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A cyclist seriously injured in a left-turn collision with a HGV has called for Boris Bikes to carry sensors that alert a driver to the presence of riders.
Dan Lindberg, a male model by trade, suffered a crushed hip and pelvis, 14 broken ribs, a broken collar bone and internal bleeding as a result of the crash at Grays Inn last year. The resulting scars have had a heavy impact on the 25 year old’s career and as such he is now calling for the adoption of an alert system to be fitted to HGVs and Boris Bikes to prevent others suffering the way he has. Mr Lindberg, who was airlifted by London’s Air Ambulance, spent two months in hospital following life saving surgery.
One such system is Cycle Alert, an audible warning that sounds in the driver’s cab when a cyclist is within 2.5 metres. The firm has offered to fit them for free to all 10,000 hire bikes.
Mr Lindberg said: “Boris bikes should come with warning signs, like those found on cigarettes.
"I think the mentality on the roads is very aggressive. Both cyclists and drivers need to change their attitude towards each other. There needs to be a mutual understanding on the road.
“Cycle Alert would have saved my accident from happening. Most accidents like mine are due to a lorry turning left. The way I see it is this product might save other lives.
“I think people need to understand the impact of these accidents. I was awake during the entire thing. For some reason my brain doesn’t have the capacity for blacking out. I remember every single bone in my body breaking, and the aftermath. I was still awake when the helicopter was flying over me. Then they put me in a coma.
“Nearly 16 months on, I’m still in recovery. You really need to put so much effort into healing yourself.”
TfL are now believed to be trialling a ‘Cycle Eye’ camera system on its buses.
