Incident with cyclist
Discussion
Afternoon all I wish I wasn’t typing this but here goes.
Driving to the shops this afternoon and pulled out of my road. Drove along the high street for a few hundred metres and didn’t overtake a bike. I pulled up at a red light which has a cycle box (still no cyclist) lights turn green I indicate left (90degree turn) estimating about 10-12mph and whack!
Impact is behind my mirror scratch and a few big dents which suggests a bit of speed. The cyclist ended up on the road in front of me and was assisted by bystanders to the side of the road. On returning to the car to move to a safe position the indicator was still on.
He said he was turning left and how did I hit him? The first I knew of the cyclist was the impact. On further discussion he stated the following:
The traffic light was green
He estimated 15-20mph
My assumption is considering I was at a red light that I’ve pulled away he’s not slowed and come up the inside of me.
Despite not wanting an ambulance called he looked sore so have reported to the police, we swapped numbers and no witnesses saw the lead up or actual impact unfortunately. I was going to speak to insurance then pass on their details to him however it’s a Sunday and they’ve gone home.
Would I be right in just letting insurance run with this and sending him a message checking how he is with my insurance details?
Obviously there’s an excess to pay but that’s the least of my concerns now I just hope there’s no injuries. He has damaged his £6k bike but looks to only be the levers and his cycling shirt and I asked if he was with British cycling but he wasn’t.
I’m still shaking writing this So guessing that’s shock of it all but just want to know I’ve done the right thing passing onto insurance and messaging him.
Driving to the shops this afternoon and pulled out of my road. Drove along the high street for a few hundred metres and didn’t overtake a bike. I pulled up at a red light which has a cycle box (still no cyclist) lights turn green I indicate left (90degree turn) estimating about 10-12mph and whack!
Impact is behind my mirror scratch and a few big dents which suggests a bit of speed. The cyclist ended up on the road in front of me and was assisted by bystanders to the side of the road. On returning to the car to move to a safe position the indicator was still on.
He said he was turning left and how did I hit him? The first I knew of the cyclist was the impact. On further discussion he stated the following:
The traffic light was green
He estimated 15-20mph
My assumption is considering I was at a red light that I’ve pulled away he’s not slowed and come up the inside of me.
Despite not wanting an ambulance called he looked sore so have reported to the police, we swapped numbers and no witnesses saw the lead up or actual impact unfortunately. I was going to speak to insurance then pass on their details to him however it’s a Sunday and they’ve gone home.
Would I be right in just letting insurance run with this and sending him a message checking how he is with my insurance details?
Obviously there’s an excess to pay but that’s the least of my concerns now I just hope there’s no injuries. He has damaged his £6k bike but looks to only be the levers and his cycling shirt and I asked if he was with British cycling but he wasn’t.
I’m still shaking writing this So guessing that’s shock of it all but just want to know I’ve done the right thing passing onto insurance and messaging him.
Hang on am I reading this right?
You were stopped at a red light, and ONLY when the lights changed and you went to move off did you indicate?? That's how you've written it.
If this is what happened you are a TIT, indicators should be turned on BEFORE you start the manoeuvre NOT as you make the manoeuvre.
Cyclists do regularly go up the inside of cars at lights ( I also cycle and ride a motor bike) but will be looking for turn signals to INDICATE what the vehicles in front of them are likely to do.
OK If I am wrong about the above I apologise BUT if I am correct it's your fault. even if not you should ALWAYS check your inside mirror Before making a turn, just in case.
You were stopped at a red light, and ONLY when the lights changed and you went to move off did you indicate?? That's how you've written it.
If this is what happened you are a TIT, indicators should be turned on BEFORE you start the manoeuvre NOT as you make the manoeuvre.
Cyclists do regularly go up the inside of cars at lights ( I also cycle and ride a motor bike) but will be looking for turn signals to INDICATE what the vehicles in front of them are likely to do.
OK If I am wrong about the above I apologise BUT if I am correct it's your fault. even if not you should ALWAYS check your inside mirror Before making a turn, just in case.
Cylon2007 said:
Hang on am I reading this right?
You were stopped at a red light, and ONLY when the lights changed and you went to move off did you indicate?? That's how you've written it.
If this is what happened you are a TIT, indicators should be turned on BEFORE you start the manoeuvre NOT as you make the manoeuvre.
