gboy

So after being involved in an accident on August 1, being without a bike for the whole month, and then purchasing a whole new bike on Sept 1, I'm involved in another accident just today. The first accident involved me being hit going eastbound in the curb lane by a left-turning westbound driver. The insurance company still hasn't paid, even though the driver was charged with an illegal left-turn. Today's accident involved me being hit going westbound in the left-lane getting sideswiped by a left-turning motorist, who other drivers allowed through two lanes of moving traffic. The police officer said we were both at fault, and I agree somewhat, but what should I do in relation to insurance? The driver initially suggested no harm, no foul (as the impact tacoed my front rim and his quarter-panel, about equal to replace) but then when I took the bike to get inspected at the bike shop, the gear/brake hoods would take about $400 to replace as a set. Not to mention the computer at around $100 or so. Since initially, the total damage was estimated to be under $1000, considered unreportable in Ontario, and I'm somewhat at fault, what should I do?

genec

start walking. and avoid left turners.

lws

I'm not sure that you are legally at fault. I wouldn't take a police officer's word for it. Depending on the actual laws in Ontario, you might be (legally) in the clear.

What you were doing might have been unwise while still being legal.

gboy

I'll be bussing it for the next week or so I think, the pass came included with my tutition. I think I'll wait to see how much the damage is estimated to be, and then decide on a course of action from there. When I finally do get back on my bike, I think I may change the route, and always stay in the curb lane.

carless

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...56008?v=glance
Find out if your unlucky or need to learn how to ride. Seriously, do some thinking and find out.

cc_rider

Why did the police say that it was partly your fault?

Little Darwin

Bad news...

It doesn't seem you were hurt, so that part is good news.

Hopefully all your accidents are behind you... But, just in case, you may want to scour the thrift stores and classified ads, and stick to buying disposable bikes for a while.

John Wilke

Sorry to hear of your crashes (no such thing as 'accidents' ). Be thankful you're not worrying about hospital bills.

Perhaps you can find a beater bike for commuting? I would!

John Wilke
Milwaukee

gboy

Well, took the bus today, and it does take a little longer and requires more hassle than if I went by bike. And walking was a bit of a pain, but I did get down to the library after class to read Art of Bicycling. Well worth the read, and I realized a few things about my riding that may have contributed to the accident. When I get my bike repaired, I'll surely change my route to a less intense street (lots of lane conflicts and speed differentials) and give myself lots of buffer room.

carless

If you want to be a cyclist full time, you have to learn full time. Riding with the club, or a lonely bike path is easy. To deal with traffic, road hazards and drivers is very complex. It's not like driving, manual, test, parents teach you, you have to develop skills that they don't teach in classes. I have waited 10 minutes to cross a street, I have walked 1/2 mile on a busy street, I've also google mapped for 1 block between streets. The payoff is enormous, so keep doing it!

Roody

I agree with carless. If you like riding, keep it up. You don't sound very happy with the bus! Just learn the best ways, and don't do streets that are too complex for your own comfort. I think it helps if you tell yourself, "Just because I had two accidents, it does not mean I'm likely to have a third."

New2Cycling

That's one of the best books I've ever read on cycling.

gboy

I think my route was just full of conflict and I started to become just like the motorists I despise - those impatient, agressive, road-ragers that hog the road. So when I get my bike back, I'm changing my route to a roads without so many lane differentials and crossings so I can have some peace of mind. Oh, and maybe I'll relax my belief in vehicular cycling just a tad, as my rigidity in traffic doesn't seem to be serving me well.

sbhikes

That sounds wise. Cycling should be rewarding and fun, not stressful and aggravating (or injury producing). There's no reason to take noisy, busy, stressful streets if you don't have to. There's nothing to prove out there.

Brian

I'd see if it's possible to pursue the other insurance company. If it's anything like the system in the US, they can find liability at 50/50, and pay 1/2 your damages. When it comes to collecting from you, they probably won't have high hopes of collecting from a uni student that bikes to school. And they can't legally not pay you for your damages, even though they know you won't be paying theirs. Tough call. And yes, work on your traffic skills.

Helmet Head

I'm having trouble picturing what happened here.
What direction was the left-turning motorist who hit you travelling before he started his left turn?
The other drivers who allowed him to turn through two lanes of moving traffic... what direction were they traveling?

Brian

He wants to know what to do about his bike, not VC advice.

Helmet Head

Back off. I'm just trying to understand what happened.
I don't see you telling carless he's not looking for "urban cycling" advice. Why pick on me?

Brian

Because carless won't turn this into another VC debate. You still have that chip on your shoulder too. Getting bigger.

Helmet Head

So you will? Way to go.

I repeat... Back off. I'm just trying to understand what happened. Gboy can decide for himself whether to clear it up.

Brian

No. If you check, you will see that I've offered an opinion about recovering some of his damages. That's all.

[edit] Telling me to back off is both childish and futile.

Helmet Head

All you've done is offer an opinion about recovering some of his damages? That's all? I think not. Perhaps you need to check. I suggest you start with your non-sequitor in #17:

Brian

Yes, that was all the advice I had for him. Post 17 was a comment directed at you about not turning this into another VC debate. It must be past your bedtime, and you're getting cranky. Go to sleep.

Helmet Head

There is no question about what advice you may or may not have for the OP, Mr. "work on your traffic skills" (#15).

The issue is how you're turning this thread into a tangential debate. But you're right about it being late here. Good night.

Brian

You've turned it into a debate. If he wants to share the details of the accident, he will. He seems much more interested in getting back on his bike.