Knocked off bike this morning, Ouch!

[GreatGranny]

Knew I should have taken the bus but no, I thought I would be macho and cycle to work in the snow on my road bike.
Les than 1/2 mile from my house approaching busy traffic lights go down inside just as I passed a Lexus SUV the driver decided to (try) and drop off his son who was seated in the passenger seat so he could catch the school bus.
I hit door, did a somersault (I was told this later by a witness) and landed on my side on the cold snow covered pavement.
I started to swear at the passenger until the pain hit me in right my arm/shoulder and knee.
A few people around, one lady in particular came to see if I was ok.
Thought it best to stay still just in case and lady called ambulance. Driver was very apologetic.
A couple of blankets appeared and I was made comfortable where I lay.
Fingers now going tingly.
Police arrived 1st followed soon after by ambulance.
Very nice female paramedic appeared by my side and asked if I was ok, any pain in kneck etc..
Feeling a little better, she helped me up and into the ambulance, now feeling a little feint. Took blood pressure, high, big bruise already on top of arm, gauge in left shin where hit chainset, right knee very sore. Decided ok not to go to A & E, ambulance gave me lift home with my bike.
Took day off work feeling st, bruises now coming out and aches starting around right hip. Must have jolted it. Bruise on right arm increasing in size.
Driver rang me earlier to see if i was ok and to again apologise. He said he would pay for any damage to bike. Not had chance to look yet but front wheel buckled and forks might be off as well.
I think was lucky, its so easy to break the collar bone or dislocate a shoulder in that type of fall. It happened so fast I didn't have time to put my hands out which can cause injuries.
Be careful out there!

[riwiho]

Sorry story. Glad to hear you not to battered and bruised and at least you have been hit by a reasonable driver who accepts responsibility and is willing to pay for any damages.

Hope you feel better soon. R

[RobDickinson]

These stories always seem to involve school runs and SUV's

Hope you get over it quicky!

[littleandy0410]

Ouch! Sounds nasty! Glad you're OK. Were you clipped in? I've always thought that sort of crash could be made worse if the bike follows you still connected to your feet.

[hondafanatic]

Sorry to read about your bump. I hope you recover quickly and that your bike is sorted out as soon as possible.

Can I just clarify though, you were undertaking standing traffic vehicle?

[GreatGranny]

Thanks for replies.

Yes i was clipped in (Time ATAC) and just came out of the pedals when I somersaulted. Bike ended up about 6 ft away from me.

I was undertaking standing traffic approaching traffic lights. Its a wide main road and has plenty of room. However I had noticed the Lexus had moved nearer the kerb than the other traffic as he had slowed to a stop but there was still a good 3 ft gap. I have been this route almost every day for the last 7/8 years and thats the 1st accident.
My cousin has been involved in 2 bad accidents on his bike in the last 4 years. Broken jaw and smashed teeth in the first and broken ribs and collar bone in the latest and has had to have the shoulder pinned.

[Nick_F]

Glad you seem to be in one piece.

I had a near miss under similar circumstances - I undertook a line of cars queueing behind someone who was waiting to turn right and one of them decided to try to squeeze past on the left as I went by. Speeds were low so I only got 'wedged' against the kerb and stayed upright, whilst the driver stopped when I banged on the roof.

I now only ever pass other traffic on the right, or take a place in the queue and wait; I'm probably a little paranoid about it, but so many of the cyclist fatalities that one reads about involve filtering down the left of traffic that it seems more prudent just not to do it.

[deckster]

Nick_F said:

I now only ever pass other traffic on the right, or take a place in the queue and wait; I'm probably a little paranoid about it, but so many of the cyclist fatalities that one reads about involve filtering down the left of traffic that it seems more prudent just not to do it.

Yep...filtering is pretty much the most dangerous thing you can do and was the cause the only time I've ever been knocked off. I still do it mind as otherwise you lose most of the benefit of cycling but you really have to be careful!

[prand]

Hence why they call it undertaking, you end up at teh undertakers!

This is where I have full spidey sense on, and pretty much slow to a crawl to make sure I can react when people in cars pull out or into me.

[skudupnorth]

Car drivers do not like cyclists over or undertaking them in standing traffic.I have "cycle lanes" on some of the roads i use and the minute you are seen by certain drivers then they will try to curb you even when you are useing the lane set aside for you ! I enjoy cars but do not commute in them due to not enjoying traffic jams and of course the cost....i have saved a packet this past two years which has enabled me to buy two new bikes ! Hope you are OK,pity more motorist do not realise we are on bikes for the simple reason of wanting to get to and from work without being stuck in jams and not to upset other motorists by passing them.