Hit by car for second time in 2 weeks

[weescott]

Bah, what is it with some people not looking where they are going or not showing caution?

At the end of last week i was cycling to work down a bus lane when a car and a van overtook me in the bus lane. I though to myself - cheeky ghet's, they got to a roundabout so i went up on the the pavement, overtook them both and sat infront of the car (Green Rover 216) the traffic moved a bit an the boy tried to overtake me when there was clearly no room. I shuffled about on my bike a bit, his car hit my leg so in anger I punched his car..oww!
A few days ago I crossed a junction onto a road where a slip road was joining. On the slip road was a parent who just dropped off his child. he looked STRAIGHT PAST ME! then started moving. I slowed down as i got to him and he hit my back tyre. 1" more and he would have knocked me off! I shouted some profanity and carried on!

A couple of guys at work have been knocked down in recent months. 1 incident where the driver originally accepted liability is now saying it was the cyclist's fault. Arrgh!

the Other case was with a German guy I used to work with, he went over the bonnet of a car, split his leg open (real nasty gash) and said "Nah I am fine, it ist nothingz" and cycled home! Mad!

Cyclists have the right of way!

The attitude of some peope in cars towards cyclists really gets up my nose!

I had to get this off my chest!

 

[weescott]

I'm pretty sure there was a law recently past that gives cyclist the right of way, pedestrians come first.

I consider myself safe and polite when cycling on the road. I signal to turn, have adequate lights and helmet. I even move out of the way for buses and taxi's in the Bus lane. So I would not say that I have an attitude at all.

 

[weescott]

Cyclists have a similar rough deal to motorcyclists, they filter through traffic, they pay tax etc...it's part of the pirks of being on 2 wheels. We don't take up much room and we won't obstruct or delay a car/van etc.. in there journey, so show some respect!

I have cycled through a red light penty of times when it's a green man! Cyclist's are allowed to do this if done in a safe maner. How many car's have followed me through a red light? A few!

I have heard a few times that people should ride a bike (motor and pedal) before they get in a car to be more aware of thier surroundings.

 

[weescott]

they are? could you please link me to a source that confirms this? first i've heard of it

Tom.

It was in the Highway code the last time i checked!

 

[weescott]

The law is a bit g(r)ey in some areas. Cyclist's are not allowed on the pavement yet how often do i hear the "cycle on the pavement" arguement?

Cyclists are meant to abide by the same laws as cars but there are exceptions.

The laws are not clear but surely a civil attitude should prevail? Unfortunatly not all people are civil. This is why I know i am correct before I make a statement or have an arguement "cyclerage...grrr".

 

[weescott]

Wish it was true but:

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/03.htm#50

/looks for old copy of Highway code.

 

[weescott]

Moreover, I don't think your attitude to other road users could be described as anything like civil.

Why?

 

[weescott]

Is there any law in the UK for Speeding in a bicycle? last time i checked there wasn't!

 

[weescott]

As above, stopped in a speed trap by Essex police.

Being stopped by the police doesn't mean there is a law against it!

 

[weescott]

From what I've read here: shouting profanity and punching cars, claiming that cyclists are entitled to special exemptions and that cyclists don't obstruct or hold up traffic.

The main problem, however, is that it doesn't seem like you accept that cyclists are at fault at least as much as motorists. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's the impression and attitude I'm getting.

Ok I see your point. Let me clarify.

I have been cycling to work for over 6 years. I have had no serious accidents but only altercations. My shouting profanity and hitting the car (he hit me first miss) is my pent up anger at the lack of respect from drivers and it's my way of making people aware of when they are wrong! I don't want nor expect special circumstances, i respect car's road presence, like they should mine!

 

[weescott]

Also, since you've got me started, when has it been legal or indeed sensible to hold up a main road with cyclists 3 abreast? They wonder why I want to run the little ******* down?

I know what you mean, i know the law and i dont do that! It is wrong and you have the right to toot at them.

the rest of your arguement I do not agree with. I hasten to add. that saying you want to knock them down i find offensive. It brings a recolection of the roadies killed a few weeks ago

 

[weescott]

weescot, I beleive the speed limit applies to all vehicles, be they motorised or pedal powered.

