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Old 01-08-18 | 04:03 PM
  #53  
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Abe_Froman
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Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Chicago

Bikes: Marin Four Corners, 1960's Schwinn Racer in middle of restoration, mid 70s Motobecane Grand Touring, various other heaps.

Originally Posted by Slaninar


In my country it's usually the driver's responsibility, no matter what happens. For a cyclist/pedestrian collision - the cyclist gets it. I had a situation:

Riding slowly on a separate bicycle lane. An elderly pedestrian runs for a bus, across the lane, jumping between a tree line, hitting me sideways (my upper body took most of the hit). He fell, and started shouting, crying. I had called an ambulance, they picked him to the hospital. Then came the police and took my data. Another cyclst, that was riding behind me, stopped to give his report to the police, of how it all happened. There was no way for me to see, or avoid the pedestrian.

I was then taken to the hospital along with the bike Blood was taken, to test for alcohol. The final verdict was: if the pedestrian has any bones broken, the public prossecutor would press criminal charges against me, for causing "grevious bodily harm" - and I'd have to pay some good lawyers and forensics to avoid a severe fine. If there's no bones broken, then it's settled, no charges ?!?!?! From then on, I like bike lanes even less.
I've always thought this is the way it should be. Drivers should not only drive in a manner to avoid hitting cyclists or pedestrians, they should drive in a manner that they don't put other lives at risk even when it is the cyclist doing something stupid.

More dangerous vehicle is at fault in an accident, period. Cyclist shoots out in front of a car out of a blind alley and gets hit? Driver was going too fast.
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