I note that you do hold the dog and it's owners responsible for your accident. I don't know the circumstances or the layout of the cycle path relative to the camper van, but is there anything that you would do differently next time? Is passing a parked camper van at 20 mph so close that you can't stop if something suddenly emerges from it a safe thing to do? Could you have given it a wider clearance? Could you have eased off the speed a bit? Could you have anticipated something emerging from the van suddenly and watched the door like a hawk as you approached? When I read reports like yours, I think of the times when the same could have happened to me and these sorts of questions go through my mind and hopefully I learn from them and make myself a bit safer.
It's up to you, but I would say that your approach to this incident makes you susceptible to having another and I don't mean that in any derogatory sense.
The centre of the cycle lane is around 2 metre from the road. It is the quietest section of the entire lane and a spot where I turn my motor off and blast my lungs back home.
The norm is that a car or van door may open and perso/s get out next to the cycle lane. Some step into the lane but this can be anticipated as actions are relatively slow. Any cyclist can ding the bell and move over in good time. I do this every day.
This particular camper was UK registered and panelled in such a way that the door was practically invisible. Coupled with this, the door, unusually opened inwards and was also on the continental (our O/S)
The door was invisible to me at my angle of approach and as such, I had assumed it to be the other side of the vehicle.
Numerous roadies had just passed me on their way to their local meeting spot some 100 metres ahead.
I had passed the rear of the campers when, the invisible door must have opened and a dog excitedly jumped out, directly in front of me. Like 500mm from my front wheel.
I did not even touch the brakes, just braced for impact. Sure riding slower would have reduced the impact and severity of my injuries but the impact would have still been inevitable. ( in my opinion )
It was the dog owner and not the dog that responsible for the accident. It was not my fault in any way shape or form.
In answer to your question, no, I would not do anything different next time.
I travel that path 5 days a week, I look for doors ajar, eyeball people in their mirrors. Slow my pace if people are walking on or near to the path. All the usual.
This was an unfortunate accident of life. I do not seek money for my repairs or hold a grudge against the dog owner. I just hope that he will hang onto the dog in a similar location next time.
Have I learn't anything. Yes, hit the tarmac at 20mph and it will seriously hurt.
Will it make me slow my commute each day. I doubt it. The incident has however given me food for thought.
