Shocking moment child is HIT head-on by cyclist sending youngster flying – before ‘rude’ rider makes insulting excuse
SHOCKING footage shows the moment a child was sent flying after being hit head-on by a cyclist.
The horror incident happened last month while the child was attempting to cross a cycle lane to reach a bus stop in Elephant and Castle, south London.
Video shows the cyclist appearing to try and stop his bike but he ended up careering straight into the youngster.
Both the rider and the child were sent tumbling to the floor as shocked bystanders watched on.
The road design in this location means that the bus stop is “floating” between the road and the cycle lane – it leaves pedestrians with no choice but to dodge cyclists while getting on or off their bus.
One bystander was then left speechless as she recalled what the cyclist allegedly said after knocking down the little boy.
Sarah Gayton, Street Access Campaign Coordinator at the National Federation of the Blind of the UK (NFBUK), claimed: “I had only been there about an hour or so when this happened.
“And what was so shocking was that the cyclist got off and said, ‘Is he deaf? I rang the bell.’
“As if that excuses it!
“That poor little lad could have really hurt himself.”
Campaigners have called for these so-called “floating bus stops” to be scrapped – insisting they pose a danger to pedestrians, particularly those who are blind or visually impaired.
Ms Gayton continued: “Surely that just shows that people need to be aware of those who may be blind and deaf – and may not notice bikes coming?
“The whole layout is not safe. It’s dangerous and yet there are similar ones all over London.
“The design shows no consideration at all for blind and visually impaired people. It’s discrimination.
“These floating bus stops need to be scrapped.”
Ms Gayton shared the video on NFBUK’s X account, formerly Twitter, prompting a significant response.
The footage also shows several near misses – with pedestrians narrowly escaping being hit by bikes – as well as moments where cyclists zoom down the lane far too quickly.
Ms Gayton said she witnessed another collision that afternoon – and one more a couple days later.
“How many more are happening that are not being recorder?” She said.
Social media users also shared Ms Gayton’s concerns around these sorts of cycle lanes.
One commented: “Having a bike lane in the middle of a pedestrian path is one of the nuttiest ideas that I’ve seen. It’s like this in Leith walk, Edinburgh.”
Another added: “In whose mind is a bike lane in the middle of a very busy pedestrian area and pavement a good idea? Absolute madness.”
And a third said: “Quite possibly one of the stupidest designs I have ever seen. Yet they continue to be rolled out.”
Ms Gayton and the rest of the team at NFBUK say all passengers should have direct access to the pavement when alighting from a bus.
They are urging councils to prevent the construction of any more “floating bus stops”.
NFBUK has also asked for all bus stops which currently accommodate cycle lanes to be “changed back to ensure direct access to and from the bus stop for all bus passengers.”
UK bicycle laws explained
CYCLING is a healthy and environmentally-friendly way of getting from A to B, but that doesn't mean riders are entitled to do whatever they please.
Cycling on the pavement is illegal in the UK, except in specific circumstances — for example, when there are dedicated cycle lanes on them.
Rule 64 in the Highway Code states that cyclists must not cycle on pavements.
Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835 also prohibits “wilfully riding” on footpaths, which includes pavements.
While police may exercise discretion when enforcing this rule, cycling on the pavement is still an offence.
Even in cases where cyclists feel unsafe while riding on the road, there is no provision for cycling on the pavement.
Cyclists may only ride on the pavement when there are dedicated cycle lanes situated on them, which are clearly indicated by lines and symbols.
Rule 62 in the Highway Code provides further guidance for how to behave when bike lanes are positioned alongside footpaths and pavements.
When a pavement is shared with pedestrians, cyclists must keep to the side marked for them.
If there are no separate markings, the cyclist should “take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room”.
Cyclists should also be prepared to stop or slow down if necessary in order to pass pedestrians.
What to do if there are no cycle lanes
When there is no cycle lane, there are two basic road positions cyclists should adopt, as Rule 72 in the Highway Code explains:
1) Ride in the centre of your lane, to make yourself as clearly visible as possible, in the following situations:
- On quiet roads or streets – if a faster vehicle comes up behind you, move to the left to enable them to overtake, if you can do so safely
- In slower-moving traffic — when the traffic around you starts to flow more freely, move over to the left if you can do so safely so that faster vehicles behind you can overtake
- At the approach to junctions or road narrowings where it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake you
2) When riding on busy roads, with vehicles moving faster than you, allow them to overtake where it is safe to do so whilst keeping at least 0.5 metres away, and further where it is safer, from the kerb edge. Remember that traffic on most dual carriageways moves quickly. Take extra care crossing slip roads.
Rule 73 in the code states you should use special cycle facilities at junctions, such as “small cycle traffic lights at eye-level height, which may allow you to move or cross separately from or ahead of other traffic”.