A north London cyclist has launched legal proceedings against his local council after suffering multiple fractures in a crash that he claims was caused by a hazardous cycle lane divider.
The rider says the incident has left him with long-term injuries and believes the road feature could pose a danger to other cyclists if changes are not made.
Crash Left Rider With Severe Injuries
Greg Simmons, a 36-year-old screenwriter from Edmonton, sustained fractures to both elbows and his jaw after being thrown from his bicycle while riding along Hertford Road in Edmonton in February last year.
According to his legal team, the accident happened as Simmons attempted to move around a stationary bus while remaining within the cycle lane.
During the maneuver, his bicycle struck a plastic lane divider positioned on the roadway, sending him over the handlebars.
His lawyers argue that the divider differed from similar traffic separators because it lacked an upright flexible post, commonly known as a wand, which typically makes such features more visible to road users.
Rider Recalls Moment He Was Thrown From His Bicycle
Describing the crash, Simmons said the impact happened almost instantly but felt much longer as he was propelled through the air.
He explained that he had been preparing to pass a bus when he suddenly struck the plastic divider, which he believes should not have been positioned in a way that made it difficult to detect.
Simmons added that he considers himself fortunate no vehicles were passing at the time, saying the outcome could have been far worse had there been nearby traffic.
Recovery Continues More Than a Year Later
More than a year after the collision, Simmons says he is still living with the effects of his injuries.
He remains unable to fully straighten his left arm, highlighting the lasting impact the crash has had on his daily life.
He has now instructed Osborne Law to pursue a compensation claim against Enfield Council, arguing that the authority bears responsibility for installing a road feature that he believes created an unnecessary hazard.
Visibility of Divider at Center of Legal Dispute
Simmons maintains that the divider blended into the road surface because it shared the same color as the tarmac and lacked reflective markings.
He argues that the absence of a visible upright marker made it particularly difficult for cyclists to notice while traveling at normal riding speeds.
He also criticized what he described as inconsistent road safety measures, pointing out that some lane dividers are fitted with highly visible posts while others are not.
In his view, adopting a consistent design could help prevent similar accidents.
According to Simmons, improving the visibility of these barriers would make cycle lanes safer for everyone using them.
Lawyer Calls for Council to Reconsider Position
Megan Lambert, a personal injury specialist representing Simmons at Osborne Law, said her client suffered significant injuries despite doing nothing wrong.
She argued that the council-installed safety feature caused serious physical harm and emotional distress, adding that the authority’s decision to deny responsibility has only prolonged the dispute.
Lambert urged the council to reconsider its stance and resolve the legal claim without further delay.
Council Declines to Comment
Enfield Council has not addressed the specific allegations raised in the claim.
A spokesperson said the authority could not comment because legal proceedings have now been initiated.
Simmons has previously claimed the council told him the divider was not defective because it was never intended to include an upright pole.
He has questioned that explanation, arguing that if the feature was designed without additional visibility aids, its placement still created an unnecessary risk for cyclists.
Similar Incident Fuels Wider Safety Concerns
Simmons’ case is not the only legal challenge involving cycle lane dividers in London.
Richard Lander, a 63-year-old IT project manager and father of two, is also pursuing legal action after suffering serious injuries in a separate cycling accident in Croydon.
Lander said he was riding along Brighton Road in November 2023 when he left the cycle lane to pass a bus that had stopped to pick up passengers.
During the maneuver, he struck the black base of a road divider, which he says he did not see before being thrown over his handlebars.
The crash left him with a shattered wrist that required surgery and the insertion of a metal plate.
He says he continues to experience persistent pain and remains uncertain whether he will ever be able to return to cycling.
Lander has complained to Croydon Council and instructed lawyers to pursue legal action, arguing that changes to the design and visibility of similar road safety measures are needed to reduce the risk of further accidents.
