Cyclist tonight

[Gorja]

First AIBU so be gentle.

Driving with the kids to the supermarket tonight. Approached a stretch of road that will allow two cars past but is tight due to cars parked on the left. As I approached it a transit van came along the other way, so I stopped to wait for him to clear before going myself.

As I stopped I heard a thud, looked in the rearview mirror and saw a cyclist right up my bumper. Realising he must have hit me I got out the car to check he was ok.

When I asked him he said he was but said he couldn't understand why I had stopped. I pointed out I saw the transit so stopped and he should have seen my brake lights. He again said I shouldn't have stopped and it was my fault he had hit my car.

Now no damage to either of us but AIBU to stop to avoid hitting a transit van and surely he should have left more space behind me?

I'm nervous enough driving but this has really upset me.

Did you check your rear view mirror before you braked?

He wasn't paying attention, and was too close to you. Same as if he'd been in a car.

No damage done, don't worry about it.

He would always (legally) be wrong. You must always leave enough room between you and the car in front, so the car in front can perform an emergency stop without you going into the back.
If the police had required to attend its his fault.
Glad you are all ok though.

His fault - he rear eneded you. Yet another reason why cyclists should be insured.

YANBU

He is in the wrong, he should have been paying attention to you and your brake lights, and also he should have anticipated the road ahead and what you might do.

Doesn't mean all cyclists are bad or anything, but he was in the wrong. Did you know he was behind you? Did you look in your mirrors before braking and stopping?

If he hit the back of you he was too close to stop. What if you'd brake in an emergency for a child running into the road? His fault for not leaving a gap enough to stop.

I did look in the rearview mirror but it's an eight seat Toyota so limited view and lots of blind spots, but even if I had seen him, it was a question of brake and stop ( not an emergency stop, or even a hard brake) or carry on and end up head to head with a transit requiring me to reverse.

Had a glass of wine and still upset.

You had to stop or drive into a transit van - easy choice...

Whether or not you checked your rear view mirror is irrelevant.

The cyclist was too close/not paying attention hence not knowing why you'd stopped.

Jumping there was no damage, and insurance doesn't actually prevent accidents from happening.

If anything it's just another reason why you should pay attention to the road ahead of you, not just the car in front of you. Cyclist should have been more aware.

Gorja try not to bee too upset, you did nothing wrong. Hopefully the cyvclist will be more carewful and keep his distance in the future.

I love the way the cyclist said it was your fault he had hit you. What a cheek.

Did you swap details or anything?

No damage so didn't swap details.

I hate driving and this has knocked my confidence.

"he couldn't understand why I had stopped."

Surely that´s irrelevant & he should have been able to stop without going into you?

His fault, he should have been paying attention!

When we were kids, my dad was waiting at a level crossing for a train to go, it had gates and flashing lights so not easily missed, and we were hit in the back end. My dad got out and the bloke said "what did you reverse into me for?". I swear on my life!

100% his fault. Fear shunts (or knocks in this case) are always the fault of the person behind (or behind them). He should have left enough room to stop.
You were faced with an obstical and made the safest choice possible.

To pp, Is checking your rear view a normal part of breaking? (i can't actually think now I'm not sat in the car as I do it all naturally).

Actually I think it's very relevant diddl; If he couldn't understand it's because he wasn't anticipating the road ahead or was too close to the OP for good visibility.

OP, please don't let this knock your confidence. The guy is trying to blame you because he's a twat. He's probably fully aware that the accident was his fault but couldn't admit to making a mistake. Fortunately the majority of road users are decent people. Get back out there and concentrate on the nice ones!

He was in the wrong, YANBU

Definitely his fault. He should have thought about stopping distance. What if a child had run out in front of you, would he still have blamed you then?

Not your fault at all. Don't let it knock your confidence.

Thank you all, Husband working so nobody to ask here.

You have put my mind at rest.

In this instance I would say looking in you rear view mirror should be done before breaking, Trainee. And if you are regularly looking in your mirrors you would be aware the cyclist was behind you.

Still doesn't stop it being his fault, though.

" If he couldn't understand it's because he wasn't anticipating the road ahead or was too close to the OP for good visibility."

Yes-I suppose I was thinking that had he been driving he might not have stopped-therefore not "understanding" why she did.

He should have been ready to anticipate, of course-whether or not he "understood".

OP, sounds like he was angry cos he knew he'd made a mistake. Perhaps he'll be more careful in future. On the good side, at least he didn't damage your car (or himself goes without saying) as you'd probably have ended up paying for the repairs.

Yes it was his fault but I'd imagine the shock of running in to the back of you would have made him defensive. Everyone makes mistakes and luckily this time not much damage was done. Lots of serious cyclists are insured, it doesn't stop accidents happening.