Cyclists do regularly go up the inside of cars at lights ( I also cycle and ride a motor bike) but will be looking for turn signals to INDICATE what the vehicles in front of them are likely to do.
OK If I am wrong about the above I apologise BUT if I am correct it's your fault. even if not you should ALWAYS check your inside mirror Before making a turn, just in case.
You surely wouldn’t go up the inside of a car at a left hand junction at 15-20mph? Relying solely on their signals to keep you safe?You were stopped at a red light, and ONLY when the lights changed and you went to move off did you indicate?? That's how you've written it.
If this is what happened you are a TIT, indicators should be turned on BEFORE you start the manoeuvre NOT as you make the manoeuvre.
Cyclists do regularly go up the inside of cars at lights ( I also cycle and ride a motor bike) but will be looking for turn signals to INDICATE what the vehicles in front of them are likely to do.
OK If I am wrong about the above I apologise BUT if I am correct it's your fault. even if not you should ALWAYS check your inside mirror Before making a turn, just in case.
Cylon2007 said:
Hang on am I reading this right?
You were stopped at a red light, and ONLY when the lights changed and you went to move off did you indicate?? That's how you've written it.
If this is what happened you are a TIT, indicators should be turned on BEFORE you start the manoeuvre NOT as you make the manoeuvre.
Cyclists do regularly go up the inside of cars at lights ( I also cycle and ride a motor bike) but will be looking for turn signals to INDICATE what the vehicles in front of them are likely to do.
OK If I am wrong about the above I apologise BUT if I am correct it's your fault. even if not you should ALWAYS check your inside mirror Before making a turn, just in case.
Sorry still a bit shaken just re read it and can see it could be taken that way. You were stopped at a red light, and ONLY when the lights changed and you went to move off did you indicate?? That's how you've written it.
If this is what happened you are a TIT, indicators should be turned on BEFORE you start the manoeuvre NOT as you make the manoeuvre.
Cyclists do regularly go up the inside of cars at lights ( I also cycle and ride a motor bike) but will be looking for turn signals to INDICATE what the vehicles in front of them are likely to do.
OK If I am wrong about the above I apologise BUT if I am correct it's your fault. even if not you should ALWAYS check your inside mirror Before making a turn, just in case.
No I was indicating prior to pulling away.
Personally, I'd have got his details.
I would not tell my insurers (as no claim has been made, yet)
I'd then ask him to pay for the damage to my car for dangerously trying to pass me on the inside, on a left turn junction. Of course you won't get anything from him.
From your description of the event I doubt you'll hear from him again.
I would not tell my insurers (as no claim has been made, yet)
I'd then ask him to pay for the damage to my car for dangerously trying to pass me on the inside, on a left turn junction. Of course you won't get anything from him.
From your description of the event I doubt you'll hear from him again.
RogerDodger said:
Personally, I'd have got his details.
I would not tell my insurers (as no claim has been made, yet)
I'd then ask him to pay for the damage to my car for dangerously trying to pass me on the inside, on a left turn junction. Of course you won't get anything from him.
From your description of the event I doubt you'll hear from him again.
Agree with your first line. I see this as the cyclist at fault (and he knows it!). Possibly the only error from the OP was not to check his nearside mirror before starting the turn but, speaking as a cyclist, whilst I might be sorely tempted to maintain speed and start to pass a stationary car at lights on the inside I just would not risk it. The fact the OP says his left turn indicator was on just reinforces the cyclist was very foolish.I would not tell my insurers (as no claim has been made, yet)
I'd then ask him to pay for the damage to my car for dangerously trying to pass me on the inside, on a left turn junction. Of course you won't get anything from him.
From your description of the event I doubt you'll hear from him again.
As for making a claim, why not? Even though he isn't with British Cycling he may well be a home owner with personal liability insurance. I speak from experience. I managed (and to this day I don't know how) to run in to the back of a Mercedes van on my bike that was stationary as traffic in front was turning right. I too was turning right!
Long story short, minor damage to my bike, major damage to my pride and a dented door on the van! Just my luck the van was owned by a local solicitors office so within 3 weeks I had a £400 invoice presented. Contacted my home insurers and all was settled and, unlike car insurance, no impact on future premiums!
ecsrobin said:
Sorry still a bit shaken just re read it and can see it could be taken that way.
