Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Unusual Automobile Encounter

On my commute home this evening I had what I can only really describe as a nearly horrible incident with a car. I see all kinds of people posting about having cars turn in front of them, pass too closely, etc. This was nothing like that.

I had a car in front of me at an intersection. I was behind what I believed to be a reasonable distance (though I am probably going to re-evaluate that now). For some inexplicable reason this individual decided to stick the car in reverse and back up. I still have one foot clipped in, one foot on the ground, and then I just reacted and dove off to the side. I got out of the way, my MTB went under her car. She stopped just shy of where her rear wheel was going to start munching my front tire.

I got up, pulled my bike out from under her car, she looked at me in her rear view mirror, and drove off without a word.

Luckily my bike and I are just fine. The MTB already has some scrapes from other off-road tumbles so a few more scratches really aren't going to hurt it. I have a few minor bumps and abrasions on my right arm and leg, but nothing earth shattering.

I actually feel quite lucky, though I found it awfully rude that she didn't even feel compelled to roll down her window and ask if I was ok.

Inexplicable indeed. Glad you didn't get squished.

That sounds strange. I would have snapped a pic of her plates with my phone. I'm sure it all happened within a few seconds though. Glad you're ok.

I would call that hit and run. Good thing your ok.

I actually feel quite lucky, though I found it awfully rude that she didn't even feel compelled to roll down her window and ask if I was ok.

Rude? I'd call it "hit and run". Even if it was a completely brain-dead mistake, anyone involved in a vehicle accident must stop, verify lack of injury and damage before leaving the accident scene.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.52

what the hell....did you call the cops? that is definitely a hit and run...and what was she backing up for?????
I would file a report

WOW Glad u are okay!

next time remember to at least throw a shoe at the offending vehicle. things will never change if no one points out the infraction.

video evidence

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=511637

I had something very similar happen, only I was on the rewarding end of a windy day. I was riding along at 30mph and I see a truck ahead in the road. I thought no big deal, they are far ahead and I will probably not catch up and therefore no interference. Then as i get closer I realize the idiot is going about 20mph in the road in reverse. I came upon the truck pretty fast and had to veer off the road onto the grass. I stayed up on the bike but was really pissed, it ruined the best part of riding in the wind. I should have turned around and chased the jagoff but really didn't want to get into an arguement during my ride.

Now if i had gotten hit or brushed I would have threw my multi-tool through the window.

On my commute home this evening I had what I can only really describe as a nearly horrible incident with a car. I see all kinds of people posting about having cars turn in front of them, pass too closely, etc. This was nothing like that.

I had a car in front of me at an intersection. I was behind what I believed to be a reasonable distance (though I am probably going to re-evaluate that now). For some inexplicable reason this individual decided to stick the car in reverse and back up. I still have one foot clipped in, one foot on the ground, and then I just reacted and dove off to the side. I got out of the way, my MTB went under her car. She stopped just shy of where her rear wheel was going to start munching my front tire.

I got up, pulled my bike out from under her car, she looked at me in her rear view mirror, and drove off without a word.


Luckily my bike and I are just fine. The MTB already has some scrapes from other off-road tumbles so a few more scratches really aren't going to hurt it. I have a few minor bumps and abrasions on my right arm and leg, but nothing earth shattering.

I actually feel quite lucky, though I found it awfully rude that she didn't even feel compelled to roll down her window and ask if I was ok.

Next time, record the licence plate number on the car, if you have a cell phone with a camera, take a picture of the plate, then the nearest street intersection sign. Stay at the scene and call the police, your reporting a hit and run between a car and bicycle, if they ask about injuries, even minor ones should be included in a police report, and you should ALWAYS see a doctor. The bicycle should also be checked over by a bicycle mechanic.

The photographs, police report, doctors report, mechanics report are all evidence in a criminal investigation. A hit and run is a serious crime, a person can get a hefty fine and even jail time for that, not to mention if they can be identified, they are still exposed to liability.

Hmmm... helmet or bar cam... what a great idea.

My first thought is if someone realizes you have evidence of his/her culpability, s/he'd swipe the camera while you're lying on the curb/in the ditch.

Maybe a sign that says all video files instantly up-linked to website or something so they're not tempted to back right over you a few times... yes i'm paranoid.

Hmmm... helmet or bar cam... what a great idea.

My first thought is if someone realizes you have evidence of his/her culpability, s/he'd swipe the camera while you're lying on the curb/in the ditch.

Maybe a sign that says all video files instantly up-linked to website or something so they're not tempted to back right over you a few times... yes i'm paranoid.

The idea of hit and run, is that they hit you and then leave, your getting pictures as they are leaving. Of course most drivers upon realizing that they have hit someone/something will stop to check, they will attempt to provide assistance. Those drivers we are not worried about, you can usually get their information which should include name, address, insurance company and policy number at a minimum. It the useless turd who hits you, renders you injured and your vehicle damaged beyond repair, and then takes off, where you want to whip out your camera phone and get a picture of their plate so the police can track them down.

Here in Ontario, Canada the fine for hit and run is being doubled, the legislative changes are in committee now,
they are making a whole whack of changes to the Highway Traffic Act, and doing some pruning and cleaning up as well, this should see second reading in the next few weeks....

IMHO, Hit and Run should be considered the same as Attempted Murder (Vehicular) or at least Assault with Intent to Cause Grievious Bodily Harm (Vehicular).

IMHO, Hit and Run should be considered the same as Attempted Murder (Vehicular) or at least Assault with Intent to Cause Grievious Bodily Harm (Vehicular).

This is one of the things that really bugs me, if I stand at the side of the road with a gun and shoot at someone, I can expect to spend the next 15-20 years as a guest of the state. Yet, if I take my car and try to mow down a cyclist or pedestrian, then I can expect a $500 fine, if I get charged at all.

Personally I think that there should be no difference if you attempt murder with an automobile or an assault rifle, in the charges laid or the time served. As for a hit and run should be the same as what I think the penalty should be for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They suspend your licence for 5 years, then cancel it. If you are drunk and involved in a collision, with injuries, then your charged with Assault with Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm. If someone dies you are charged with second degree murder. Note that I have not used a vehicle as an escape clause here. If you drive drunk without a licence, your charged with Attempted Assault with Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm.

Let me explain what I mean by the suspension and cancellation. Effectively you can not drive for 5 years, as your riding a bicycle or taking the bus, you can think about why your there. Living somewhere, where you can't take a bicycle or transit, tough, should have thought of that before. Same goes for professional drivers, who have to give up a good job for a minimum wage one, well tough, you should not have been driving while drunk. At the end of your suspension, they cancel your licence, it's as if you never had one, there is no record retained that you ever had a licence, they erase your DUI conviction at the same time. Of course they can't erase other charges that you may be saddled with, like Assault, attempted murder, etc. Those you have to do the time for, and you have a permanent criminal record from those. However when you get out, you still have to deal with a cancelled licence. You can now go to the MOT or DMV and apply for a learners permit, take the written test, do driver training, do a road test. Then you can go through the graduated licence system, that is getting more popular in many places. No the insurance company can't refuse coverage or charge extra because of the DUI, but they can charge new driver rates, and your under new driver rules.