Commuting - Crashed with another cyclist

Hi there,
This morning like all mornings I was cycling in a new neighbourhood that is being built, with traffic closed, but you know, matter of factly, not to cyclists. In many months I've never seen another cyclist in this area that early. I was buzzing along when I suddenly see another cyclist sluggishly pushing a walmart bike across my lane. Whaaaaaw! I aim for the brakes... Clash! And I fall down at low speed, but not him. I quickly stand up, we ask each other if we are okay, and everything is fine as far as personal integrity is concerned. I assumed it was my fault, because I was riding faster than him, but we were both in a closed-to-traffic area. We check bikes, mine is undamaged, but his rear wheel can hardly spin. It is not really out of true, and the brakes seem ok. I offer him to pay for the repair, but he refuses. I then notice an East Europe accent. I insist: "Let's exchange numbers, and call to tell me how much it cost." But then he weaves off, wheel rubbing. My last words: "Are you sure?" Nod. I get to work and guilt invades me: this poor guy, immigrant, maybe an illegal worker in the new buildings, afraid of being caught if insurances are involved, and me with this faint are-you-sure, not insisting enough... What would you have done?

Meh I wouldnt lose any sleep over it.

Thanks, Therhodeo. I now see it more clearly. That's all that could be done.

Maybe the guy was legal and felt like he was just as much at fault as you were. You offered, he refused. Crappy situation but hey it happens.

Maybe the reason that he wanted to go on about his business is that he had just stolen that bike and was avoiding scrutiny.

Just a thought.

Ha! Reminds me of the bicycle rider in National Lampoon's European Vacation. :D

Ha! Reminds me of the bicycle rider in National Lampoon's European Vacation. :D

That was Eric Idle, wasn't it? Been a long long time since I saw that movie, but yeah, sounds like a similar situation. To the OP, there's not much you can do. If you're both okay, then that's that. And maybe his wheel was already rubbing a bit anyways...

Wow! They have walmarts in spain?

Hi there,
This morning like all mornings I was cycling in a new neighbourhood that is being built, with traffic closed, but you know, matter of factly, not to cyclists. In many months I've never seen another cyclist in this area that early. I was buzzing along when I suddenly see another cyclist sluggishly pushing a walmart bike across my lane. Whaaaaaw! I aim for the brakes... Clash! And I fall down at low speed, but not him. I quickly stand up, we ask each other if we are okay, and everything is fine as far as personal integrity is concerned. I assumed it was my fault, because I was riding faster than him, but we were both in a closed-to-traffic area. We check bikes, mine is undamaged, but his rear wheel can hardly spin. It is not really out of true, and the brakes seem ok. I offer him to pay for the repair, but he refuses. I then notice an East Europe accent. I insist: "Let's exchange numbers, and call to tell me how much it cost." But then he weaves off, wheel rubbing. My last words: "Are you sure?" Nod. I get to work and guilt invades me: this poor guy, immigrant, maybe an illegal worker in the new buildings, afraid of being caught if insurances are involved, and me with this faint are-you-sure, not insisting enough... What would you have done?


Huh? He was in your lane and you want to pay for his repairs?

My dentist was riding his bike on the MUP in Cleveland when another rider was coming down the hill around a corner, way too fast, and on the left side of the MUP when she hit him. He's had two shoulder surgeries since. It was clearly her fault. It's dangerous to ride or walk on the wrong side of the bike path.

The last time I checked Spain is in Western Europe, but what do I know.

I think you did what you could and by the tone of your post I think you're a person of good conscience. Don't worry yourself about it, you did the right thing.

I know you feel bad, but really you did offer help and that was quite generous of you to begin with. If you offer something, the ball is in the other person's court to take it or refuse it. Also, there is a good chance that the fix won't be very expensive anyhow and evidently the problem didn't bother the guy too much from the start. Relax and know that you're a good person for offering to help him when that wasn't necessarily required of you.

Maybe his rear wheel was already messed up, which would explain why he was walking it in the first place. I wouldn't worry about it. You did the right thing.

Don't worry. You offered, which is WAY more than most people would do.

Plus, yeah, maybe he stole it :p

Bike ninja!

Nice assumption. Accent = illegal immigrant.

Bike ninja!

Nice assumption. Accent = illegal immigrant.

I think his assumption was that the guy didn't want to get involved in an accident record or exchange information. That's more suspicious than you make it out to be.

I think you did the right thing. If the guy really thought it was your fault he would have accepted your offer. Unfortunately these things to happen.. Atleat there were not personal injuries.

Maybe his rear wheel was already messed up, which would explain why he was walking it in the first place. I wouldn't worry about it. You did the right thing.

This is what I was thinking. I don't believe that hitting someone will cause their hub to do that. He was probably looking for a dumpster for it.

Maybe the reason that he wanted to go on about his business is that he had just stolen that bike and was avoiding scrutiny.

Just a thought.

Worst yet, he killed the original owner and now he's free to ride and kill again.

Lotta points made here about maybe why, but here's a certainty: he was on a wal-mart bike -- those wheels warp if you give them a dirty look!