Pensioner knocked off balance by cyclist in Brick Lane speaks out
Eric Taylor, with his injuries which were caused by a cyclist, near to the junction where it happened - Credit: Archant
A pensioner who was knocked to the ground after a cyclist sped through a red light has called for more to be done to punish cyclists who don’t obey the highway code.
Eric Taylor with his injuries which were caused by a hit and run cyclist - Credit: Archant
Eric Taylor, 77, was crossing the junction of Brick Lane and Bethnal Green Road on Monday morning on his way to an appointment at St Barts Hospital when the female cyclist failed to stop.
“The lights were red and all the traffic had stopped,” he said. “I had nearly got to the pavement and then this bicycle came flying and nearly touched me. I lost my balance and I fell towards the pavement because I just couldn’t stop myself.”
His injuries include a black eye, broken nose, scraped elbow and bruised ribs - as well as terrible pain.
Eric contacted the police but was told that as the cyclist hadn’t actually touched him, they would be unable to pursue the matter further - something which he disputes.
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“They should be treated the same as road users,” Eric said. “It’s an ongoing thing with cyclists, they think they are the only people on the road. They think they are ruled by a different law and have the right to come through traffic lights and they certainly don’t.
“They should have information on their bicycles or they should wear high-vis vests to make them identifiable.”
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Eric admits that he has been quite shaken up by the incident, which happened at about 7.45am.
“I am in a bit of a mess and I don’t know whether I am coming or going,” he said. “When she came through that red light she aimed a weapon at me and I could have been killed very easily as I am an old man.”
A spokesman for the London Cycling Campaign said: “We would advise all road users to abide by the law and that includes cyclists.”