Anxious cyclist says 'make it stop' after huge crash in 20mph Dogpool Lane near school
A cyclist troubled by reckless driving in Birmimgham called on road safety leaders to "make it stop" after a serious crash near a city school, GP and mental health centre. The collision happened in Dogpool Lane, Stirchley, some time before 6pm on Monday, October 14.
Vehicle debris from the smash, which reportedly involved multiple cars, was pictured outside a row of homes in the 20mph road. West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the scene but paramedics were stood down shortly after arriving.
Police arrested a man on suspicion of failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, assaulting an officer, possession of an offensive weapon and driving without insurance. Cyclist Owen de Visser, who walked past the wreckage, told BirminghamLive that the incident was "pretty horrible".
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On social media platform X, Mr Visser called on road leaders to "make it stop". He wrote: "Dogpool Lane, a 20mph narrow road, only 500m long. It feeds a school, a park, family homes, and a mental health facility.
"Recklessness on this road is a regular occurrence. Today's incident: a four-car crash. Make it stop!"
Mr Visser, who previously spoke to BirminghamLive about how drivers "terrify" him when he was cycling, added: "It was just after school finished too." On what action could be taken, he said: "There can be speed bumps, gateway infrastructures, chicane implementation, cameras and potentially one-way systems/LTNs. None of this has been implemented on [Dogpool Lane] that regularly has incidents."
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "A Volkswagen Golf failed to stop for officers at around 4.20pm before crashing on Dogpool Lane, Selly Oak, damaging six vehicles.
"The driver then fled the scene, however, we caught up with him and he was detained. A baseball bat was also recovered from the vehicle.
"A 23-year-old man was arrested for failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, assaulting an officer, possession of an offensive weapon and driving with no insurance. He was taken to hospital for treatment as a precaution and has since been discharged and remains in custody for questioning."