Knocked down by a taxi this morning

[stratus5]

I have been cycling on and off for years, but this morning a taxi finally got me after plenty of close shaves ...

 

I had turned into Century City and was entering the traffic circle to turn right to get to the virgin active gym. The circle consists of two lanes; as I enter the circle I always split the two lanes, so that cars on my left can exit left and cars on my right can continue round the circle. I don't mind if a car on my left continues round the circle either as I have plenty of options since we are both going the same way... Cant think of any other way to go safely around these damn circles ...

 

I had even indicated nicely and the right hand double lane was clear for at least 50 meters behind me as I entered the circle ... as I was about halfway around the circle a taxi overtook some cars behind me and came speeding up the inside (right hand) lane and at the last moment tried to exit left by cutting across the outside lane. I can remember absolute surprise. Never in my life did I ever expect a vehicle to try and go around me when I was already crossing the second of the two lanes on my left.

 

I don't know how the f#$% he expected to go around me ... maybe he misjudged my speed, but thankfully he missed me with the front of the taxi and doing about 60 km/h turned across me, sideswiping me off the bike. He caught my hip and handlebars so I was spun off the bike, but luckily had a rucksack with all my clothes in etc which took most of the impact.

 

I was not badly hurt. Some bruising etc and the adrenaline took most of the pain away, but its a bit more eina now.

 

There are no real lessons to be learned, nothing I can suggest to make cycling safer. **** just happens sometimes.

 

The taxi did stop ... took him nearly 50 meters ... Whilst sprawled on the tar I thought I may have damaged my arm and was holding it protectively, so of course the first thing he did was grab it and give it a shake to see if it was ok. I gave him a piece of my mind and asked what he thought he had been doing, but got the blank look.

 

Thanks to everybody that did stop and took down the taxi details etc. The cameras at Century city also caught the incident on film. I don't think it has any value, but if anybody wants some film to show the dangers cyclists face, I guess we could get a copy ...

 

Because my bike is OK (scratch or two on a mountain bike) and I don't have any injuries that wont heal in a few days there was no reason to follow it up any further with police reports etc, but it does kind of leave one lusting for some sort of revenge

[karoo1]

I have been cycling on and off for years, but this morning a taxi finally got me after plenty of close shaves ...

 

I had turned into Century City and was entering the traffic circle to turn right to get to the virgin active gym. The circle consists of two lanes; as I enter the circle I always split the two lanes, so that cars on my left can exit left and cars on my right can continue round the circle. I don't mind if a car on my left continues round the circle either as I have plenty of options since we are both going the same way... Cant think of any other way to go safely around these damn circles ...

 

I had even indicated nicely and the right hand double lane was clear for at least 50 meters behind me as I entered the circle ... as I was about halfway around the circle a taxi overtook some cars behind me and came speeding up the inside (right hand) lane and at the last moment tried to exit left by cutting across the outside lane. I can remember absolute surprise. Never in my life did I ever expect a vehicle to try and go around me when I was already crossing the second of the two lanes on my left.

 

I don't know how the f#$% he expected to go around me ... maybe he misjudged my speed, but thankfully he missed me with the front of the taxi and doing about 60 km/h turned across me, sideswiping me off the bike. He caught my hip and handlebars so I was spun off the bike, but luckily had a rucksack with all my clothes in etc which took most of the impact.

 

I was not badly hurt. Some bruising etc and the adrenaline took most of the pain away, but its a bit more eina now.

 

There are no real lessons to be learned, nothing I can suggest to make cycling safer. **** just happens sometimes.

 

The taxi did stop ... took him nearly 50 meters ... Whilst sprawled on the tar I thought I may have damaged my arm and was holding it protectively, so of course the first thing he did was grab it and give it a shake to see if it was ok. I gave him a piece of my mind and asked what he thought he had been doing, but got the blank look.

