Cyclist: I thought I would die as I fell under HGV

A cyclist told today how he believed he was going to die after falling under an HGV.

Bart Chan, 27, who suffered ripped tendons, ligament damage in his left shoulder, as well as a bone-deep wound in his right elbow and a hole in his right knee, called on Boris Johnson to improve road safety.

Mr Chan was riding on Upper Thames Street in the City on May 13, when he was involved in a crash with a seven-tonne tipper truck. He said: “I was aware of this huge truck and undertook it in the cycle lane.

“I got ahead and the HGV was carrying on in the same direction towards Blackfriars underpass, when it accelerated from behind me.

“I went under it and thought that was the end of my life, I felt completely helpless.”

“I don’t know how I survived it as my helmet was completely cracked.”

The incident occurred only hours after Abdelkhalak Lahyani, 47, of Walworth, died in a collision with an HGV at Elephant and Castle. Now Mr Chan, a journalist from Wandsworth, is campaigning from his hospital bed for safety improvements.

He called for segregated cycling facilities and a ban on HGVs at rush hour, and accused the Mayor of failing to deliver on his promise of a cycling revolution to improve facilities.

“I’m grateful I’ve got another chance of life and it gives me a sense of purpose to carry on a very worthwhile campaign,” he said.

“But if Boris Johnson really wants to get more people on their bikes he needs to improve the perception of safety.”