Hit by car at crossroads!

[kster68]

Had my first accident on a cycle since I was a child last night. I was mown down by a girl in a hot hatch at the roundabout in a nearby village. Luckily I wasn't travelling too fast and was able to slow down enough to avoid going under the front of it, and got hit quite hard by the drivers front quarter. I even got that 'slow motion' moment when i realised she hadn't seen me lol.

The girls boyfriend jumped out to see if I was OK, and admitted it was their fault. Recieved a few bruises etc but nothing serious..and the torq, well..it's built like a tank, so no damage there. The poor girl driving was shaken up pretty badly..she seemed in a worse state than me

Could have been a whole lot worse ...i'm just thankful me and my machine are still intact and on the road.

 

[Vikki]

As am I! A lucky escape from an unlucky situation. Good to hear you're ok, though

 

[NRG]

Yes be carefull out there, its amazing how many motorists simply don't see you and also approach junctions waaaay too fast...glad you're OK!

 

[Old Timer]

Had my first accident on a cycle since I was a child last night. I was mown down by a girl in a hot hatch at the roundabout in a nearby village. Luckily I wasn't travelling too fast and was able to slow down enough to avoid going under the front of it, and got hit quite hard by the drivers front quarter. I even got that 'slow motion' moment when i realised she hadn't seen me lol.

The girls boyfriend jumped out to see if I was OK, and admitted it was their fault. Recieved a few bruises etc but nothing serious..and the torq, well..it's built like a tank, so no damage there. The poor girl driving was shaken up pretty badly..she seemed in a worse state than me

Could have been a whole lot worse ...i'm just thankful me and my machine are still intact and on the road.

It doesn`t always help but I ride with lights on all the time now and to be honest I`m finding that riding offensively is better than defensively as far as car drivers go.

Dave

 

[lemmy]

I`m finding that riding offensively is better than defensively as far as car drivers go.

I find that too. I believe accident figures for London bear it out too.

Speaking of accidents, this is very interesting and possibly useful.

CityBeast Cycling Safety Resources

I'll start a new thread with it to make sure most people see it.

 

[Mike63]

The poor girl driving was shaken up pretty badly..she seemed in a worse state than me

....what an understanding guy you are

 

[Beeping-Sleauty]

...nasty, glad you're OK & the bike is too,

these days i ride as if i am invisible and any stupid thing will happen.

have you seen this:
Stop SMIDSY | Stop SMIDSY

 

[Rad]

I'm glad you and your bike are okay.

I have near misses pretty much every day. Most commonly getting overtaken by cars that then immediately have to stop due to queued traffic at junctions or lights.

 

[eddieo]

...nasty, glad you're OK & the bike is too,

these days i ride as if i am invisible and any stupid thing will happen.

have you seen this:
Stop SMIDSY | Stop SMIDSY

the case studies make for some interesting reading, and give an idea what we are up against!

Case Studies | Stop SMIDSY

 

[Ratzakli]

Such a horrible experience for you.

I had something similar happen to me a few years ago but, that time, I was on a moped and went through some traffic lights that were on green straight into the side of a boy racer who had decided to jump his red lights and thought he would get across the road in front of me. Luckily, I somehow rolled ocross his bonnet and bounced onto the road on the other side with little damage except for a small gash in my shin that needed a few stitches.

I'm very happy to hear you weren't banged about too much!

 

[Tim]

I find that too. I believe accident figures for London bear it out too.

Speaking of accidents, this is very interesting and possibly useful.

CityBeast Cycling Safety Resources

I'll start a new thread with it to make sure most people see it.

That map is incredible. Thanks for posting.

 

[kster68]

Thanks for all the support. The girls boyfriend knocked on my door last night (she's a friend of my niece it turns out..it's a small town!) with a bottle of malt. Very grateful I didn't make a meal of the incident in order to claim on his insurance. I put his mind at rest, explaining how I personally detest the claim culture we have and would never play on it.

Having had time to reflect, I think I will be adopting Oldtimers and Lemmys advice and riding with a more assertive style, with the lights on permanently. Since it happened i find I'm a lot more wary at junctions..sort of expecting the unexpected..though that's probably a good thing. It hasn't dampened my enthusiasm at all.

 

[CeeGee]

For visibility I find these very useful - install and forget, they are always there, and no batteries to worry about:
Batteryless Bicycle bike safety LEDs lights, A non friction bicycle dynamo, generator, No battery, No friction, science DIY kit, invention, green product.

Colin

ps: kster68 - don't drink that bottle and then go for a ride.