Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[HerefordElite]

Nah.... dont do pushbikes!  

well it was at the bottom of Aylestone hill - she didn't stop to see if (you) were all right incase she caused another accident

[Gaffers]

had a few car doors opened on me when i was a despatch rider around london in the early 90's,never hurt but certainly wrecked one bent it right back and destroyed the wing

I know how you feel had two big crashes myself:

1.   Rammed off the road by an impatient van driver.  I was following a jag downhill (Sheffield) and was having to brake to avoid running into the back of him.  White van comes alongside goes wide and then makes contact with me, effectively ramming me off the road into a parked car.  I flew over the car into a commando roll (army training coming in useful) and thankfully just bruises.  The useleess South Yorkshire Police were 200m behind me on foot patrol when I got up and saw nothing!       Ironically I got the guys number plate and he was cautioned verbally over the phone!  

2.  Coming to a junction in Sheffield (again) and a driver failed to see me and pulled out.  Halfway out she saw me and slammed the brakes on blocking the road.  Giving me no other option I swerved to the side going over a traffic island and busting both wheel rims (sob) she then sped off before I could get her plate to bill her for my new wheels!  

I have now fitted an airhorn to my bike, and I position myself more aggressively if I need to and of course the big high power halogens on the front of course!  

reminds me of a story my wife told me about when she was younger - walking down the road wearing a particularly short dress and a cyclist decided to pay her quite a lot of attention didn't notice the car infront stop for lights and smacked into the hatchback

Yeah... Aylestone hill!? And boy did my head hurt I can tell you !  

 

honestly?

Could have been my bro... he got a new triathlon bar to help with his commute and the odd competition.  He turned onto the main road got down on the bar and started to wind it upto the usual 25mph we get to on our training sessions.  

He had his head down and didnt see a parked van (parked illegally mind)which he hit the windscreen headfirst - thank god he was wearing a helmet!  He hit the windscreen so hard he put it in by at least a foot   compressed his spine and cut his face, thankfully nothing serious but we did joke that he was now 6'2 rather than his usual 6'4  

The other plus side is that my mum has worked for Victim Support for the last 14 years and there isnt a local copper who doesnt owe her a favour so they called me straight away and told the owner that if he tried to get my bro to pay for the screen they would tow his car for illegal parking leading to an accident (or something to that affect)

[Gaffers]

had a few car doors opened on me when i was a despatch rider around london in the early 90's,never hurt but certainly wrecked one bent it right back and destroyed the wing

I know how you feel had two big crashes myself:

1.   Rammed off the road by an impatient van driver.  I was following a jag downhill (Sheffield) and was having to brake to avoid running into the back of him.  White van comes alongside goes wide and then makes contact with me, effectively ramming me off the road into a parked car.  I flew over the car into a commando roll (army training coming in useful) and thankfully just bruises.  The useleess South Yorkshire Police were 200m behind me on foot patrol when I got up and saw nothing!       Ironically I got the guys number plate and he was cautioned verbally over the phone!  

2.  Coming to a junction in Sheffield (again) and a driver failed to see me and pulled out.  Halfway out she saw me and slammed the brakes on blocking the road.  Giving me no other option I swerved to the side going over a traffic island and busting both wheel rims (sob) she then sped off before I could get her plate to bill her for my new wheels!  

I have now fitted an airhorn to my bike, and I position myself more aggressively if I need to and of course the big high power halogens on the front of course!  

Steer clear (No pun intended  ) of Sheffield! Sounds like a dangerous place to be  

Yeah not been back since I left Uni, cycled out of necessity but down those hills it was fun!  

Now I cycle for training its also good for getting rid of my demons  

[unclelicklug]

Well just my little bit as another Sheffield cyclist commuting to work most days, yes I think it's your plumber's fault and I suppose he can expect a claim - surely we do all check before opening our doors.....?

Should the cyclist have allowed clearance around the door?

Yes there's definitely an argument there but in my experience not really practical on the road where other users are doing their best to crowd you out.

Should cyclists pay road tax?

I don't see a great case for this, cyclists do little significant damage / wear to roads and are probably already contributing via other taxes. I'm personally already paying road tax through my car, I'm sure you won't begrudge me a little cycle use on the back of that.

Should cyclists be (third party) insured? Actually I think they should, tho' I don't know how to enforce it. Wouldn't cost a lot for the cyclist and would be protection for them too, especially if it included a legal insurance policy to recover damages caused to cyclists through injury.

Sadly there's a lot of conflict between cyclists and other road users.

I'll admit to a few red mist moments on the bike - being pushed around / threatened by cars tends to cause a big rush of adrenalin which can easily be converted to aggression - I'm trying very hard not to rise to it these days!!