Knocked over a cyclist, where do I stand?
Discussion
Was returning home the other night, two juctions from where I live. I have to turn right then take first left a few yards further on. I have slowed, and am indicating right, start to turn. This is when something reflects in my headlights, coming towards my car from the pavement to the front left of my car. Realising they are the eyes of a cat I turn harder right to miss the moggy by inches and there is a clunk and a shout from the right of my car. I get out and there is and angry cyclist getting up. He is dressed in very dark colours, with absolutely nothing reflective and no lights on his bike. Turns out he was just trying to cut diagonally across the right/left turn that I was treating as a seperate right then left. He wasn't expecting my car to suddenly go sharper right and told me in no uncertain terms what he thought of me.
Thing is I saw the cat clearly because of it's eyes reflecting and there were no lights / reflections in my wing mirror which I checked as I turned. The road is not well lit there.
My opinion is that he cat doesn't know it ought to wear reflective gear but the cyclist has no such excuse. (That's probably why my reply to his attitude was "well rather you than the cat!!"
This doesn't change the fact that he took my reg no and cycled away threatening legal action, and yet I have no way of identifying him. There were no witnesses (apart from the cat) and there is no damage on my car. His bike didn't seem damaged, and he definitely was uninjured if his willigness to resort to violence was anything to go by.
Should I just put this down to experience, have I comitted an offence, and should I be preparing for a solicitors letter from some sort of blame/claim organisation?
Thing is I saw the cat clearly because of it's eyes reflecting and there were no lights / reflections in my wing mirror which I checked as I turned. The road is not well lit there.
My opinion is that he cat doesn't know it ought to wear reflective gear but the cyclist has no such excuse. (That's probably why my reply to his attitude was "well rather you than the cat!!"
This doesn't change the fact that he took my reg no and cycled away threatening legal action, and yet I have no way of identifying him. There were no witnesses (apart from the cat) and there is no damage on my car. His bike didn't seem damaged, and he definitely was uninjured if his willigness to resort to violence was anything to go by.Should I just put this down to experience, have I comitted an offence, and should I be preparing for a solicitors letter from some sort of blame/claim organisation?
Spookyman said:
Was returning home the other night, two juctions from where I live. I have to turn right then take first left a few yards further on. I have slowed, and am indicating right, start to turn. This is when something reflects in my headlights, coming towards my car from the pavement to the front left of my car. Realising they are the eyes of a cat I turn harder right to miss the moggy by inches and there is a clunk and a shout from the right of my car. I get out and there is and angry cyclist getting up. He is dressed in very dark colours, with absolutely nothing reflective and no lights on his bike. Turns out he was just trying to cut diagonally across the right/left turn that I was treating as a seperate right then left. He wasn't expecting my car to suddenly go sharper right and told me in no uncertain terms what he thought of me.
Thing is I saw the cat clearly because of it's eyes reflecting and there were no lights / reflections in my wing mirror which I checked as I turned. The road is not well lit there.
My opinion is that he cat doesn't know it ought to wear reflective gear but the cyclist has no such excuse. (That's probably why my reply to his attitude was "well rather you than the cat!!" This doesn't change the fact that he took my reg no and cycled away threatening legal action, and yet I have no way of identifying him. There were no witnesses (apart from the cat) and there is no damage on my car. His bike didn't seem damaged, and he definitely was uninjured if his willigness to resort to violence was anything to go by.
Should I just put this down to experience, have I comitted an offence, and should I be preparing for a solicitors letter from some sort of blame/claim organisation?
Yes. Expect a solicitor's letter shortly, as well as a visit from the police re failing to report an accident.Thing is I saw the cat clearly because of it's eyes reflecting and there were no lights / reflections in my wing mirror which I checked as I turned. The road is not well lit there.
My opinion is that he cat doesn't know it ought to wear reflective gear but the cyclist has no such excuse. (That's probably why my reply to his attitude was "well rather you than the cat!!"
This doesn't change the fact that he took my reg no and cycled away threatening legal action, and yet I have no way of identifying him. There were no witnesses (apart from the cat) and there is no damage on my car. His bike didn't seem damaged, and he definitely was uninjured if his willigness to resort to violence was anything to go by.Should I just put this down to experience, have I comitted an offence, and should I be preparing for a solicitors letter from some sort of blame/claim organisation?
Sorry.
I would probably report it to the police. There was an incident and you were assaulted (threat immediate of violence). The cyclist may also claim that he was injured / bike damages...
If nothing else, get a report in first with details of how he had no lights / reflective clothing, and on how he must have cut the corner to be on the wrong side of the road as HE hit you.
(I am a cyclist...but am also awate that as a cyclist I too have to obey certain rules of the road)
If nothing else, get a report in first with details of how he had no lights / reflective clothing, and on how he must have cut the corner to be on the wrong side of the road as HE hit you.
(I am a cyclist...but am also awate that as a cyclist I too have to obey certain rules of the road)
Not yesterday...?As a few days has elapsed I'd be tempted to say nothing, otherwise you could well be introuble for failing to report it. Are you sure there's no damage, even marks on your car?
If anything comes of it then, as you live near the incident, he could well have fallen off and simply noted your number as you drove past.
If anything comes of it then, as you live near the incident, he could well have fallen off and simply noted your number as you drove past.
tigger1 said:
I would probably report it to the police. There was an incident and you were assaulted (threat immediate of violence). The cyclist may also claim that he was injured / bike damages...
If nothing else, get a report in first with details of how he had no lights / reflective clothing, and on how he must have cut the corner to be on the wrong side of the road as HE hit you.
