Purposely run over and there's nothing I can do about it?

Goddamn. This is seriously depressing. Nowadays, when somebody wrongs you, you can't even stand up for yourself -- even politely -- for fear that the other person is a whackjob who doesn't understand the concept of proportional response.

The way the police handled this is absurd, and it seriously sucks that your bike's trashed, but I think it's a minor miracle you came out of this physically intact (i.e. not hit/stabbed/shot).

this is incredible. have you calmed down yet?

firstly: well done for keeping your cool. you saved a bad situation from becoming much worse. I certainly wouldnt have done so well.

second. did you get witness details and registration of the car? what about police badge numbers?

third: a crime has been committed. Although this may not be a traffic incident, you can still go to a police station and file a report. Be VERY persistent. Assault is defined as "an act which puts someone in fear of immediate unlawful harm/violence". When you file your report make sure you use these words in your witness statement. He also left the scene without leaving his insurance details. Get a crime number.

check out the following links as well as roxy's superb post on this.

http://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/Latest%20News/Accident%20Advice/item5494.html

and here's what you do with his registration number (irrespective of whether the police successfully bring a prosecution for assault)

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread8165.html#post231180

this'll be a long slog, but remember, this guy probably goes home and beats his wife. So stick it to him.

Sorry, but what about criminal damage?

I have no faith in the po-lice in this country, its fucking pathetic excuse for law enforcement.

When i got mugged outside my flat they said "we'll what do you expect it is Brixton..."

This is a sad account to read, hope you get it all sorted and it works out OK.

jesus christ. That guy sounds like a real wanker. I'm glad you're okay though, Minh Ai. Its shit he screwed up you bike but at least you're in one piece

Roxy's 'what to do in an accident' thread..
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread4213.html

V888 form to get his address..
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/AdviceOnKeepingYourVehicle/DG_4022067

Yet another case of our wonderful tax money going down the pan, the next time i get close to a situation like this the kryptonite chain lock is going from my waist into my right hand....being 6'4 in a sweaty vest usually does the trick tho!

THANKS EVERYONE for all the advice and nice words....my situation doesn't seem so hopeless now. it just goes to show how messed up our 'justice' system is and it's no wonder people take the law into their own hands.

Yet another case of our wonderful tax money going down the pan, the next time i get close to a situation like this the kryptonite chain lock is going from my waist into my right hand....being 6'4 in a sweaty vest usually does the trick tho!

i do get some comfort in the thought that this fuckwit will probably meet his karma one day - or a cyclist much bigger than a 5'4 girl!

he'll either crash his car and kill himself, or kill someone else and go to prison and get bumraped for the next 7 years. neither of these are ideal solutions, but there you go.

hard luck minh ai.

(i have had three situations recently where drivers have intimidated me. none as bad as your one though).

i hope you get a good outcome.

Tough break. picking on a small lady, having fuck all spacial awareness and full of hatred and blame i'd say this prick has had it rough enough. the fact he stuck around makes me think he is more backwards than nasty.

Picco - That shits fucked up! I have seen a knife pulled on a cyclist and hit the red but a gun for asking her to not take run you off the road!? i'd also have taken the calm stance then made a point to hunt them down and catch them off guard when they weren't so tough.

You still have to point out (nicely) when drivers are in the wrong. this toss pot that hurt you Minh might not have got criminally done but this will stick with him. one day those two lonely braincells will bump into each other and he will feel ashamed.

Said it before and I'll say it again:
Coppers, good for fuck all!
You'dve probably got more satisfaction from smashing your D-Lock around his head THEN done his windscreen. Tit for tat I say, coppers don't give two fucks....

sorry to hear about what happened, but you need to self report this at a local police station within 24 hours, quoting his name, address, phone number, registration and the company he works for. then i would seek some legal advice for criminal damage and hopefully you got some names of witnesses and shoulder numbers of the attending officers. it's really shit but this classed as 'damage only'. a black cab drove into me once and luckily i jumped off my bike when i saw him coming, i was not hurt and as soon as i took all his details he offered to pay for everything that same night.
good luck

I'm truly disguted with both your stories.

I'd recommend you write to that company where he works but then you would have to put an address, ie he could get your address... Get your own statements from your witnesses and write to all the cyclist groups, cyclist journalists, your MP...

