Ex-cycling czar: I was almost left paralysed by ‘road rage’ attack
LONDON’S former cycling czarAndrew Gilligan told today how he was inches from being “paralysed” after being knocked off his bicycle and run over by a motorist in a “road rage” attack.
The 49-year-old revealed he suffered cuts, bruises and “possibly cracked ribs” after being hit “deliberately” by a car in the City.
Mr Gilligan, who was appointed London’s first cycling commissioner in 2013 by former London mayor Boris Johnson, said the attack could very easily have left him in a wheelchair.
He said: “I have tyre marks on my shoes. It could have been so much worse. I am very, very shaken — I was very close to being paralysed.
“He (the driver) was not intending to do my health any good.”
Mr Gilligan, whose City Hall tenure coincided with the introduction of miles of superhighways, is now senior correspondent at the Sunday Times and head of the Capital City Foundation at the Policy Exchange think-tank.
The incident occurred last Wednesday evening as the journalist was cycling along Bishopsgate outside Liverpool Street Station. He said a black SUV in front of him stopped suddenly, causing him to go into the back of the car.
Mr Gilligan went to “politely” remonstrate with the driver, who seemed to begin to get out of the vehicle, he said.
“He looked rather threatening so I thought I should cycle off. He revved up and went straight into the back of me.
“I was knocked off my bike and lying on the ground, bleeding. I could see him racing away. Police were on the scene very quickly and arrested the guy.”
Mr Gilligan was rushed to the Royal London hospital for most of the night. He suffered “long, big cuts” down his shins, and has been left virtually housebound, while his bicycle is “a wreck”.
He said: “My feet are all bruised so I cannot walk any kind of speed or distance. I’ve been more or less at home for the past eight days.”
A spokeswoman for City Police said: “We can confirm a 27-year old man from Camden was arrested on April 4 for offences including grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving. He has been released under investigation while inquiries continue.”