2009-05-12 - Rider Down, Rusholme

Had to happen eventually.

Riding back form the preliminary form filling in for the Bikehaüs, I got hit in Rusholme.

Going up the cycle-lane at a fair tick, traffic moving pretty freely for once. All of a sudds, black merc decides that the BEGINNING of a turn is the best time to put his indicators on. Unfortunately, the turn puts me directly between his bumper and the way he wants to be going. Cue my leg being pushed by a rapidly halting vehicle and me bounce-sliding into the side road on my back/leg. Only about 2 meters but still a fair piece of cyclist-bowling. I'm shocked!

So, dazed and roguishly disheveled I dragged my bike to side of the road to notice the driver leaning out of the window to check if I'm ok.
He was a shortish Asian man with slick back hair and a moustache. Open white shirt and a gold watch. But not only does he not say anything but he sticks his head back in. Then, the mother fucker drives off! Just straight up rejoins traffic and hits the next side road at speed! My suspicion turns quickly into anger, whilst I check myself over for injurys.

However luckily, some nice pedestrians come over with a) his license plate number b) witness ability-to-bes and c) help and kind words. So, if anyone sees a black merc reg. M20 LEK, do the fucking windows in for me. I'm fine (hell yes I am) and the bike took minimal damage as I was underneath it and I took most of the tarmac. No worries I guess, but the guy was a dick.

Just made me think about safety really. I might start wearing a helmet (if I can cope with helmet hair) and I might, MIGHT even put a brake on, although it would have done sweet fuck all in this situation. Just something to keep in mind I guess.

I'm leaving M'cr for the summer today anyway, I need some sunshine rather than just slight less clouds. See you all in August and ride safe/flashy.

Glad your OK.

x x x x x x x

thank hipster god you are ok morgan!

fact: you go faster with a brake.

glad to hear you're okay, if only this had happened in London. His car would be in the Thames by now...

Shit! Glad you're ok Morgan. What a twat that guy is, sounds like he just looked to see if he hadn't killed you then thought "fuck it, he's ok" and then drove off!

Karma will get him in the end mate.

Yep something'll get him.... Karma... Or (the chest puffing macho fantasy) D Lock....

Yeah glad ure OK manm, cya in september!

No fucking way! I was taken out i Rusholme today - this fucking douche of a woman decided a backwards three point turn in the middle of rushhour was sensible... paused to let me past and I quote "forgot not to press the pedal" (?!) I almost pulled the bitch out the car.

Felt ok but bike feels spongy when I got home so i've been on 'crack investigation' all evening.

Hope you're alright fella

morgan - glad you're ok. must've been just after we split at plattfields.
rory - did you forget not to pull her wing mirror off as you left?!
roo, re:faster with brakes, but what about ALL that extra weight?

Phew! Thank f**k it wasn't worse. I r-e-a-l-l-y despise Oxford Rd-Wilmslow rd. next time ride parallel upper brook/birchfield or upper llyod str. heal up.

thats really bad glad your ok, and you too Rory,
im gonna start riding upperbrook street now, rusholme is soo bad i have had so many near misses there

Take the Merc driver to the cleaners. I hope you've reported it. Clearing off is a driving offense.

Do get checked out at A&E - I was hit whilst travelling round a roundabout in Stockport, back in December - well and truely 'flipped' by a car that didn't slow when entering from my left. It was two weeks until I realised my shoulder wasn't right. I'm still not healed after 6 months, despite twice weekly physio. I still do not know what's wrong but the consultant has my MRI and nerve tests - just waiting to go back, but I've definately damaged my AC joint in the shoulder, and have nerve damage in my spine..... I have cover with British Cycling, so their solicitors are dealing with it.

PS - I never ride Rusholme - it's A34 Anson Road, then at Levenshulme head down past the Armitage and onto Parrs Wood Road....far quicker !

Take the Merc driver to the cleaners. I hope you've reported it. Clearing off is a driving offense.

Darn straight! Seriously you should get it reported, from memory it's a 3 point offence for driving off. The guy was probably not insured which is why he drove off. As much as GMP piss me off there are times they have a use. They had ANPR running in Levy earlier today and it's easy for them to find them... Use the force Morgan!! ;-)

I'm still recovering with a broken finger having been knocked off my bike in Oldham by a 4yr old kid that ran out in front of me as I tootled through a quiet park. The kid was OK but might think to look next time.