middleagecyclist
Call me MAC
- Location
- Prestwich, Manchester
I was left hooked the other day and ended up on the road. I hit the brakes and avoided the car. Unfortunately, my bike stopped on the spot and I carried on over the bars!
Electric cyclist down in Bristol..
- Thread starter Arjimlad
- Start date
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I have read a number of articles in the German press about this subject in relation to electric bikes (which are becoming quite common in Germany now). The number of collisions between motor vehicles & pedelecs is soaring. One theory is that drivers are misjudging the speed of the approaching bike because they equate old man/woman on bike, or rider on sit-up-and-beg ("Hollandrad"), with slow speed, and pull out/left hook/whatever into their path.
Of course another contributing factor may be pedelec rider misjudging their own speed.
GrasB
Veteran
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
Yeah even on a decent aero 'bent you still know that you're going some because it still hurts!
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
Plus the wind starts getting rather loud!
GrasB
Veteran
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
I thought that was an indication of getting up to speed
Edwards80
Über Member
- Location
- Stockport, UK
All this strikes me as an odd argument, akin to saying it's more excusable to cut up a morris minor than a Ferrari because you don't expect one to be going as quickly.
At the point that the woman in the vid turns left, she should have looked and seen he was there regardless of how fast he was going/how fast he looked like he was going and waited.
At the point that the woman in the vid turns left, she should have looked and seen he was there regardless of how fast he was going/how fast he looked like he was going and waited.
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
Absolutely, not just the turning left, but the first instance, where she turns right and doesn't give way. Two not-giving-ways within seconds...
totallyfixed
Veteran
- Location
- The only county without a McDonalds
The argument that cars don't realise how fast bikes are going has been around for donkeys years and doesn't impress me much as an excuse from either side. I expect every car I see at a junction in front of me to pull out, it's called anticipation and self preservation. We shouldn't have to do it but that's life. Personally I wouldn't be riding at over 20mph in an urban area at that time of day past junctions and with a zebra crossing in front of me.
Depending on the situation I would. In the video in question, I probably would too. There is loads of room in his lane, even though there are parked cars. He's not in the door zone and is probably keeping the same speed as traffic around him. There were hatchings between lanes leading up to a right turn lane. Plenty of time to slow on the approach to the pelican crossing.
That said, I dont know the area and I wanst there at the time, so I couldnt say for sure.
totallyfixed
Veteran
- Location
- The only county without a McDonalds
I don't have to dice with traffic any more on a day to day basis so that probably makes me a tad more cautious, but it does seem to be the same people that have "incidents" with other vehicles, either that or the vast majority on here are keeping quiet.
If anyone is interested I was asked by the Police to drop the video into the Police station as the driver had reported the accident & was wanting to make a claim against me for damages to the car & of course she did not have my details & the officer dealing with this seemed matter fact & was doing his job.
I was able to drop a copy of the video into the not so local police station that was seemed to be the only one in Bristol that is open after 5pm as this officer would be on duty.
On arrival at the Police station I found that he was not available & left the video for him, I thought then I may hear back next week some time.
Two hours later I received a phone call on my mobile from this officer who started the conversation with these words " I viewed the video & had my boss view it, we have 3 counts of due care & 1 count of leaving the scene & we can do the following:
1. give a verbal caution
2. send her on a driving re-fresher course, which will cost her about £120
3. take her to court if you are willing to pursue this
not putting words into your mouth but I suggest the third option as I have not seen such bad driving for a long time "
I went for the third option & he then said he would contact her to make a statement under caution.
He then wanted to know where I got the camera from, what is was & how good it was to be able to have evidence like this.
I thanked him & he said he would be in touch during the next week.
15 minutes later the phone rang again & I heard this nice speaking policeman talking in a more aggressive voice saying " I have just spoken to Mrs. X & told her what was going to happen & now we may go for DANGEROUS DRIVING as I have never been spoken to like she did to me before, she is oblivious to what she has done, I am sorry to have to ring you again but if I can I will see you tomorrow at your shop for a statement"
All I can say is never piss off a copper that is holding a loaded video.
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
Damages to the car!! 
Hope she gets the book thrown at her, well done to the Policeman in question, is there any damage to you or the bike?
Hope she gets the book thrown at her, well done to the Policeman in question, is there any damage to you or the bike?
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
Yes, and perhaps to raise awareness among other road users they should have a fag packet fixed to foul the spokes and make that motor bike noise that we all enjoyed as youngsters.
Well maybe not.