It is just horrendous.

I hope you manage to put it all behind you.

Go to your local police station and report this as a crime: Criminal Damage.
They MUST investigate all allegations of criminal activity.

If you have any problems let me know anr I will advise you further.

Toodle pip

I would strongly recommend writing to his employer; using your work address and sending it registered post. Explain the situation just as you did above and explain that you are seeking legal advice. Be polite and stress that you are not blaming them but that you want them to know what their employee has done in their vehicle, that he has acted dangerously and if he continues to do so could cause a much more serious accident. It is possible that he already has a bad reputation where he works - if one of the drivers where I work causes too many problems like this in the end he will get the push and you might, if you're lucky, be the one to get this bastard the sack. It's possible of course that his manager couldn't give a toss but it's worth a try.

+1 (if it was a sign written car chances are he would get in alot of shit)

I would strongly recommend writing to his employer; using your work address and sending it registered post. Explain the situation just as you did above and explain that you are seeking legal advice. Be polite and stress that you are not blaming them but that you want them to know what their employee has done in their vehicle, that he has acted dangerously and if he continues to do so could cause a much more serious accident. It is possible that he already has a bad reputation where he works - if one of the drivers where I work causes too many problems like this in the end he will get the push and you might, if you're lucky, be the one to get this bastard the sack. It's possible of course that his manager couldn't give a toss but it's worth a try.

Hey Minh Ai, not much to add other than well done again for keeping your cool.

I don't agree with people who say 'D-Lock the bastard' - you were wronged / the victim and you did well to keep the moral high ground. It may feel really shit to be the blameless party and not to have given him a piece of your mind / fist but as other anecdotes attest, this situation could have got worse if you'd flared up with someone who clearly is not the full ticket.

There's a couple of themes forming: drivers clearly don't agree with our road positioning or understand why we ride further into the road, and cops really can't be arsed. Sounds like he shoulda been drink / drug tested...

Sorry someone ruined your day.

Hopefully this guy will lose his job, then his house. He's already lost his marbles, that's for sure.

Minh ai, sorry to hear what happened to you, as others have said, that really sucks.

Don't you get the impression that if the guy had crushed the wheel of a copper's bicycle, they'd have found something to charge him with?

Hi
This is a mighty fucked up situation and the guy obviously shouldn't be allowed on the roads. Its a shocking experience and I am glad you are able to share it on this forum.
My thoughts are how many other road users have the same attidude and actually take physical action on those attitudes? Shit loads. How many times have the cops done sod all? Shit loads.

If you can't get anywhere with this with the police or insurers you could always tell the press. I would imagine a paper like the Guardian would be interested in hearing the story from a "victim" of such an attack and it would also highlight the case for vehicle drivers to get some road sense.

Glad you are ok and good luck with your case.

Funny how whenever you smash a car's side mirror, the police always threatens to charge you for criminal damage. (Mind you: it is generally a threat to dissuade you from complaining about dangerous driving).

Definitely complain to http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/.

I would strongly recommend writing to his employer; using your work address and sending it registered post. Explain the situation just as you did above and explain that you are seeking legal advice. Be polite and stress that you are not blaming them but that you want them to know what their employee has done in their vehicle, that he has acted dangerously and if he continues to do so could cause a much more serious accident. It is possible that he already has a bad reputation where he works - if one of the drivers where I work causes too many problems like this in the end he will get the push and you might, if you're lucky, be the one to get this bastard the sack. It's possible of course that his manager couldn't give a toss but it's worth a try.

Unless he own the company and/or is from a very small independent company, small company somehow tend to be very elitist.

I think the police will have to take action if they feel people are bothered.

If you are willing to find out the names/addresses of the officer/station that took your statement. I would be willing to write a letter demanding action. As im sure others would.

In future, if asked are you hurt, tell them that you may never get on your bike again, for the mental trauma the accident has caused you and that your legs are really sore, but you can't pinpoint the pain, "must be the shock".
On another note, i complained to two coppers in a van the other day when a huge crane juggernaut ran me against a line of cars that i bust the wing mirrors on, then preceded to scream blue murder at me, um even though it was me who nearly bought the farm?! Their response: "Sorry mate were british transport police there is nothing we can do."

Obviously Lorries and bikes have nothing to do with transport...or the law presumably.