Nottingham MP Lilian Greenwood has spoken of her ordeal after she was hit by a van while cycling in London. The incident happened when the Labour MP for Nottingham South was cycling from Westminster to St Pancras Station to head back home to Nottingham at around 5.30pm on Thursday, February 9.
The MP said the incident happened at a crossing. She said: "I was on a cycle lane and crossing a junction, the traffic light was green [for her to go], when a van made an illegal left turn into the side street I was crossing and hit me. My back wheel was under his front wheel and I got dragged along the road a few feet until he stopped.
"Luckily I was able to get up and walk to the pavement. People who saw the crash immediately came over to help and were incredibly kind.
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"The police arrived a little while later and took statements from me, the driver and witnesses." At the time Ms Greenwood was wearing her helmet and hi visibility clothing, and she has since gone to have her injuries assessed.
She moved to offer safety advice for fellow cyclists. She added: "Riding a bike a great. It’s good exercise, it’s a cheap and easy way to get around and it’s fun.
"But even if you take every precaution, as I did - have a well-maintained bike, have good lights, wear hi-viz and obey the rules of the road, you’re still vulnerable to dangerous drivers. We need to make our roads safer so that more people feel able to cycle.
"I welcome the segregated cycle lanes in London and Nottingham but that’s not enough - drivers’ behaviour needs to improve too. I regularly see people speeding, using their phones whilst driving and jumping lights."
She continued: "It’s dangerous and it needs to stop. Of course cyclists need to ride safely and follow the law too, but cyclists and pedestrians are always going to come off worst in a collision with a motor vehicle and too many people are still killed and seriously injured on UK roads."
After sharing her experience on Twitter, Ms Greenwood received a lot of messages of support. In response, the London Cycling Campaign wrote: "Very sorry to hear this, really frightening & not okay. Now: look after yourself, gather evidence to report [the collision]. Later: be kind to yourself. Go gently. Thank you for being a fab role model."
While Labour Councillor Michael Payne, deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, wrote: "Sending love. Hope you’re OK."
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