That's where the grey area comes into play. vehicles have to have a working speedo to clarify that, bicyles dont, so how can they gauge if they are going too fast?

 

[weescott]

You would have a point if in your first post you hadn't:

a) Admitted to using the pavement to get past cars that overtook you, then sitting in fromt of one of those cars

b) Admitted to seeing the car you knew was going to pull out, and then slowing down so it drove into you.

You are hardly helping yourself here are you?????

If you hadn't deliberately done these things, then you wouldn't have had any need to shout abuse and punch cars.

I could not have known that the car would pull out infront of me, and while cycling on the pavement is technically illegal, i pulled infront of a stationary car so I was not cycling in a dangerous maner.

 

[weescott]

Werewolf - I agree, but what are the Police going to do? put 3 points on my license?

Vent - Indeed, cyclist's might have the right of way but that is no excuse to act like it. For instance, if a car indicates to turn, i wait till he turns, I err the side of caution. It's common sense.

 

[weescott]

no, but a fine and a warning

bah, I'll just cycle away at 31 mph on the pavement jumping infront of cars when i can, hitting thier wing mirrors as I pass like the hooligan all cyclists are!

 

[weescott]

6 years and you still can't keep yourself calm on the road. If it was an accident, solve it with some common sense. If there are any damage to you or your bike, proceed as normal to getting the driver at fault to pay out (insurance, etc...). If they refuse, what's wrong with calling the coppers down? If the driver runs away, take down the reg. number, vehicle colour/make/model and report it at your local station as a RTA.

Quite the oposite. I have kept my self "calm" for years, why should cyclists put up with this behavior? You are right! Next time I'll note down the reg number and report them for dandgerous driving!

 

[weescott]

lol, is that how he speaks?

Ya, He ist ein crazy German, but not a crazy cyclist.

...well I'm off to work now with my reflective jacket, reflective trouser clips, iluminous spokey dokeys, some orange plastic indicators, an air horn and full Downhill Body Armour. I'm sure I'm missing something.

 

[weescott]

None of that would have happened if you hadn't broke the law and gone on the pavement!

It wouldn't have happend if *** car and van hadent't broken the law and used the bus lane. The second incident I didn't nothing wrong!

It is the duty of all road users to observe others actions and act according, good road users would also try to predict what they think might be going to happen and take precautions such as slowing down.

True

Get real!

like I said, new law.

Really ? your rant seems to hint that your attitude towards cars leaves a lot to be desired as well.

not at all. It's the attitude of drivers, thier lack of respect and consideration towards 2 wheels that bothers me.

 

[weescott]

Was the bus lane actually active at that time? cars and vans can use bus lanes during certain hours of the day when they are deemed inactive. This information would be on a blue sign next to the bus lane.
Even if they did break the law by driving in a bus lane, YOU broke the law too by riding on the pavement to get your 'revenge' and placed yourself in a dangerous position. Its YOUR responsibility not to put yourself in danger. While you were getting yourself into this position the driver was probably looking to his right for oncoming traffic on the roundabout , totally unaware that you were sampling his paint on your handlebars.
Maybe leave home a little earlier so you can have a more relaxed ride to work, Remember better to be late than dead.

The bus lane was active, there was a long line of traffic patiently waiting in the correct lane.

When I cycled on the (empty) kerb to pass the inpatient car and van they were stationary and there was no danger to me or the car I sat infront of.
The only revenge I sought was to get infront of the impatent driver. That is the only thing i ever do. I do not key cars or extract revenge for someone driving dangerously, but if they hit me then I will tell them how I feel. After all they could easily kill me by such antics.
I exercise my right to be on the road and I will not be bullied by cars.

When I filter past cars to get closer to a roundabout I never go right to the front as they will be watching for traffic and could pull away at any time. I see some cyclists doing this which angers me. No one group are all angels.

 

[weescott]

doesn't excuse a deliberate criminal act though

Indeed, but when someone endangers your life you can understandably be upset and have a case of red mist. like one guy I know who was knocked down by a car, he took his cycling helmet off and threw it at the car leaving a dent! It made him a bit happier after the driver had written off his bicycle.