Cyclist run off the road by a car...what's the offence
Discussion
Last Sunday I was out for a jaunt with a pal on our road bikes. I ride 20-30 miles a ride once a week on a Sunday, a MAMIL for sure. I try to start my cycle early, 6.30 - 7am or so as I don't really like being around too much traffic. I ride with lights, helmet and hideous green bright jacket. Anyhow my pal is a bit late and we head off at 8ish. in the middle of the ride we get to a part of the road where the central white lines have been coned off for an event (place in question if anyone know it is Windsor racecourse, it was the Palace to Palace finish area), this meant no car could overtake us. The run of cones was about 400m, so a little way, so I crank things up to as much as I've got, about 20mph. As I get to the end of the cone area and cars can overtake me a big Audi pulls up along side wit his window down giving me a load of abuse saying along the lines get on the f%$king pavement. I rather breathlessly shouted back along the lines of F off and he then proceeded to pull over to the kerb causing me to nearly take a tumble (I meant right into the kerb). We were in contact for 15m 20m or so as I tried not to fall off. I come to a halt pressed up against the kerb, he stops, I expect some altercation, and them he drives off. All I can manage to do is plant a big greenie inside his still open window as he disapears (I know very childish but it was an instant spur of the moment thing). Alas I had no camera (one was ordered when I got home!)
My question what is the offence committed (not by my gobbing, although I'm sure someone will tell me). (Apart from me being soooo stupid to go out for a ride in the 'Sunday hungover, I wanted 10 more minutes in bed rushing to take the kids to Sunday football time').
My question what is the offence committed (not by my gobbing, although I'm sure someone will tell me). (Apart from me being soooo stupid to go out for a ride in the 'Sunday hungover, I wanted 10 more minutes in bed rushing to take the kids to Sunday football time').
No idea, but sadly it's an all too regular occurrence.
I reckon on my daily commute this happens twice a week, and more often than not when I am in the cycle lane, truly scary that one day it's going to hurt just because some a
hole doesn't like cyclists. Funny that they Never see them do it to buses in bus lanes though?
Don't agree with the gobbling, poor behaviour, brings you down to their level.
I reckon on my daily commute this happens twice a week, and more often than not when I am in the cycle lane, truly scary that one day it's going to hurt just because some a
hole doesn't like cyclists. Funny that they Never see them do it to buses in bus lanes though?Don't agree with the gobbling, poor behaviour, brings you down to their level.
supersport said:
No idea, but sadly it's an all too regular occurrence.
I reckon on my daily commute this happens twice a week, and more often than not when I am in the cycle lane, truly scary that one day it's going to hurt just because some ahole doesn't like cyclists. Funny that they Never see them do it to buses in bus lanes though?
Don't agree with the gobbling, poor behaviour, brings you down to their level.
Not proud of myself at all however I'm not quite sure it puts me at exactly their level, if that's the case the levels need looking at IMO. Spur of the moment response at nearly being seriously hurt, feet still strapped to the pedals and hands wrestling control of the bike whilst shouldering of a ton of car, little left in the armoury.I reckon on my daily commute this happens twice a week, and more often than not when I am in the cycle lane, truly scary that one day it's going to hurt just because some a
hole doesn't like cyclists. Funny that they Never see them do it to buses in bus lanes though?Don't agree with the gobbling, poor behaviour, brings you down to their level.
Bill said:
Personally I'd call that assault with a deadly weapon, but suspect DWDCA covers it. Shame you didn't get his plate (and presumably no one stopped as a witness).
Tried to remember the plate but could only remember R_64 ___, was too buzzed to remember much more. Plenty of witnesses, my pal on his bike behind (I blame him entirely for making us go out so late!) and other cars in the (small) queue behind him. No damage done to me, or bike so continued on our way.heebeegeetee said:
Well if you have witnesses and a reg no what have the bib said when you reported it?
No report made, no registration plate captured, just those three digits. Cars all drove on without stopping as I was still upright, catching my breath. Pal didn't capture anymore of the plate. I put it down to one of those things, only thought of mentioning here as I was up early again thinking of going for a ride. The coppers will do nothing on this, even if you had the full reg plate their stated position is no blood=no follow up.
In the situation you described the thing to do is not to leave enough room for a vehicle to pass until you are confident that its safe for you to do so - i.e. if the bloke in the Audi was up close behind you (which I suspect he would have been) then don't move out of his way until there's a nice clear path to one side, and be prepared for him to assault you so have enough room to manoeuvre.
Sadly this type of assault is very, very common, and given that there is absolutely zero enforcement it's likely to remain so, or increase.
In the situation you described the thing to do is not to leave enough room for a vehicle to pass until you are confident that its safe for you to do so - i.e. if the bloke in the Audi was up close behind you (which I suspect he would have been) then don't move out of his way until there's a nice clear path to one side, and be prepared for him to assault you so have enough room to manoeuvre.
Sadly this type of assault is very, very common, and given that there is absolutely zero enforcement it's likely to remain so, or increase.
Helicopter123 said:
Correct and in these days of HIV and so on it is being treated more seriously.
OP needs to tread carefully here.
Just a shame that the assault with a deadly weapon (or Audi as it's also known) won't be treated with anything approaching the seriousness that it should be.OP needs to tread carefully here.
Highway code rule of the road 169:
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.
Sadly there is no formal offense for this in the RTA however it can fall under "Driving without due consideration" in some circumstances.
Whilst it could be argued that spitting on someone is assault it is far more likely to be charged as Battery(an unlawful application of force), unless the person could argue that they where in fear of immediate personal violence.
Hope this helps.
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.
Sadly there is no formal offense for this in the RTA however it can fall under "Driving without due consideration" in some circumstances.
Whilst it could be argued that spitting on someone is assault it is far more likely to be charged as Battery(an unlawful application of force), unless the person could argue that they where in fear of immediate personal violence.
Hope this helps.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff