Uber warned of self-driving car dangers days before cyclist's death

Former manager said 'we shouldn't be hitting things every 15,000 miles'

Uber autonomous vehicle. Photo by ANGELO MERENDINO/AFP/Getty Images

(Image credit: ANGELO MERENDINO/AFP/Getty Images)

Senior executives at Uber were warned of the dangers of its self-driving cars just days before a cyclist was hit by one of the vehicles in a fatal collision, according to reports.

A manager at Uber, who has since left the company, emailed bosses to warn them of the problems not long before Elaine Herzberg was hit when wheeling her bike across the street in Arizona.

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.