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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be hacked off with cyclists

145 replies

chickydoo · 10/05/2012 22:30

Well actually just one...but so angry.
Traffic was at a standstill this evening....I was going nowhere fast!
I was on the inside lane of a two lane road in a small town when I hear a massive crash. A cyclist had tried to overtake me on the inside, smacked in to my wing mirror, flew off his bike and landed on the road infront of me.
I had just started to creep forward in the traffic...thank God I slamed on my brakes, I could have driven over him. Thankfully he was fine. (though his Ego a bit bashed) his bike was fine, but my wing mirror totally trashed, looks like it's been ripped off.
I pulled in to a bus stop that was close to us. Looked around for a witness, but everyone just moved on and away.
In fairness to the guy on the bike, he did admit it was his fault, when I said it was going to be a costly repair he just shrugged. I suggested as it was his fault he should pay for the damage, he didn't respond. I asked for his details, he gave me a card with a number on, but now I'm wondering if it was any random card he pulled out his bag. There was no reply from the number when I tried to ring it an hour ago. I am so hacked off. I was doing nothing wrong, and I could have killed this guy, I may have a costly repair bill, just because he wouldn't wait his turn in the traffic.
In general I admire cyclists, I like the enviromental aspect, the health aspect, the fact it's cost effective etc etc....but AIBU to think they should be more bloody careful and not overtake from the inside!!!!!!
sorry just needed to let off steam

OP posts:
maybenow · 10/05/2012 22:33

YABtotallyU to make all cyclists responsible for the actions of this one.

And while the outside is often the safter place for a cyclist to be, the inside is where the cycle lanes are and so it can be difficult to move around the traffic to the outside.

Original poster
chickydoo · 10/05/2012 22:36

Yes but there was no cycle lane, he was going really fast. I don't blame all cyclists for the action of one...It was just him. Too fast, too impatient.

OP posts:
Original poster
chickydoo · 10/05/2012 22:37

If a car had smashed up his bike the story would have been very different

OP posts:
Sallyingforth · 10/05/2012 22:38

It's high time cyclists were required to have third party insurance.

ShellyBobbs · 10/05/2012 22:40

Be prepared for him next time with those caravan wing mirrors, you can clothes line him.

Sorry Blush Not much you can do if he doesn't answer the phone, but very annoying!

maybenow · 10/05/2012 22:40

"If a car had smashed up his bike the story would have been very different"

Yes, it would, he'd have been hospitalised at least, dead at worst.

HeathRobinson · 10/05/2012 22:40

Yes, I think that adult cyclists, at least, should have some form of licence and insurance. Twice recently, I have had an adult bombing down the pavement (steep hill) only just missing me. What if I'd just moved in front of him?

maybenow · 10/05/2012 22:41

I'm not defending him btw. he made a mistake, caused a very minor accident but he admited responsiblity and gave you his card... now you're getting all mad at all cyclists just beause he isn't answering his phone right now.. maybe it's a work number? give him a chance.

Original poster
chickydoo · 10/05/2012 22:42

Indeed maybenow, maybe then he would have realised what a fool he was being. Sad but true.

OP posts:
Original poster
chickydoo · 10/05/2012 22:44

Maybenow I am not getting mad at all cyclists, absoloutly not, I said that in my OP. (I too have a bike) I do think people who cycle everyday should perhaps have insurance?

OP posts:
Cromwell44 · 10/05/2012 22:46

Completely agree, I admire cyclists in general but am often appalled by their reckless behaviour, disregard for other road users and for pedestrians.
It's also galling that there is always someone who defends the cyclists behaviour not matter how wrong it is. Damaging a car is ok maybenow? If there is no room for a cyclist on the inside, they shouldn't force a way through damaging cars in the process.

ivykaty44 · 10/05/2012 22:48

So you were moving, yet you knew this cyclist was undertaking you? Why didn't you wait?

