This is why cyclists fear for their lives...Being annoyed is the least of it

[Headshot]

Here's a thread to balance out the "annoyed motorist" one.

 

My wife is a regular commuter - rides about 13 km a day 3-4 times per week to work and back. Its not far but does include some seriously busy roads around 715 am.

 

Today she was on her road bike bacuse her MTB has just had its shocks removed for a service. She always rides with a Lezyne dual LED flashing commuter light and a flashing dual LED tail light. 

 

Today, bright daylight, perfect weather. while heading up a gentle incline, an oncoming car simply turned into her while making a right hand turn to a side road. The car caught her rear wheel. This was all slow speed stuff so she was very lucky. She had seen the car turning and accelerated slightly or he would have hit her further towards the front of the bike. No  injuries and the bike is apparently fine although she tensed up and her neck is a bit sore. Driver, as is a matter of course, didn't even stop. The driver behind seemed to find the whole incident funny.

 

Just confirms the point I made in the other thread - you can be as visible as you like, ride in the gutter and even try and evade a car, but if its a careless fool behind the wheel you stand little chance. Wish it had been me, I would have chased the tool and made sure he never forgot the incident.

[Bankie99]

Geez what a total idiot for not even stopping. Karma will take care of him  

[bikebloke]

yeah come on people where are all the replies implying that it was somehow her own fault...............im waiting  

 

#douchebagmotorists

 

 

 

seriously ...no one ....the bikehub troll community really is disappointing me today  

[Icycling]

Glad to here that your wife is fine and I hope this does not deter her from commuting by bike as often as she can.

 

The irony is motorist always complain about traffic, yet a traffic solution like commuting by bike, seems to be completely disrespected way to often.

 

Maybe karma will will take it's course on this motorist.

[Capricorn]

did she note the registration number? if she does, i think he can still catch a serious wake up call when she lays a change of dangerous and negligent driving, and driving away from the scene of what I could consider an accident.

 

ek voel vere for as2hats like him as i do for self-indulgent red robot heroes on bicycles.

[Headshot]

She didn't get a reg number sadly. If he is a regular we may spot him again some time though. She won't stop commuting. There have been other less serious incidents over the last few years, but she keeps on going....

[Eddy Gordo]

Glad she ok Headshot.

Try and stake out the area to catch the guy again. Get his reg and lay a case. Maybe even start the case process in the meantime and inform the useless cops that you will be getting the reg number

[Bonus]

I'm not sure which is worse, the driver turning into her or the driver behind thinking it was funny. Both examples show what a sad state of affairs we are in :-(

[Hairy]

GOT CUT OFF TWICE YESTERDAY, ONCE IN THE MORNING ON A TRAFFIC CIRCLE AND ANOTHER AT AN INTERSECTION WHICH I HAVE HAD FAR TOO MANY CLOSE CALLS ON (THIS INTERSECTION IS THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS A DESIGNATED CYCLE PATH) ... CHOPS IN THE CARS DO NOT EVEN RESPOND WHEN YOU SHOUT OUT.

[bikebloke]

so heres a story ..

a month or so back a group of four in south subs of cape town (on way home on quiet suburban road) had the last rider of the group hit by a car making a similar turn .

The female driver of the SUV hit the cyclist hard enough to knock her over beside the car and then drove over her hand .

Then the SUV driver stopped and hung out her window and yelled abuse and then drove off.

The other members of the group where far to concerned about their down rider to worry about reg numbers (its the last thing you think of I know)

 

Motorists in western cape drive like selfish idiots (its because we have no actual working traffic police that aren't sitting behind a speed camera making money )

 

Never mind karma ,sometimes you understand these nutters on bikes who loose their marbles and assault  (pepper spray) a motorist.

 

Im not excusing assault im just saying that when it happens to you,you understand the emotions involved .

 

I offer no solutions because as the OP says "you can be as visible as you like, ride in the gutter and even try and evade a car, but if its a careless fool behind the wheel you stand little chance."

 

its sad man

[Bateleur1]

That is why I said in the other thread, we can do everything right, the attitude of motorists won't change.

 

Glad the Op's wife is alright.

[Bateleur1]

did she note the registration number? if she does, i think he can still catch a serious wake up call when she lays a change of dangerous and negligent driving, and driving away from the scene of what I could consider an accident.

 

ek voel vere for as2hats like him as i do for self-indulgent red robot heroes on bicycles.

 

Trying to report such an incident to the police could be very .. daunting ... if not traumatic/frustrating.  Once tried it.

[Odinson]

It all boils down to this: SA is not bicycle commuter friendly. End van prent.

[Pikey]

Glad the missus is ok...when the wheel turns as it does the driver will get his payback. Tw@t ????????

 

As the idiotic driver laughing behind,they just need a pk. What is even vaguely amusing about a cyclist getting knocked down. The mentality is mind boggling.

[worriesnot]

GOT CUT OFF TWICE YESTERDAY, ONCE IN THE MORNING ON A TRAFFIC CIRCLE AND ANOTHER AT AN INTERSECTION WHICH I HAVE HAD FAR TOO MANY CLOSE CALLS ON (THIS INTERSECTION IS THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS A DESIGNATED CYCLE PATH) ... CHOPS IN THE CARS DO NOT EVEN RESPOND WHEN YOU SHOUT OUT.

DIPSLICK...?

[Stretch]

She didn't get a reg number sadly. If he is a regular we may spot him again some time though. She won't stop commuting. There have been other less serious incidents over the last few years, but she keeps on going....

 

safe city cctv footage?

 

glad she is ok