No I was indicating prior to pulling away.
It reads that you indicated on green and then turned into the bend. I think the issue is that you weren't indicating before the lights were green.No I was indicating prior to pulling away.
Personally I wouldn't undertake a car at the lights but people do. Given the damage it's quite possible that the cyclist didn't have time to react to your late signal.
From your account, it sounds like you didn't check your mirrors before signalling and manoeuvring. Should be standard at the lights.
SlimJim16v said:
How was he going to do a 90 degree left turn at that speed? Especially if going down the inside of a car.
I’ve been running over this very thing. Personally I don’t think he was turning left (I’m also a cyclist) and to take it at that speed would have been positioned in the middle of the road, however I think he misjudged my speed as he saw the light green and didn’t clock my indicator. I have spoken to a local policeman I know whose mentioned there is CCTV but I’m just going to leave it with insurance as it’s looking like it will be costly for me and him. I guess it’s then up to insurance to decide who was right.
I’ve messaged him to say I’ll contact the insurance when they open and he mentioned that he had also contacted the police and that they were aware through me.
SOL111 said:
It reads that you indicated on green and then turned into the bend. I think the issue is that you weren't indicating before the lights were green.
Personally I wouldn't undertake a car at the lights but people do. Given the damage it's quite possible that the cyclist didn't have time to react to your late signal.
From your account, it sounds like you didn't check your mirrors before signalling and manoeuvring. Should be standard at the lights.
Sorry should say that due to the traffic lights set back from the junction and the displaced line due to the cycle box meant that I must have travelled 4 car lengths before impact.Personally I wouldn't undertake a car at the lights but people do. Given the damage it's quite possible that the cyclist didn't have time to react to your late signal.
From your account, it sounds like you didn't check your mirrors before signalling and manoeuvring. Should be standard at the lights.
ecsrobin said:
Sorry should say that due to the traffic lights set back from the junction and the displaced line due to the cycle box meant that I must have travelled 4 car lengths before impact.
Oh, ok.Something doesn't quite stack up though as 4 car lengths is a fair distance to see and slow down. The description of damage combined with the distance you travelled before the bend means he must have been going at a fair speed.
Did you check your left mirror?
Cylon2007 said:
Hang on am I reading this right?
You were stopped at a red light, and ONLY when the lights changed and you went to move off did you indicate?? That's how you've written it.
If this is what happened you are a TIT, indicators should be turned on BEFORE you start the manoeuvre NOT as you make the manoeuvre.
Cyclists do regularly go up the inside of cars at lights ( I also cycle and ride a motor bike) but will be looking for turn signals to INDICATE what the vehicles in front of them are likely to do.
OK If I am wrong about the above I apologise BUT if I am correct it's your fault. even if not you should ALWAYS check your inside mirror Before making a turn, just in case.
The only TIT here is the cyclist that passed a car on the left as the lights turn green WITH A LEFT TURN IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINTY!!You were stopped at a red light, and ONLY when the lights changed and you went to move off did you indicate?? That's how you've written it.
If this is what happened you are a TIT, indicators should be turned on BEFORE you start the manoeuvre NOT as you make the manoeuvre.
Cyclists do regularly go up the inside of cars at lights ( I also cycle and ride a motor bike) but will be looking for turn signals to INDICATE what the vehicles in front of them are likely to do.
OK If I am wrong about the above I apologise BUT if I am correct it's your fault. even if not you should ALWAYS check your inside mirror Before making a turn, just in case.
Take some goddamn responsibilty for yourself.
Car driver should always check his mirror before making a turn? How about a braindead cyclist hanging back and not putting himself in just about the most obvious dangerous place where a motor vehicle is concerned?
Have you never seen a bus or a lorry with those stickers on saying "do not pass on the left"? They're not for decoration.
TIT indeed.
I had a woman on a bike almost do this to me in the centre of Perth. I was in the left hand lane at some lights, I was indicating to turn left and she shot up the inside of me just as I was about to turn. Fortunately I checked my mirror and slammed on the brakes, so I did not hit her but it was quite close and she seemed oblivious to what had almost happened. I did wonder at the time who would have been at fault if she had hit me.
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