From The Guardian, UK:
"One of Boris Johnson's missions as Mayor of London is to get more people out of their cars and on to their bikes.
But anyone who watches CCTV footage of the mayor's last outing on his own bicycle is likely to be put off for life.
On Friday morning Johnson headed out in London with transport minister Lord Adonis and Kulveer Ranger, his director of transport, to look at potential sites for new cycle "super highways". The routes are part of his plan for a "cycling revolution" in the capital.
Round a corner peddled the mayor and the minister, enjoying the ride, until a large lorry overtook them.
In what is being described as the mayor's "near-death experience", the lorry's back door then suddenly flew open, dragged a parked car into the street and smashed into another – just feet from Johnson, Adonis and Ranger.
A CCTV camera which caught the drama obscures the cyclists during the collision until 30 seconds later a figure that is unmistakably Johnson emerges, helmet in hand, scratching his head and lucky to be alive.
An aide to the mayor said: "It was pretty awful. They were shaken up and Boris was shocked. But it makes the case even more for his super highways."
Happily, mayor Johnson was riding exactly where he was supposed to be, on the far left (UK). Had he been on the right, Londoner's would be looking for a new mayor. But say this had happened here. Say the cyclist had been blithely weaving down the center of the road and got squashed like a bug. Would we automatically blame the truck driver? Who would be expected to pay for Johnson's medical treatments if he managed to live through it? Herewith.
A tip of the helmet to Kevin Hoover for this link.
Wow. That was crazy.
ReplyDeleteHi Gordon,
ReplyDeleteIt seems my home town and Mayor has made it onto your blog. Good work!
Years of cycling in London have taught me to avoid the roads at all costs and paths crop up much more regularly than they used to.
Boris has always cycled about even when he was a Member of Parliament (roughly the equivalent of a Congressman) so, despite his floppy blonde hair and occasionally unnecessary right wing inclinations, a good egg.
You may be disappointed to find out that Precious is going to be wheeled out and paraded on the Flex on a bike blog again soon. Have a look early July.
cheers,
Nigel
p.s. Keep up the good work.
Nigel,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back. I look forward to the further adventures of Precious.
Meanwhile, I'm planning to invade your country in mid July. I'm seriously considering this 7 day Iron Donkey tour of Wessex http://www.irondonkey.com/west-of-england-self-guided-wessex.phpwith an optional 3 additional days in the Cottwolds. I realize this is all rather spoon fed, compared to the heroic adventures of Precious but it's an appropriate level for my age group.
Your comments on the tour/area/etc would be most welcome.