Forum Rider Down and/or notification of minor incidents

I almost got hit by a car on Camden Rd last night as I was waiting in the right filter box.
Yellow van, swung out so far that he came into the box at about 40mph.
I usually wait there track standing but hadn't bother last night. Very lucky.

And that happened because you/other cyclists jump red lights you know #boris

Glad you're ok too! 40mph impact doesn't bear thinking about : /

Yup - being smacked in the face by a van at 40mph would've done me in.

It's just after a set of lights, 2 lanes of traffic, the guy just swung out wildly and sped off. Totes dick head.

Was on fluro nodder biek as well.

The single thing that makes you easy to see in some ones mirrors is a bright, flashing light. You pick it up in your peripheral vision. Even if I can't tell where you are or what you are doing I know you are there and can drive accordingly.

I'm not convinced this is the place, but may I add pedal reflectors to the list of things that are extra-noticeable when driving? Obviously only particularly visible when you're directly behind, so less relevant in congested city streets.

Riding home last night with a friend. A pedestrian [US tourist] steps out between parked cars and straight into our path. I react quick and bring the bike to a stop but my mate wasn't so lucky: grabs the front brake, loses the front end barrels into the side / back of my bike and then goes down.

Ped wanders off to cab on opposite side of the road. Whilst friend dusts himself down I confront ped who offers limp apologies but the collision has broken my shoe (!). Discussion ensues as to who is going to repair my shoe. Bizarrely they give me a 5 pound note and a 20 dollar bill, get into the cab and off they go.

I get home to find a text from friend: unknown to him his phone was smashed.

Ouch that's expensive... That guy sounded like a right prat. Is your mate ok now apart from the phone and bike?

Yeah he's fine, he'd bounce off anything and get up. He was riding a very sensible bike too so no worries there. No crabon shiznit, just steel.

It was interesting because the ped was genuinely perplexed when I asked him what he was going to do to put things right - as in his mind it was an accident for which he had no responsibility. He went as far as stating that in the U.S. what I was doing would be classed as 'a shake down'.

I don't think he was a complete douche though - I suspect a lot of people would have shrugged the whole thing off completely. So he's being filled under 'minor douche'.

The criminal justice unit/ Police have written to me asking if I think charges should be pressed against the car driver who hit me.

Is this a standard part of road traffic incident investigation?
Also asked if I thought a Driver improvement class would suffice = I don't...

They asked me the same thing after I was hit.

I went for the driver improvement class on the basis of:

a) Makes him a better driver

b) Doesn't make him hate cyclists because he's now got points on his license.

They asked me the same thing after I was hit.

I went for the driver improvement class on the basis of:

a) Makes him a better driver

b) Doesn't make him hate cyclists because he's now got points on his license.

......double win as going on a course increases his insurance premium.

Would of got that either way I guess. It also reduces the paperwork the Police need to do.

I prefer them spending time going after the real cunts (like the gang who beat the shit out of me for my phone) rather than some driver who stupidly pulled through traffic.

Cunts who did this to me...

Look at the shirt they made me wear! >_<

Look at the shirt they made me wear! >_<

Sorry to hear, get well soon and i hope the cunts get whats coming to them, karma.

Cunts who did this to me...

That's terrible. Goths jumping people and applying their make up to innocent individuals - it's just not right.

I hope it washes off.

Look at the shirt they made me wear! >_<

To be fair you couldn't see out of either eye to realise what a plumb you looked.

^ Ha!

This was at the start of September. The Police currently have 14 people on bail over it.

Apart from the ribs first thing in the morning I'm much better thank you.

What pimp phone do/did you have?
A prize worth splitting between 14 people!

A S3 that already had a cracked screen. They really fucked that one up!

Radio mentioned a hit and run death in Bath from last night.

http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Midland-Bridge-hit-run-Bath-cyclist-fighting-life/story-20091363-detail/story.html

^ Ha!

This was at the start of September. The Police currently have 14 people on bail over it.

Apart from the ribs first thing in the morning I'm much better thank you.

14 !!! Do you think they'll serve for it? Must have been absolutely terrifying. Where were you ?

I doubt all 14 will be done but the coppers are confident that the ringleaders will be charged.

It was on the Lewes Road, near the B&Q.

Cunts.

26-06-2013, 115 Station Road, Hampton.

Guessing this is the place to post, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Riding with a friend when a parked minivan managed to open the driver door in between us. Collected me and spilled me across the both lanes of traffic. Luckily evening so road was empty.

Happened near 115 Station Road Hampton. Got great assistance from the near-by fish and chip shop (Marini's?). The guy initially said "I just opened the door you came out of nowhere" to which I replied "You opened the door without looking". As the people came out from the shop he did take responsibility and even apologised.

Result: me - torn ligaments left ankle; laceration left hand; bruising all over; bike front wheel, crank, frame, brakes (cables, covers, bar tape). Getting it seen to over the weekend so I can post more details.

The man did provide his details and I have filled out a police report.

I will write more details pending how he deals with bike repair costs.

Any advice and/or suggestions appreciated.

So, interesting development. I received a letter from the police saying that they will be prosecuting this driver. Reason - Opening Door Onto Danger. I'm taking that to mean my middle name is danger =). At any rate I figured it's worth sharing here. I will say that his insurance had already paid up (fixing the bike, physiotherapy and even compensation). So I was quite surprised to see more about this. I wIll post any future developments. And again big thanks to Howard and Rhowe for all the advice.

A S3 that already had a cracked screen. They really fucked that one up!

Maybe they thought you had rice.