(I am a cyclist...but am also awate that as a cyclist I too have to obey certain rules of the road)
Get the c'nt done for assault - will trump any charges against you.If nothing else, get a report in first with details of how he had no lights / reflective clothing, and on how he must have cut the corner to be on the wrong side of the road as HE hit you.
(I am a cyclist...but am also awate that as a cyclist I too have to obey certain rules of the road)
Spookyman said:
Was returning home the other night, two juctions from where I live. I have to turn right then take first left a few yards further on. I have slowed, and am indicating right, start to turn. This is when something reflects in my headlights, coming towards my car from the pavement to the front left of my car. Realising they are the eyes of a cat I turn harder right to miss the moggy by inches and there is a clunk and a shout from the right of my car. I get out and there is and angry cyclist getting up. He is dressed in very dark colours, with absolutely nothing reflective and no lights on his bike. Turns out he was just trying to cut diagonally across the right/left turn that I was treating as a seperate right then left. He wasn't expecting my car to suddenly go sharper right and told me in no uncertain terms what he thought of me.
Thing is I saw the cat clearly because of it's eyes reflecting and there were no lights / reflections in my wing mirror which I checked as I turned. The road is not well lit there.
My opinion is that he cat doesn't know it ought to wear reflective gear but the cyclist has no such excuse. (That's probably why my reply to his attitude was "well rather you than the cat!!" This doesn't change the fact that he took my reg no and cycled away threatening legal action, and yet I have no way of identifying him. There were no witnesses (apart from the cat) and there is no damage on my car. His bike didn't seem damaged, and he definitely was uninjured if his willigness to resort to violence was anything to go by.
Should I just put this down to experience, have I comitted an offence, and should I be preparing for a solicitors letter from some sort of blame/claim organisation?
Your word against his? I wouldn't worry about it, serves him right, they are a pain in the ass cyclists Thing is I saw the cat clearly because of it's eyes reflecting and there were no lights / reflections in my wing mirror which I checked as I turned. The road is not well lit there.
My opinion is that he cat doesn't know it ought to wear reflective gear but the cyclist has no such excuse. (That's probably why my reply to his attitude was "well rather you than the cat!!"
This doesn't change the fact that he took my reg no and cycled away threatening legal action, and yet I have no way of identifying him. There were no witnesses (apart from the cat) and there is no damage on my car. His bike didn't seem damaged, and he definitely was uninjured if his willigness to resort to violence was anything to go by.Should I just put this down to experience, have I comitted an offence, and should I be preparing for a solicitors letter from some sort of blame/claim organisation?
He's at fault, but if you didn't take a snap shot with a phone / cam he'll be out buying some reflective gear and lights saying he always uses them.
I saw two lads coming down a hill the other night with no lights and dark clothing, I pulled over to their side of the road to make them stop. Give them a ear full and drove on.
As a cyclist I have NO SYMPATHY for idiots without hi-vis/lights in the dark, if you're on the road like that you are invisible in a mirror.
I saw two lads coming down a hill the other night with no lights and dark clothing, I pulled over to their side of the road to make them stop. Give them a ear full and drove on.
As a cyclist I have NO SYMPATHY for idiots without hi-vis/lights in the dark, if you're on the road like that you are invisible in a mirror.
Have checked and re-checked my car thoroughly. There is not so much as a scratch to the paint. Surely if I am supposed to report the accident so is he? He didn't ask me for my name or insurance, just said he'd give my reg no to the police. He never actually mentioned legal action, but with all those adverts on the telly I'm wondering whether to expect some. He cycled away at an impressive speed so I doubt anything other than his pride was injured.
r over !!I think you'd stand on the podium at some sort of award ceremony in the perfect world!
If they cycle around at night without reflective clothing on, they have only themselves to blame. The aggressive attitude doesn't help either - he can stick his self-righteous head up his own arse as far as I'm concerned.
Almost disappointed that I wasn't the one who hit him now!
Hope nothing bad comes to you - you should probably file something with the police asap though as it's a traffic incident.
If they cycle around at night without reflective clothing on, they have only themselves to blame. The aggressive attitude doesn't help either - he can stick his self-righteous head up his own arse as far as I'm concerned.
Almost disappointed that I wasn't the one who hit him now!
Hope nothing bad comes to you - you should probably file something with the police asap though as it's a traffic incident.
Brett928S2 said:
Hi 
Dark clothing and no lights or refectors on a bike in the dark = law of natural selection
All the best Brett
Agreed.Dark clothing and no lights or refectors on a bike in the dark = law of natural selection
All the best Brett
When I did my cycling proficiency test at school (I wonder if that still happens...) I was told it was the law that at dusk, bicycles must have front and back lights as well as side reflectors fitted to use the road.
I know this as my parents went out to buy these things to make sure I was safe and legal - I was 11.
I know this was a while back but i am sure the rules would not have changed!?
ineedagallardo said:
Vesuvius 996 said:
Yes. Expect a solicitor's letter shortly, as well as a visit from the police re failing to report an accident.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Helpfull as ever
Q: Knocked over a cyclist, where do I stand?
A: Next to an angry cyclist who's on the floor.
Munter said:
ineedagallardo said:
Vesuvius 996 said:
Yes. Expect a solicitor's letter shortly, as well as a visit from the police re failing to report an accident.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Helpfull as ever
Q: Knocked over a cyclist, where do I stand?
A: Next to an angry cyclist who's on the floor.
Edited by ineedagallardo on Monday 11th February 15:48
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