 

Thanks to everybody that did stop and took down the taxi details etc. The cameras at Century city also caught the incident on film. I don't think it has any value, but if anybody wants some film to show the dangers cyclists face, I guess we could get a copy ...

 

Because my bike is OK (scratch or two on a mountain bike) and I don't have any injuries that wont heal in a few days there was no reason to follow it up any further with police reports etc, but it does kind of leave one lusting for some sort of revenge

[bikemonster]

Because my bike is OK (scratch or two on a mountain bike) and I don't have any injuries that wont heal in a few days there was no reason to follow it up any further with police reports etc, but it does kind of leave one lusting for some sort of revenge

 

No!

 

Report the mofo! Even if all he gets is a warning letter, we can hope it makes him a bit thoughtful.

 

And if not, there will be a mark against him if he ever does something so stupid in future.

 

More importantly, I'm glad you're ok.

[Capricorn]

jeez holyshitstix. SUper glad u ok, but i'm horrified at this f'ing asshat..

 

i'm very surprised u didnt lay some sort of charge, and u have footage to boot. how do things come right if perps are not held accountable?

Edited October 22, 2010 by Capricorn

[karoo1]

glad that you are o.k. and not hurt

[Spat]

Its just a matter of time till they get us.

 

I have been comuting to work as well this last couple of months and have had some close shaves with the taxis.

 

Glad you ok and was not more serious.

[MariusL]

Glad you're oka stratus - even thou you weren't too badly hurt, the mental scars are usually the worst.

[dirtrider]

Every accident MUST be reported !!

 

Luckly you ok

[EigerSA]

I had a really close incident yesterday when a taxi pulled in front of me, I managed to stop in time though but hy heart rate was seriously up there. I went round to give him a piece of my mind but got the blank stare as well which totally took the wind out of my sails. Afterwards I thought to myself I should've kicked the taxi with my cleats, really dinged it and then claimed it was because he pulled in front of me. Guess it's bound to happen at some point if you ride in traffic.

 

Hope it doesn't put you off and you're okay.

[Trubie]

glad you ok buddy, sorry to read about the incident

be careful in future - not that you werent now........

[Capricorn]

and yes we want footage.. WE DEMAND FOOTAGE!

[stratus5]

jeez holyshitstix. SUper glad u ok, but i'm horrified at this f'ing asshat..

 

i'm very surprised u didnt lay some sort of charge, and u have footage to boot. how do things come right if perps are not held accountable?

 

That's the frustration, I don't think there are any meaningful charges that would stick ... so at most he may get cited for reckless driving ... I cant see the cops with there current inefficiency/workload etc following this up. If I had broken bones etc, it may have had more weight, but it kind of pales into insignificance compared to the murders rapes etc that they don't follow up successfully unless you are somebody important/famous.

 

Would it actually bug a taxi to get one more reckless driving citation? Had this been a first world country, then yes could have got the buggers license suspended etc, maybe a bit of money for pain and suffering .. a new bike would certainly make me feel better

[Taps]

You MUST report it, just in case something currently not noted crops up, otherwise you're stuffed.

[stratus5]

As an aside ... adrenaline is wonderful stuff. I went to the gym and showered etc, but have a short ride to the office after that...

 

Normally I cruise slowly in so as not to start sweating etc again, but this morning I had to hold myself back cos the body just wanted to go go ... ride the frustration and pain out of the system I guess.

 

Its worn off now.

[stratus5]

You MUST report it, just in case something currently not noted crops up, otherwise you're stuffed.

 

 

Physically I know I am OK. Bit of road rash and a bruise or two, but I will try and get a copy of the CC TV footage just in case.

[LeTurbo]

Blimey! Thank the stars you're OK though. At least that taxi did stop, and the guy returned to demonstrate his limited medical knowledge - but we know that many would have simply driven on.

 

My strategy at a circle is to a) avoid it, or B) occupy the whole lane, as though I were a car or a motorbike, so that I'm more visible and cars can't try to "slip past". Touch wood, it's worked so far.