Did I do the right thing?
Discussion
Cycling to work today down the Clerkenwell road, wearing my high viz vest/helmet as usual.
I filtered past a line of traffic and got to the front (in front of a prius no less). Left about a metre between his bumper and where I came to a stop.
I know the traffic lights are about to change so get ready to go – the next thing I know I’m on the ground with a pruis bumper hovering over my head.
Now to say I was annoyed was an understatement. So I eventually got up off the floor and asked the driver whether it was his intention to kill me or not.
The guy winds his window down, and I am faced with a 50 year old smart arse who accuses me of causing the incident. There was, it has to be said, no rationale to this accusation and he claimed that I was cycling like an idiot – which I wasn’t as I was clearly stationary with a high vizability jacket on.
I can only assume he forgot I was there when he moved off, or he knew I was there and misjudged how close we were.
To compound matters, all the cyclists and pedestrians buggered off and the pruis driver started laughing and saying how I "clearly want to die". I suggested that if he finds the incident so funny we should go to the police statement to give witness statements over the matter and see if they find the incident funny. I also pointed out that several shops/businesses have CCTV and there are a line of cars behind that saw what happened.
I made him wait there for a few minutes whilst I checked the bike over for damage, I gave him a few choice words of advice about looking where he is going, and we went our separate ways.
On reflection I think I should have called the Police. He didn’t apologise or accept that he was in the wrong, and then started to laugh about it. The guy didn’t even ask me if I/the bike was ok, and he didn’t get out of the car when he hit me.
On reflecting on this incident my only worry is that if he found it so funny he isn’t concerned possibly doing it again, so perhaps I should have taken steps to ruin his day.
Hind sight is a wonderful thing isn’t it? Thank Christ he didn’t finish the job. I would like to think that if my ticket out is via getting run over, it would be by something a bit more PH than a pruis.
Glad to hear you OK, and sounds like the prius drive is a bit of a cock, regardless of who’s at fault he should have at least shown some concern for you.
There is nothing stopping you reporting it to you local police station now, though I wouldn’t expect anything to happen, but you never know.
On a side note, I never really understood why cyclist ride to the front of a stationary queue, I mean it’s not like your going to go off into the distance and leave the cars behind (like a motorbike), just seems unnecessary.
There is nothing stopping you reporting it to you local police station now, though I wouldn’t expect anything to happen, but you never know.
On a side note, I never really understood why cyclist ride to the front of a stationary queue, I mean it’s not like your going to go off into the distance and leave the cars behind (like a motorbike), just seems unnecessary.
KrazyIvan said:
On a side note, I never really understood why cyclist ride to the front of a stationary queue, I mean it’s not like your going to go off into the distance and leave the cars behind (like a motorbike), just seems unnecessary.
As ever, it depends on the road conditions. If its slow moving traffic that a cyclist can filter passed then there isn't an issue as the cyclist is overtaking. If it's an open road with a cycle lane to the side the cars shouldn't be in the lane so it isn't an issue.
If it's an open road without a cylce lane then there isn't a need fo rthe cyclist to filter up to the front (imo) and so I don't.
Finally, all of these are also dependant on width of the road, weather and time of day.
OP - Glad there was no 'damage'. A cock is a cock regardless of what they drive or ride. They're out there so take care of yourself.
Glad you are ok, that's the main thing. At the time I can imagine you were just glad to be on your way with no harm done but in hindsight I would have stayed on the ground, squealing like a b
h and had the police called. s just can go wantingly nudging or knocking down cyclists with impunity. Even if it is aggravated (which in your situation was certianly not the case). An example has to be made of these people when the opportunity arises.
h and had the police called. s just can go wantingly nudging or knocking down cyclists with impunity. Even if it is aggravated (which in your situation was certianly not the case). An example has to be made of these people when the opportunity arises. KrazyIvan said:
On a side note, I never really understood why cyclist ride to the front of a stationary queue, I mean it’s not like your going to go off into the distance and leave the cars behind (like a motorbike), just seems unnecessary.
