BGS Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Yesterday afternoon, i was witness to a bike accident. It happened right in front of me, i was behind the car that hit the kid on his bike. The women slammed on brakes and came to a dead halt and thankfully because i obey following distances, i was able to avoid slamming into her because had i gone into her, it would have pushed her car onto the kid. Her car had already driven over his entire bike and through some divine intervention, the kid managed to get out of the way. He was hit by her bumper at an angle but is going to be fine. He was not in the direct path of her car, more to the side so he got bumped and not hit as such. This was on that dodgy road going towards Clearwater. That bend between the mountains directly underneath the UFO house. He was riding towards Clearwater and literally lost control of his bike and swerved into the path of the traffic and fell in the road. That road is narrow enough as it is... She was able to swerve thankfully else it may have been different (was no oncoming traffic). So naturally i stopped as my nerves were shot to ****, the kid was completely shocked and terrfied and he got up and walked further down the road to where there is a bit of a side grass patch. He just would not stay still even though i advised he stay still as you never know what injuries have occured. It is the most horrendous thing to witness. Even though the kid is going to be fine, it is awful to see happen. His bike is very bent and completely finished though. Kid was about 12, so hope he is ok.
Christopher Brunsdon Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Glad to here nobody was injured.
Just Keep Pedaling Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 The driver should slow down and anticipate the biker doing something unpredictable. In first world countries this is done. Glad the kid was ok.
Cheese Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 The driver should slow down and anticipate the biker doing something unpredictable. In first world countries this is done. Glad the kid was ok.Unfortunately this does not always happen. You must also think back if this is what you always do when you see somebody riding or walking on the side of the road. Cyclist must think and try to avoid dangerous roads, as indicated that this is a noarrow road. I have been in bunches where people skip red lights in training but it is not safe for the whole bunch to cross.This can easily cause some of the back of bunch to blindly follow bunch accross the red light into oncoming traffic.
DaLoCo Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 The driver should slow down and anticipate the biker doing something unpredictable. In first world countries this is done. Glad the kid was ok. Not always, but it is in the rules though. I got buzzed by cars everyday in Sydney, and i would be on the far left of the cycle lane. They would try and see how close they could pass to me, knowing they would lose their licences for that. I know it was intentional, because inevitably I would see the passengers looking back and laughing at me. Thankfully the only bad that ever happened was I got a massive skrik every time.
Tiny K Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 The driver should slow down and anticipate the biker doing something unpredictable. In first world countries this is done. Glad the kid was ok. but this is not a first world country.... glad the guy is OK. Hope he will get to ride again.
reteid Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 regard all other people on the road as fools and maybe you will stay alive.
andydude Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 The driver should slow down and anticipate the biker doing something unpredictable. In first world countries this is done. Glad the kid was ok. This might ruffle some feathers, but I don't agree! The kid lost control and swerved into the road (if that is the facts). It's an accident and I can't see any blame for the motorist. In all likelyhood, if she went faster she would've been past him by the time he swerved and nothing would have happened. Why everytime there is a cycling accident it's always the motorist's fault? I agree sometimes it is, but sometimes it's not! At least for driving you have to do some type of learning and get a license, but for cycling there is nothing. Phew my rant over... [picking up my shield]
MyGT Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 andy, i agree. i am glad that all parties involved are ok, but that road is narrow enough just for the cars,there should be no bicycles on that road.
I FLY Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I have been commuting by bike for a few weeks now and my observations are that generally most motorists give me space and consideration. I , in turn, try to be considerate and visible. The occasional guy in a SUV with an attitude, young women sending SMSs while driving,learner drivers and PUTCO bus drivers are the ones that I try to spot and give a wide berth. Taxi drivers have been outstanding so far. One pulled up next to me at robot and said that I should give him my bike. When I said it would have to be a swop for his taxi he laughed and drove off. Only aggro was when 4 low riding louts in a stuffed up audi shouted that I must get the F#@k off their road.They did not stop to continue their conversation
Mackie Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Why do parents allow their children ride their bikes on poor roads in the firstplace?The motorist cannot be blamed here, what if she killed herself by swerving for the kid on the bike? Would that still be her fault? Spare a thought for the driver, this will haunt her for a long time.
BGS Posted January 21, 2011 Author Posted January 21, 2011 This might ruffle some feathers, but I don't agree! The kid lost control and swerved into the road (if that is the facts). It's an accident and I can't see any blame for the motorist. In all likelyhood, if she went faster she would've been past him by the time he swerved and nothing would have happened. Why everytime there is a cycling accident it's always the motorist's fault? I agree sometimes it is, but sometimes it's not! At least for driving you have to do some type of learning and get a license, but for cycling there is nothing. Phew my rant over... [picking up my shield] Yip, kid lost control and swerved into the road and fell off his bike to the left (thank goodness to the left!!). He managed to get his right leg off over the bike before the car drove over his entire bike. It was the most frightening thing, regarding motor accidents, that i have seen in a long long time. Had she been going faster and missed him, it would have been me that hit him Had she not swerved out like she did, she surely would have ridden over the kid and bike all in one. And why was he on this road? Even i wont ride on that road, it is barely wide enough for cars, let along a bike as well. Nobody is to blame here, but still a question i cannot help but ask. Just hope he is ok as i think the fright of the whole thing was worse than what happened, but it could have turned out so much worse. And kudos to the two black guys who were behind me who stopped. Nice chaps who genuinely wanted to help but the kid was not hearing any of it I guess he has been taught not to speak to strangers, fair enough i guess. Just hope he wont use that road in future to ride on. It was just an eye opener is all, a scary one.
Choppie Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Not just a poor road... a VERY BUSY poor road it is.
javadude Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 That is a really dangerous road to be on. Even in a car I get nervous going round there, never mind on a bike. Anyway, glad the kid is OK.
Choppie Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Quite an interesting read if you have the time to read some of the comments by people regarding the cyclist vs motorists debate. http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/Letters/Motorists-be-considerate-20110120
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