Cyclist hit on Harold's Cross Road, Dublin

Howitzer

Just heard on newstalk that a cyclist was hit on the Harold's Cross road this morning. A truck was invloved.
Sounded serious and the cyclist is in a bad way.
My thoughts and prayers are now with that cyclist.

beans

Times wrote:

A man has been killed in a crash in Dublin this morning.
The male cyclist, believed to be in his 30s, died on Harold's Cross Road after a collision with a cement truck. No one else was injured in the crash, which happened at about 10.30am.
The road is shut in both directions from Leonard's Corner to the bridge over the canal.
Gardaí are at the scene and are diverting outbound traffic via the South Circular Road. AA Roadwatch is advising inbound traffic to turn around and divert through Leinster Road and Rathmines.
According to AA Roadwatch, access has been blocked from from Lower Kimmage Road onto Harold's Cross Rod, and traffic is therefore busy on Kenilworth Road inbound.
Traffic along the canal is moving in both directions.

RIP

BeerNut

RIP.

That's my commute, and now I'm desperately trying to figure out how it happened. The scrambled geography in the report doesn't help: from Leonard's Corner to the bridge is Clanbrassil Street, not Harold's Cross Road. The narrowing of the roadway on the north side of the bridge is lethal, what with the wall on either side and a cycle track painted over half a car lane which makes users of both think they own it.

penfold83

My thoughts are with the cyclists family....

That's my commute also. Really really scary stuff.

ollaetta

I also cycle that route daily. Every cyclists worst nightmare. R.I.P.

Howitzer

BeerNut wrote: »

RIP.

The narrowing of the roadway on the north side of the bridge is lethal, what with the wall on either side and a cycle track painted over half a car lane which makes users of both think they own it.

My commute also - turning left onto Harolds X rd.
That narrowing is ridiculous. It's 'blind' caused by the bridge.
Add an illegally parked car in front of those shops there and it's a nightmare.
Such sad news for his family.

buffalo

It's on my commute as well, and I've had a few near-misses there with SUVs in particular not noticing me on their inside.

edit: Just realised it was the south side of the bridge, outside the bike shop.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Can't be easy on the truck driver either.

buffalo

Talking to a guy in work, he passed by five minutes afterwards.

"By the time I left there were 2 fire-engines on the scene, 1 ambulance, 4 squad cars (about 8 gardai), 2 motorbike cops, and another squad car racing in that direction from Christchurch side. The bicycle was destroyed. The front wheel was mangled but the back one was in pieces. Also, either the handlebars was broken or they were flattened and lying against the frame. It must have been driven over. It was the southside of the bridge, on the right hand side (as you head into town), just outside the travel agents and bike shop there. The bicycle was lying in the middle of that side of the road."

Very sad to hear.

Bunnyhopper

My sympathies to all concerned, but it's hard to know what to say. It's quite chilling even to think about it.

Hungrycol

buffalo wrote: »

Talking to a guy in work, he passed by five minutes afterwards.

"By the time I left there were 2 fire-engines on the scene, 1 ambulance, 4 squad cars (about 8 gardai), 2 motorbike cops, and another squad car racing in that direction from Christchurch side. The bicycle was destroyed. The front wheel was mangled but the back one was in pieces. Also, either the handlebars was broken or they were flattened and lying against the frame. It must have been driven over. It was the southside of the bridge, on the right hand side (as you head into town), just outside the travel agents and bike shop there. The bicycle was lying in the middle of that side of the road."

Oh My God that's horrific.

My thoughts are with his family. This is a very sad day.

BeerNut

Thanks for the information, buffalo. Horrific indeed.

Stay visible, people.

DirkVoodoo

Jeez, terrible to hear this. Condolences to the family of the deceased.

AstraMonti

Its so sad to hear that a young man died like that

sgross75

RIP....I will pray for him and all that do that commute.

Knifey_Spooney

Poor guy, under a truck too, has to be the nightmare of every cyclists partner/spouse/parent who says be careful every morning.

That junction is evil, has to be the worst planned of the canal crossings by a long way, although they're all hazardous to cyclists. I think leeson st is probably the best laid out and even that's iffy when drivers aren't paying attention.

Karma

lets see how the garda deal with this. if anything to go by previous standards, nothing will happen.
nasty place for it. a busy messy spot.

Ride safe.

AstraMonti

I was reading that in todays metro. Its nothing special.. but its something at least:

colblimp

That's a terrible, terrible thing to happen. As someone deciding which bike to buy, I'm having 2nd thoughts after that - it's really put me off...

Bunnyhopper

The Irish Times have added to their webpage a photograph of the aftermath. It's right outside the bike shop.

flickerx

Thats really horrible, the picture of the bike is terrifying.

I'm not in Dublin at the moment, but I suggest people here should get together tomorrow morning and just have a brief two minute silence at the spot, maybe leave some flowers or candles, before you go on your way to work, as a mark of respect... it could be any of us.

Howitzer

flickerx wrote: »

Thats really horrible, the picture of the bike is terrifying.

I'm not in Dublin at the moment, but I suggest people here should get together tomorrow morning and just have a brief two minute silence at the spot, maybe leave some flowers or candles, before you go on your way to work, as a mark of respect... it could be any of us.

Very nice thought - but be very vigilant about stopping and congregating at an accident area like that in morning traffic (or anytime for that matter). (I do not mean to rubbish your idea flickerx, it is a good one)

LimitedEdition

It was a horrific scene in Harolds Cross all morning. The chinese guy (the cyclist) was after making his left turn onto Harolds Cross bridge coming from Portabello direction & the cememt lorry was coming from Leonards Corner when the collison happened, the cyclist died instantly. He would apper to have been going to work as the Gardai went through his bag and there was a white apron in it. His remains have only been removed within the last two hours and the road has reopened. The driver of the lorry was breathilized as part of standard proceedure after an accident, he was in a complete daze. Whatever the circumstances my thoughts are with both the victim and the driver and of course their families, seeminly both only setting out to do a days work. Fair play to all in the emergency services, they have worked very hard here all day. There were a number of photographers at the scene, i know they have a job to do and they have to report the news, but it sickened me to see them flashing photos of someones poor child lying dead on a road. I dont think it was really necessary.

Raam

I know people who have had close calls at that spot. I've had a few myself. Poor guy.

CheGuedara

flickerx wrote: »

Thats really horrible, the picture of the bike is terrifying.

I'm not in Dublin at the moment, but I suggest people here should get together tomorrow morning and just have a brief two minute silence at the spot, maybe leave some flowers or candles, before you go on your way to work, as a mark of respect... it could be any of us.

RIP and my condolences to the family and friends - it's horrible to hear news like that, how in an ordinary day, doing ones ordinary things can just end in such tragedy.

Re doing something for the cyclist - could the ghost bike movement be introduced to Ireland to remember those lives lost on bikes? Very simple - a bike is painted all white and locked to a nearby post or railing with a small dedication to the individual lost at that place. Good idea/bad idea?

There's a site about it http://www.ghostbikes.org/

Chips Lovell

Karma wrote: »

lets see how the garda deal with this. if anything to go by previous standards, nothing will happen.
nasty place for it. a busy messy spot.

Well, that depends on whether the cyclist or the drivers was at fault.

DirkVoodoo

I think its a nice idea. I would be worried about Dublin and bike thievery, hopefully they would look at the plaque first.

Poor lad, I don't know that stretch of road but it doesn't sound nice.

Bunnyhopper

How about a white image of a bike sprayed onto the path, maybe using some sort of stencil? Or rather than paint, use a pressure washer to "clean" the image onto the path, the way they do with some advertising.

What about a gathering on Saturday rather than tomorrow? From 1pm for two minutes, something like that?

DirkVoodoo

All good ideas.

The reactions page on the ghost bikes sight is worth a read:

Last night I took a cab, and the driver was talking about the challenges of life as a cabbie. He was complaining about bike messengers and then suddenly shifted gears, lowered his tone, and said, "Do you ever see those bikes painted white, hanging up? That means someone died there. When I see them it reminds me to be careful for the bikers." In other words, people notice.

CheGuedara

Do you know, I'd be on for putting some € into getting a beater bike and painting it up for the poor guy. It's a nice idea of a memorial and like dirk says it might be good for raising awareness and consideration, something in short supply these days. Best running it past the family before anything else I'd suppose though.

Might meet up at 1 on Sat as well - should be in Dub this wkend, might come on the boards spin too if ye'll take another cyclist who left his club at home on.

Chips Lovell

CheGuedara wrote: »

...might come on the boards spin too if ye'll take another cyclist who left his club at home on.

Come along for a spin, be nice to meet you at last.

Knifey_Spooney

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I think its a nice idea. I would be worried about Dublin and bike thievery, hopefully they would look at the plaque first.

Poor lad, I don't know that stretch of road but it doesn't sound nice.

Don't the ghost bikes normally get stripped of anything useful anyhow, and are actually just frame wheels cranks, bars and a saddle. No tires, brakes, chain etc makes it pretty unappealing to thieves.

They're a good idea, saw a few in NY, its a little disconcerting TBH.

DirkVoodoo

I wouldn't put it past them. Plenty of bikes seem to get trashed/taken apart just for the fun of it. Anyway, lets remove such thoughts from our heads and focus on that chap and his family.

BeerNut

LimitedEdition wrote: »

The chinese guy (the cyclist) was after making his left turn onto Harolds Cross bridge coming from Portabello direction & the cememt lorry was coming from Leonards Corner when the collison happened

I take it you mean he was turning right from Portobello direction onto the bridge? If so, I've just realised how many times I've seen this nearly happen: vehicle crossing the bridge southbound goes through an amber and by the time it's level with the eager cyclist at the end of Grove Road, the cyclist has a green and is moving off. If either or both aren't very careful about the signals...

Danbo!

