Accidents!

[manboy]

It seems like I've had a rather high number of run-ins with cars lately.

The other day I was riding on my fix. As I passed a left-turning car on the right with more than ample room, the car behind that one got tired of waiting, went around, and inadvertently shoved me (physically) into the curb. Amazingly, as my pedals were whacking the curb, I managed to stay upright. The guy gave a big "sorry" wave when he realized; I saw it as a mistake and decided not to bother with it, besides giving an angry stare.

Tonight I was riding my girl's bike and pulling my rain bike beside me. As I was turning left into the road (already in the middle of the street), a pickup truck pulled out from a parking lot across the road and started heading straight for me. I yelled and braked, but we collided head-on. I started pitching a fit, and we got into an argument with him telling me to get out of the road and me telling him that I was allowed to be in the road and was there first. I went to look at his license plate (VA - RATTSRD), and he drove off as I screamed the number. Luckily there was no bodily or mechanical damage. I thought about doing something about this one, but I didn't have a light (feel stupid!), and I'm not hurt, so I don't see much of a point.

This comes directly after my girlfriend destroyed my other bike (coaster brake cruiser/city bike) after nearly getting hit by a car.

[collegeskier]

I would call the police, if he did not wait for you to check your bike out or anything. Basically you have to agree that he can leave the scene otherwise it is considered hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident. Even if you are at fault you get a ticket he gets a criminal charge.

[icithecat]

'Tis the season to drive crazy. Be carefull all.

[operator]

No witness, no case.

[supcom]

No harm, no foul.

[erraticrider]

No witness, no case.


bull ****.

[vincenzosi]

I'd say report it. Let the police decide if there's no case.

[wildjim]

It seems like the same story for everyone cycling with traffic these days as we are hit from behind, bullied off the road or assaulted by the vehicle and driver and maybe killed.

Although it is “not” my nature to yield my right of way. I am thinking that in the interest of safety and health I will yield no matter what.

I ride in fear whenever my 15 year old daughter is with me. It’s not fun cycling this way.

[sggoodri]

As I passed a left-turning car on the right with more than ample room, the car behind that one got tired of waiting, went around, and inadvertently shoved me (physically) into the curb.


How did a straight-traveling driver not see you before the collision? Did you pass the straight-traveling car on the right? I try to avoid this, in case the driver decides to move to the right or to turn right.



Tonight I was riding my girl's bike and pulling my rain bike beside me. As I was turning left into the road (already in the middle of the street), a pickup truck pulled out from a parking lot across the road and started heading straight for me. I yelled and braked, but we collided head-on.[...snip...] but I didn't have a light


I suspect the lack of a headlamp is why the driver didn't see you in time to prevent a collision. Another possibility is that he didn't see you signal left, which is always a problem at night, but probably impossible if you were busy using both hands.

The links below offer advice on how to greatly reduce the chance of collisions in traffic.

http://humantransport.org/bicycledriving/library/lights/lights.htm
http://humantransport.org/bicycledriving/gallery/index.html
http://humantransport.org/bicycledriving/roadvogue/index.html
http://humantransport.org/bicycledriving/

[webist]

Great links. A good refresher for all of us.