A pedestrian crossing on Rye Lane in Peckham, south London, has become a focal point for concerns about e-bike safety following a recent incident where Lilla Campbell, daughter of TV presenter Nicky Campbell, was struck by an e-bike. The collision, which occurred on Friday, June 19, has brought renewed attention to what some campaigners describe as a "Wild West" environment on the street, where riders are frequently observed flouting traffic laws.
Campbell, 26, was crossing the road near Peckham Rye Station when she was hit by a high-powered e-bike. Eyewitnesses reported the rider was traveling at high speed and swerving erratically. The impact left Campbell with serious injuries, including bleeding wounds and fears of paralysis, requiring immediate medical attention from an off-duty doctor and paramedics. The rider, who was also injured, fled the scene before emergency services arrived. He has not been identified or apprehended.
Nicky Campbell shared details of the incident on social media, expressing gratitude for the swift response of the police and medical staff at King's College Hospital. He noted the rider's immediate departure from the scene, stating the rider "scarpered" as the ambulance arrived.
Rye Lane was previously closed to cars during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the street has since been transformed into a thoroughfare for cyclists and e-bike riders. Local shopkeepers have expressed that the road, which has a 20mph speed limit, was safer before cars were banned, leading to increased reliance on and issues with two-wheeled traffic. They report that many riders, particularly those on delivery e-bikes, travel at excessive speeds and disregard red lights and pedestrians.
This incident follows another serious hit-and-run on Rye Lane in December of the previous year, where an 88-year-old woman sustained life-altering head injuries after being struck by an e-bike. The rider in that case also fled and has not been caught.
Legal experts have pointed to broader issues with current legislation regarding e-bikes and cyclists. Lawyer Nick Freeman noted that while tougher laws now impose life sentences for cyclists who kill pedestrians through dangerous riding, the lack of registration or identification for e-bikes makes accountability difficult. He argued that riders who are not apprehended at the scene often evade justice due to the inability to trace them. Freeman also highlighted the absence of speed limits and drink-drive limits for cyclists, contributing to a sense of impunity among some riders.