Original poster
chickydoo · 10/05/2012 22:48

Cromwell44
Thank you :)

OP posts:
HellonHeels · 10/05/2012 22:49

Many of us do have insurance. I have liability insurance through CTC membership.

In stationary traffic most cyclists will aim to filter to the front of the queue so that they can move off with less risk of being hit and injured by other vehicles.

Not excusing the accident, just explaining the rider's likely intention.

Original poster
chickydoo · 10/05/2012 22:56

ivykaty
I had just (I mean just) started creeping foward, moved no more than 2 feet, I was all but stationary, he literally flew at me from knowhere, he was going so fast, I did not know he was undertaking until he hit me. It was, according to him totally his fault. Think like the reat of us wanted to get home.

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 10/05/2012 22:58

but you must have checked your wing mirror before you moved so you would have known he was there before you started moving the car.

Original poster
chickydoo · 10/05/2012 22:59

Yes HellonHeels you are probably right. I am so glad to hear about your insurance. A really sensible thing to have...wish more did the same.

OP posts:
inabeautifulplace · 10/05/2012 23:00

Keep ringing the number and hopefully he'll answer. I sometimes don't answer unknown numbers, you could try sending a text? If he's got contents insurance then he could be covered for the accident under personal liability. I hope you get it sorted.

It's possible that he might have been in shock btw. I remember having a big crash where i got up, dusted myself down and felt a bit off so pushed the bike half a mile back to the car. Couldn't put the bike in the boot so rang a mate then got a taxi to a&e. 5 broken bones and a dislocated shoulder...

ivykaty44 · 10/05/2012 23:01

chickydoo - there are over 62 thousand cyclists with liability insurance

Original poster
chickydoo · 10/05/2012 23:03

ivykaty
Of course, but when the traffic is moving at 2 miles an hour (tops) and a bike is going at (20 or 15...not sure) the speed at which they come up behind you is incredible. Scenario, Look in mirror, nothing visible....creep....creep..cr..Bang.

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 10/05/2012 23:08

which mirror did you look in? The rear view mirror or your wing mirrors?

edam · 10/05/2012 23:08

I'm a pedestrian so hold no brief for either side. But when I've been a passenger I've often been amazed at the risks cyclists take in heavy traffic. Swerving around slowly moving vehicles, creeping up in the blind spots of lorries, undertaking, it's all so ruddy dangerous.

Was once caught in a jam by King's Cross and how the cabbie didn't kill one of the riders I do not know. Bizarrely I learned later the jam was caused by cyclists protesting about a dangerous junction where lots of cyclists had died in accidents. Odd way to protest, weaving in and out of traffic without a care for a blind spot or a thought about maybe creeping up on the inside of lorries not being the brightest idea since the wheel was invented.

Sparks1 · 10/05/2012 23:10

So you were moving, yet you knew this cyclist was undertaking you? Why didn't you wait?

Last time i looked undertaking was a traffic offence.

I applaud those cyclists who hold insurance, shame they're in the vast minority.

Driving in central London daily some of the worst traffic offences are committed by cyclists. Anecdotal as it may be i don't believe my experience is unique.

inabeautifulplace · 10/05/2012 23:10

I can't see how the cyclist could be defended. If you're filtering it's up to you to make sure the way ahead is clear and be prepared to stop fairly quickly. I've personally never liked filtering on the inside because there's no easy escape route and not much margin for error, as the OP shows. Why you'd want to do it at speed is beyond me.

Original poster
chickydoo · 10/05/2012 23:10

Ivykaty, that's fantastic, but just a shame this guy quite clearly didn't.
As I said in my orriginal post, not bashing all cyclists, just this one.
I will have to take time off work to get my car sorted, ( use my car for my job) & will cost me a fortune. Of course it was just an accident, these things happen, I am glad he wasn't hurt, that was my first concern, was just angry that it wasn't my fault, and yet I'm going to loose out. So many times we hear bad things that happen to cyclists because of cars, today it was the other way around.

OP posts: