Personal Injury Solicitors

A leading charity is calling on cyclists to be more aware of visually-impaired pedestrians, after it found that one in four blind and partially-sighed people have been involved in a road traffic accident (RTA) involving a cyclist.

The Guide Dogs charity – which trains and supplies guide dogs to those who are blind or who have a sight impairment – says more partially-sighted people in London are also calling the charity’s helpline to report being hit by a cyclist or having experienced a “near miss” involving a cyclist.

The charity says that the most dangerous incidents for people with visual impairment include cyclists who ride along pavements – or who jump red lights as pedestrians are crossing the road.

Many pedestrian crossings now have audible signals to alert those who are blind or who have visual impairments that it is safe to cross the road.

However, if cyclists ignore the red traffic light or the audible signals, those with visual impairments or who are blind can easily be hit by a speeding cyclist.

The Guide Dogs charity said that one in seven blind and partially-sighted people had reported a near miss involving a cyclist.

A new cycle safety campaign was launched on Wednesday (27/08/14) to raise awareness of the issues blind people and visually-impaired people face when out and about in traffic.

The campaign Cycleyes is backed by the London Cycling Campaign.

Charity engagement officer Dave Kent – who works for the Guide Dogs Charity – has a guide dog and said that encountering a cyclist unexpectedly can be terrifying.

Mr Kent, 54, said:

“To feel the wind of a cyclist passing you – or the ding dinging of their bell for you to move out of the way can be absolutely terrifying.”

Charlie Lloyd of the London Cycling Campaign – a campaign group for cyclists’ rights – said that cyclists have “a duty of care” to be on the lookout for other road users and pedestrians.

“Any crash or close pass which frightens or intimidates a pedestrian is unacceptable,” said Mr Lloyd.

“Far worse when the person is blind, partially-sighted – or in any way less able than we are.”

Rush hour was found to be especially hazardous for some blind and partially-sighted pedestrians. Andrew Walker from the RNIB said that for some cyclists the pavement may be “an attractive shortcut” to help avoid rush hour traffic. Mr Walker and his guide dog face problems with cyclists in central London locations such as King’s Cross during the rush hour.

“I would ask cyclists breaking the rules of the road to keep off the pavements,” said Mr Walker.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Lawyers – Road Traffic Accident Claims

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of personal injury lawyers and can advise pedestrians or other road users who are injured in road traffic accidents as a result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness on how to make a no win no fee claim for Road Traffic Accident compensation.

Personal injury claimants usually have three years from the date of injury in which to make a no win no fee claim for compensation through the civil court – including compensation if the guide dog of a blind or partially-sighted pedestrian is also injured in a road traffic accident caused by another road user.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Road Traffic Accident Claims, contact Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.