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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Our Sunday morning group ride was taken by surprise once by a paramedic car. It squeezed past us because an oncoming car timed its braking poorly so was level with us when the ambulance passed. We were riding 2x4 at pace on a straight quietish wide road but due to wind noise hadn't heard cars approaching from the rear. A quick blast of the 'twos' from a distance back would've at least let us prepare. The last man normally shoulder checks regularly but can only assume the paramedic was doing more than 60mph.
On the incident in question, none of us know the details so we can only guess what happened.
Something has gone seriously wrong when emergency response vehicles collide with members of the public... Police are supposed to protect the public, not injure them.
WTAF ?
IOPC are pretty useless, one hopes that the investifation is full and proper unlike far too many.
Last week I was passed by an ambulance doing around 50% over the limit at best guess (so circa 60), I'd heard it initially but couldn't see it (shoulder check left), then it went quiet so assumed it had gone a different direction so carried in as normal, it was a very wide single carriageway no exits. If I can see one coming my way and I feel it's prudent to pull to the side, I'll do so, there's less chance of conflict/more space and gives them confidence that I've seen/acknowledged them.
It came past at speed but tons of room, just lights, thought that wasn't too bad a way to do it because sometimes people react in a not so good way when they hear a siren right on them and as the road/traffic density allowed them to come past with around 2.5m there was no need to have the sirens blasting. This IMHO also takes into account that some people are stone deaf.
I think our emergency svs drivers particularly ambo and firefighter are excellent, there are some exceptions as always.
Wishing a full recovery to the cyclist and I hope the police driver is okay too (those emergency drivers tend to be very good at what they do).