A Sheerness cyclist was taken to hospital after a collision with a Herne Cars taxi on Sheppey Way near Sittingbourne, Kent Online reports.
The crash happened shortly before 4pm on Friday 2 October on Sheppey Way, Bobbing, near the Garden of England Crematorium. Adrian Austin, 63, of Queensway, Sheerness, was riding with friend Ian Barnes, also 63, of Cavour Road, Sheerness, when he heard what he called a “massive bang” and turned to find Barnes in severe pain.
What witnesses say happened
The pair were riding single file at about 12–15mph and approaching the crematorium entrance. Barnes was following Austin when, according to Austin, he was clipped by the taxi’s wing mirror. Austin said Barnes was still clipped into the bike at first, then collapsed onto the road.
Austin said the taxi stopped and began reversing towards them, and that he asked the driver to call an ambulance. Other motorists stopped to help, including a woman who said she was first-aid trained and a motorcyclist who went to alert police officers further up the road.
South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed it was called shortly before 4pm to a car-and-bicycle collision on Sheppey Way. A spokesman said one crew assessed and treated the rider before taking them to a local hospital. Barnes was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital and has since been discharged. Austin said his friend had injuries to his right arm, side and back and was on strong painkillers.
Space, lights and the driver’s response
Austin said both men were experienced riders in cycling kit with rear lights on. “There is no way you couldn’t have seen us,” he told Kent Online. “Drivers need to give cyclists space.”
That line will land with working drivers: Highway Code Rule 163 advises leaving at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at up to 30mph, and more space at higher speeds — and waiting behind if that clearance is not possible.
Austin was also critical of the taxi driver’s manner after the collision, claiming the driver sat in a bus shelter on his phone until police arrived and did not apologise until interviewed. That is Austin’s account; police have not publicly set out what the driver said at the scene.
Barnes has made a claim through his cycling insurance. His bike, which Austin estimated at around £4,000 and said was specially made, was scratched.
Firm and police
Herne Cars, based in Herne Bay, did not wish to comment and said the matter was being dealt with by police. Kent Police confirmed officers attended.
No arrest, charge or finding of fault has been reported. Until that changes, the safe reading for the trade is simple: give cyclists room, stop properly if something goes wrong, and expect insurers and licensing officers to look closely at any close-pass collision.