Legal News

The death of a cyclist in Croydon has led to a coroner calling for a rethink of “confusing” tram lines in the town.

Roger de Klerk, aged 43, fell into the path of a single decker bus at around midday on 12 November 2013.

He was riding his bicycle across a junction next to East Croydon train station – but his bicycle had thin “racing” tyres with less grip than normal bicycle tyres. It is thought that rain may have caused the metal tramlines he was crossing to become slippier than usual, causing Mr de Klerk to skid off-balance into the path of the bus.

An inquest into the IT consultant’s death at Croydon Coroner’s Court was told that the wheels on Mr de Klerk’s bicycle were also narrower than the grooves in the tram lines – and it was possible the wheels became wedged in the tram lines just before he was hit by the bus.

Croydon Coroner Selena Lynch said that there was also a confusing layout between the end of the cycle lane and the junction. The cycle lane continues after the junction on the adjacent pavement, she told the inquest – and said that the confusion raised questions about cycle lanes leading to tram routes, which extend from Croydon to Wimbledon in southwest London.

She said the layout was not only confusing, but there appeared to be “a lack of provision” for cyclists in the layout.

Mr de Klerk was waiting for a red light to change just before his accident. He had stopped beside the bus and as both pulled away, his bicycle had moved slightly in front of the bus. However, when he was five metres ahead of the single decker, he fell from his bicycle.

The bus driver Laura Leonard – who works for the Arriva bus company – told the inquest that Mr de Klerk seemed to slip from his bicycle

“I could feel him,” she told the court. ”I braked and put the handbrake on. People were screaming and I was just hoping he was next to the bus.”

However, she said that as the bicycle slipped away from him and she put the brake on, Mr de Klerk appeared to slide under the bus.

The coroner recorded a verdict of death in a road traffic collision. However she told the court:

“It has left me in no doubt that the tram lines are the cause of the problem here.

“I don’t know whether he’s gone into the groove – or simply that the metal came in contact with his tyre, being relatively smooth, and caused him to fall.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – Cycling Accident Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors are able to advise cyclists injured as a result of another road user’s negligence – or because of a faulty road surface – on how to make no win no fee Cycling Accident Claims.

Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors and can advise on how to make no win no fee compensation claims for Bike Couriers injured in Accidents, as well as Motorcycle Accident Claims.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Cycling Accident Claims call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.