BeerNut wrote: »

I take it you mean he was turning right from Portobello direction onto the bridge? If so, I've just realised how many times I've seen this nearly happen: vehicle crossing the bridge southbound goes through an amber and by the time it's level with the eager cyclist at the end of Grove Road, the cyclist has a green and is moving off. If either or both aren't very careful about the signals...

Unfortunately I've witnessed exactly what you've described on the Leeson street bridge, but the cyclist was a lot luckier that day, only minor cuts.

My thoughts are with the family.

Roddy23

Just after hearing this news now. Was coming down there this morning on my bike and turned right onto the canal at that bridge about 9.30am. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family.

It's a nightmare of a place for cyclists, have had a few close calls myself at that particular place, with cars eager to get over the bridge.

RIP

LimitedEdition

BeerNut wrote: »

I take it you mean he was turning right from Portobello direction onto the bridge? If so, I've just realised how many times I've seen this nearly happen: vehicle crossing the bridge southbound goes through an amber and by the time it's level with the eager cyclist at the end of Grove Road, the cyclist has a green and is moving off. If either or both aren't very careful about the signals...

Sorry i meant he was coming from the Portabello direction and turned left onto the Harolds Cross Road, he was hit directly outside the bicycle shop. Sorry i did not make that clearer in other post.

jdscrubs

My brother lives out in Harolds Cross so I cycle out to him now&again. Think that area at the bridge is horrible place to cycle. Actually I do not think the southside, bar going out to Dun Laoghaire, is that safe at all. I live&work on the northside, in clontarf. I cycle to work. The cyclelanes are shared with the walking lanes and it is much safer that way. The councils on the south side need to make the lanes safer for cyclists. My condolences for his family. I heard about it before I left for work. It made me not cycle in and the bad weather was also a cause

Chips Lovell

jdscrubs wrote: »

The cyclelanes are shared with the walking lanes and it is much safer that way.

I disagree. I find it much more dangerous sharing space with pedestrians than motorists.

DirkVoodoo

el tonto wrote: »

I disagree. I find it much more dangerous sharing space with pedestrians than motorists.

They can be like lemmings alright. Just lay down a few girders, give them some umbrellas and away you go!

TskTsk

BeerNut wrote: »

I take it you mean he was turning right from Portobello direction onto the bridge? If so, I've just realised how many times I've seen this nearly happen: vehicle crossing the bridge southbound goes through an amber and by the time it's level with the eager cyclist at the end of Grove Road, the cyclist has a green and is moving off. If either or both aren't very careful about the signals...

A cyclist friend of mine saw the accident happen this morning as he was approaching the junction from the same side as the deceased cyclist. Allegedly happened exactly as you described above... the guy saw the crossing traffic lights turn amber, didn't see oncoming traffic and took off before his own traffic light had turned green. Horrible way to go.

Chips Lovell

TskTsk wrote: »

the guy saw the crossing traffic lights turn amber, didn't see oncoming traffic and took off before his own traffic light had turned green. Horrible way to go.

Who, the driver or the cyclist?

bealbocht

Passed there at 12 today. The bike was still there. Very sobering.
Very sad.

Thoughts to his family and friends.

TskTsk

el tonto wrote: »

Who, the driver or the cyclist?

Sorry, should have been clearer. I'm told that the cyclist unfortunately moved off before the light had turned green for him.

[Again, this is what I've been told... didn't see it myself]

LimitedEdition

bealbocht wrote: »

Passed there at 12 today. The bike was still there. Very sobering.
Very sad.

Thoughts to his family and friends.

Just looking out now and people are placing some flowers on a nearby pole. I have not been able to eat a thing all day thinking about him. Its heartbreaking.

BeerNut

TskTsk wrote: »

I'm told that the cyclist unfortunately moved off before the light had turned green for him.

I've seen this so many times when stopped at the lights on top of the bridge: waiting cyclists come right out, past the traffic island, as close to the crosswise stream of traffic as they can.

Sesshoumaru

I passed the scene at about 10:45am heading down the canal on my motorcycle. When I saw the accident up ahead I didn't really want to turn and look tbh.... But I heard some pedestrian shouting about it being a cyclist. I looked over and saw a mangled wreck of a bicycle and a blue sheet over something that looked like a body on the road.

RIP! This is just a horrible loss for his family, friends and even staff at the place where he worked. I felt terrible and far more vulnerable on the rest of my commute to work.

I'd also add to the comments about that junction being terrible. As I'd normally filter to the top of the lights I'd notice that cars tend to fly through amber and red lights to get over it. I'm constantly making liberal use of my horn going past that bridge.

mvpr

RIP

+1 on the ghostbike idea.

For every accident there's probably 1000 near misses. Perhaps the white bike will make drivers, and cyclists to a lesser extent, think of the consequences of their actions.

Does Harolds Cross fall under John Gormley's constituency? Perhaps a petition might help him make changes.

barrabus

my route too.
Poor guy. May he rest in peace. Some mothers son and all that.

uberwolf

it's your worst nightmare as a cyclist.
http://newsfeed.tcm.ie/media/images/b/bikedeath.jpg