much as I am usually the first with a sarcastic comment, one person has died, their family suffering a terrible loss, and another is seriously injured. It is perfectly possible that there will be a criminal investigation into the death. I think this is one where we can stop our chatter.

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....

Avatar
orangecannonim | 3 years ago
1 like

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....

Avatar
manonbike | 3 years ago
4 likes

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!

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Capt Sisko replied to manonbike | 3 years ago
1 like

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.

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to Capt Sisko | 3 years ago
4 likes

Capt Sisko wrote:

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.

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Hirsute replied to Capt Sisko | 3 years ago
1 like

I think the problem was the lack of sun not the overabundance.

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Projectcyclingf... replied to Hirsute | 3 years ago
0 likes
hirsute wrote:

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.

Avatar
jigr69 replied to manonbike | 3 years ago
2 likes

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.

Avatar
Captain Badger | 3 years ago
10 likes

Deepest condolences to the family of the deceased

Avatar
Jenova20 | 3 years ago
8 likes

Cue Daily Mail outrage in 3...2...1...

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JWK replied to Jenova20 | 3 years ago
9 likes

No doubt they'll be asking if the pedestrian was wearing high vis like they do on many car vs bicycle arguments...... right? 🙄

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to JWK | 3 years ago
6 likes

JWK wrote:

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.

Avatar
Jenova20 replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
1 like

eburtthebike wrote:

JWK wrote:

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.

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