Purley so you ARE seen... - otherwise you'll end up getting cut up buy the guys who don't indicate etc...I have to be honest if he'd done that to me at one of the more "energetic" parts of my ride then he'd have no got such a mild-mannered response - an argument followed by me visibly "giving in" as I punch him in the face would have been likely, truly juvenile and I'd have got in to serious trouble...
If I were you I'd report him both for dangerous driving and for driving away from the scene of an accident laughing when you obviously insisted he waited for the Police...
That should be enough to stop the smile and the laissez-faire attitude.
If I were you I'd report him both for dangerous driving and for driving away from the scene of an accident laughing when you obviously insisted he waited for the Police...
That should be enough to stop the smile and the laissez-faire attitude.
Rolls said:
KrazyIvan said:
On a side note, I never really understood why cyclist ride to the front of a stationary queue, I mean it’s not like your going to go off into the distance and leave the cars behind (like a motorbike), just seems unnecessary.
Purley so you ARE seen... - otherwise you'll end up getting cut up buy the guys who don't indicate etc...There's also the fact that during rush hour, which is the only time I'm on the road on a bike, I am generally travelling faster than the cars. At lights it's me who travels into the distance leaving the cars crawling along.
In answer to the OP - I'd have called the police and got the car behind the Prius to act as witness. The driver is either blind or psychotic, either of which need to be dealt with. It's also one of the reasons why, day or night, I have one solid and one strobing light both front and back on my bike. It doesn't stop people trying to kill me, it's just a bit less frequent now.
Glad to hear you're ok.
KrazyIvan said:
On a side note, I never really understood why cyclist ride to the front of a stationary queue, I mean it’s not like your going to go off into the distance and leave the cars behind (like a motorbike), just seems unnecessary.
Why stay at the back of a queue of traffic and possibly wait for 2 or 3 light changes when you can go up to the front, be nice and visible and get away quickly? Much better than waiting behind and possibly getting taken out by the people turning left without indicating.To the OP - glad you're ok, I'm not sure I'd have been as restrained as you.
Thanks for your thoughts guys.
I have a well timed routine to get to work with only 5 mins to spare.
He is lucky in someways that I am a creature of habit...
Still noone got hurt so lets hope the verbal rocket I put up his backside makes him pay attention when he drives to work tomorrow.
I have a well timed routine to get to work with only 5 mins to spare.
He is lucky in someways that I am a creature of habit...
Still noone got hurt so lets hope the verbal rocket I put up his backside makes him pay attention when he drives to work tomorrow.
i think you did the right thing.
You'd have got nothing out of it from involving the police. I know that from experience. I wear a micro DV camera (search on ebay) on my helmet on my commutes after too many incidents, although mine faces forwards so wouldn't have helped you in this case. I'd only involve the police if I sustained injury or significant damage to the bike and had concrete witnesses,otherwise it's a waste of time.
Most of my incidents involve buses/works vans, so if someone's driving like a twunt and endangers me, I call their company. I did this on Tuesday after a coach squeezed me into the gutter with an inch to spare. I knew the company also owned a bike shop, and it turns out the owner (who I spoke to) and his son are keen cyclists - he promised to give his driver a bking based on my complaint. Whether he actually does or not is another matter, but it's probably more productive for me than wasting my time with the police.
You'd have got nothing out of it from involving the police. I know that from experience. I wear a micro DV camera (search on ebay) on my helmet on my commutes after too many incidents, although mine faces forwards so wouldn't have helped you in this case. I'd only involve the police if I sustained injury or significant damage to the bike and had concrete witnesses,otherwise it's a waste of time.
Most of my incidents involve buses/works vans, so if someone's driving like a twunt and endangers me, I call their company. I did this on Tuesday after a coach squeezed me into the gutter with an inch to spare. I knew the company also owned a bike shop, and it turns out the owner (who I spoke to) and his son are keen cyclists - he promised to give his driver a b
king based on my complaint. Whether he actually does or not is another matter, but it's probably more productive for me than wasting my time with the police.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff