To be hacked off with cyclists

[chickydoo]

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

Most riders will want to avoid roads wherever possible but sadly, it's nigh on impossible to hack anywhere without having to be on one at some point. Due to this, the liability cover is a pretty standard thing on policies.

jenfraggle, that's good.
We need this to be compulsory for cyclists

To be fair, cyclists are often jealous of car drivers which indicates he may have done this on purpose. I think cyclists should have a license to ride on the road as well as insurance for incidents like this.

To be fair, cyclists are often jealous of car drivers which indicates he may have done this on purpose

what? I'm starving.

what's a chelsea bun? is it a posh bun? or a smack in the face or something mean like that?

To update you
Managed to get hold of the cyclist. He has admitted fault. He will pay for damage.
He said he & bike not insured.
So all's well that ends well.

It's obvious. It's a well known fact. Jealous because they can't afford to drive or failed their test.
I remember this guy always used to go on about how lazy drivers were and how we polluted the planet and how there was no wonder everyone was fat and unhealthy - he used to cycle everywhere and only said this shit because HE couldn't drive. Pure jealousy.

He then passed his text (finally!!) and bought a car and guess what - he goes everywhere in the sodding thing. He never uses his bike anymore.

Babylon ^I'm not ashamed to say that I hate cyclists with a passion, especially the ones that ride side by side and won't go single file angry

I'm ready to be shot down for saying this, but until ALL cyclists start paying road fund licence, then I'm sorry but IMHO there isn't room for them on the roads - and certainly not on pavements angry

I find some of them dangerous, careless and sometimes just utterly stupid in their quests to make better their carbon footprints^

Babylon I'm pretty sure you are just the kind of driver that I'd hate. Bet you have a 4 wheel drive eh? I'm not a cyclist, I'm a driver. The roads are there to be shared, unfortunately there are some arrogant and ignorant drivers who think they rule the roost.

passed his test, not text.

Cyclists are a pain in the arse. They think this 'but we're more vulnerable' bollocks gives them the right to piss off other road users and it's selfish. Even the ones that do follow the rules of the road will force cars to dawdle along behind them on narrow bendy country lanes for miles, when they could just show a bit of consideration and wait the second it would take for motorists to pass them.

They should be just as liable for accidents as drivers, as should horse riders. I cannot understand that the law of the land currently allows cyclists to cost other road users a fortune in damages to their personal property when they are at fault with absolutely no comeback. It's crazy. People who use the roads should have to be registered, have visible and recognisable registration details, full insurance and they should have to pay tax. The fact that some road users have to do this already by law and some don't is discrimination, and when I become boss of the world, this is the first thing I would fix.

Insurance should be mandatory for cyclists. The amount of people I know who have had their cars damaged by a cyclist and then had to pay out for the repair themselves.

Why don't they pay road tax too? They're on the road are they not?

I have made mistakes - but then, I'm insured.

yeah because all of mumsnet is backed up with scientific study

Bottom line is, if you want to be selfish and cycle, you should pay road tax and be insured like the rest of us.

Wow ShutUpMeg, how the hell do you know that little fact?!?!?!

I cycle to work every day. DS cycles to school. DP cycles to work.

We own three cars. We choose to cycle to work. Certainly not jealous of the motorists.

ah, one friend. Yes, that makes all of us jealous

Does he whizz through red lights too Yakbutter?

He may have a point about the bum and legs but I stand by my opinion!

These stupid threads just highlight how many evil selfish people there are out there that think it's their god given right to drive around without any inconvenience whatsoever.

Yes, let's just ban cyclists from cycling. Let's make bikes illegal. That'd make life easier for all.