London: A cyclist crashed into my six-year-old son, Felix, while riding on the pavement. The cyclist said, "I couldn’t stop," as he tried to explain himself. I was shocked and could only say, "You’ve hurt him."
The cyclist chose to avoid the busy road during rush hour and ended up hitting Felix, causing him to fall hard. This was especially frightening because Felix has a rare bleeding disorder that makes even small bumps dangerous.
Seeing the cyclist act recklessly left me frozen in fear. Our lives are filled with joy, but they also involve many hospital visits and constant care for Felix. He can bleed from minor knocks, which makes outings stressful.
Felix has a port-a-cath for medication, and I’ve learned how to help him at home. However, serious bleeds require hospital care. Last New Year’s Eve, we ended up in A&E after a nosebleed, trying to enjoy the celebrations despite the situation.
When the cyclist hit Felix, I felt my world stop. People around us rushed to help, but I was too shaken to respond. The cyclist kept repeating his excuse, which only made me more upset.
As the crowd grew, the cyclist faded away. I was too focused on getting Felix to the hospital to think about getting his information. At the hospital, Felix received urgent care, including a brain scan, which is crucial for someone with his condition.
Cycle accidents are common, and I’ve noticed more careless cyclists in London. While many cyclists are safe, the number of reckless ones is rising. In 2022, there were 462 injuries from cyclist collisions, and 15 deaths from 2016 to 2021.
There’s a push for stricter laws against dangerous cycling, similar to those for drivers. Currently, penalties for cyclists are minimal, and serious cases often go unpunished.
I hope for better laws to protect pedestrians from negligent cyclists. There should be speed limits, penalties for traffic violations, and a ban on cycling on pavements. It’s essential for the safety of everyone on the streets.
Image Credit: metro.co.uk