A cyclist in Oxford has been forced to apologise for confusion caused to all other road users when he took the irresponsible decision to obey a red light. The chaos that ensued led to 3 cars being written off and one driver being airlifted to hospital.
Mr Derek Peddler, a keen cyclist for more than 30 years told a press conference ‘I am sorry for all the pain, hurt and shock my outrageous law-abiding road use has caused. I saw the red light and I don’t know what came over me. I felt my fingers tightening on the brake lever and came to a controlled stopped. Then I just waited, and waited, and although I would normally have just gone for it hoping drivers could avoid me, I waited some more. I was a surprised as anyone, especially at the discovery that those ‘light poles’ also have a green light.’
Unfortunately, stopping at the red light caused other drivers to try and second guess the cyclists next move. John Redding was waiting in his Nissan Micra at the red light when he saw Mr Peddler approaching in his mirrors. ‘I saw him coming so started flashing my headlights at the drivers using the junction, to warn them a ‘Kamikaze cyclist’ was approaching. But then he just stopped. I can‘t be sure, but I think he may have also been using the cycle lane.’
It was at this point the whole junction seemed to enter a phase of suspended animation, with everyone motionless, looking to the cyclist and waiting for his next move. However, the ‘pause button’ was not pressed for long as a ‘white van man’ ploughed into the back of stationary traffic. The van driver was concussed by the accident but was able to recall whistling at ‘a fine sort’ just before rear-ending the Micra. The impact was so hard that he dislocated his shoulder and dislodged ‘The Sun’ from the dashboard.’
Mr Peddler has promised to do all he can to ensure he rides on the pavement, goes the wrong way down one way streets, and rides in the dark with no lights so that his riding is ‘more predictable’ to other road users. However, as he left the press conference on his bike, he was seen to put his arm out to signal before crossing the path of oncoming traffic. PC Harding from Thames Valley Police told us that although he could not charge the cyclist with ‘riding with due care and attention’ he may be able to charge him for having a defective wheel. ‘The wheel in question is being examined by our team of experts, and as soon as we know, you will hear from our spokes-men.’
