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Camden New Journal - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 24 May 2007

Walker badly injured by Heath cyclist

A WOMAN has called for a ban on cyclists across Hampstead Heath after being seriously injured when she was hit by a bike.
As Heath managers City of London unveiled a plan which could increase the number of cycle paths, Rozsika Parker, 60, told of her horror as she was mown down by a teenage cyclist in Kenwood grounds. She was so badly injured that she had to have an emergency hip replacement.
Ms Parker, a psychotherapist from Tufnell Park, said: “It was a beautiful late Sunday afternoon and I was walking back home through the woods with a friend. I noticed a boy on a bike slaloming dangerously through the crowds of people. Suddenly, I was hit with great force from behind.”
The regular Heath walker fractured her hip, damaged a wrist and cut her hand when she tumbled onto a stony path. She added: “The boy who hit me was out of control, and was part of a gang cycling illegally at high speed.”
She was helped to a bench and then taken home by the Heath constabulary. She spent nine painful days in hospital while surgeons replaced her hip.
Nearly four weeks later, she is still on crutches and has yet to return to the Heath for her regular walks.
She said: “It will be quite chilling, returning to the Heath, and I am worried there is some antagonism growing between walkers and cyclists. They simply do not mix.
“My accident is clear evidence of the danger of any cycling on the Heath. Those who argue for designated bicycle paths ignore the fact that, once on the Heath, cyclists inevitably stray from the paths.”
The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Heath Consultative Committee on Saturday morning.
Campaign group Heath For Feet criticised Camden Cycling Campaign, which has been lobbying for extra routes.
It said in a statement: “The cycling representation in the Heath area is strong and well organised.
“We are equally determined there should be absolutely no increase in the number of paths for use by cyclists.”
But Camden Cycling Campaign’s Jean Dollimore said: “The walkers are acting like big bullies.
“They are running a determined and expensive advertising campaign.”

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