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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Riding bike in dark no helmet, hood up and earphones in

52 replies

mostlymindblown · 02/12/2016 19:07

DH has just gone out to meet his mates on bike dressed as per above.

On my insistence he does have crappy front and back lights (back light attached to back of said hood Hmm) so I guess at least he won't get fined by the police who are having a local crackdown.

AIBU to have berated him as he was leaving for not considering potential impact on

2yr old DS
Himself
Me

Should he have an accident because of this?

I might add he doesn't get paid if he can't work so even a minor accident could have serious financial impact on us (I also work but we need both wages)

OP posts:
mumonashoestring · 02/12/2016 19:11

Seriously? I see people doing that all the time but they're mostly 15 and trying to look 'cool' for their mates Hmm

Maybe it would help drive the point home if you also made sure he was signed up to the donor register so that whatever's left of him after an encounter with a speeding or careless driver is useful to someone...

Original poster
mostlymindblown · 02/12/2016 19:13

Ha - I might do that.

Maybe put it in his Christmas card?

OP posts:
MothertotheLordsofmisrule · 02/12/2016 19:15

Ds1 and his friend were constantly berated by myself and friends mum who was a nurse about helmets and being aware on the roads.

She offered to take them to the nearby brain injury rehabilitation centre to see the consequences of not wearing a helmet or being aware of your surroundings when on a bike.

Your DH has too much to lose.

DoomGloomAndKaboom · 02/12/2016 19:19

I nearly hit such a moron a few weeks ago, because I couldn't see him on the unlit road, and after the fright wore off, I was furious with him. Hopefully your dh will come home after a near miss and dress with consideration not only for his own safety, before he is badly hurt. And before too many other road users have been in my position, ie have a really horrible scare and think your dh is an utter fuckwit.

Arsehole I nearly hit was fine btw. I screeched to a halt, beeping, and he rode on, giving me the finger. Charming. I was turning right and he was coming towards me, I almost went into the side if him. Clearly I'm still angry about this!

Ensure your dh has a donor card and tell him why. I would be furious. Like, sling the bike in the canal, sort of furious.

Turbinaria · 02/12/2016 19:19

Would he drive a car with no headlights on in the dark? Cyclists in black with no or poor lights are virtually invisible in the dark; a massive danger to themselves and others

BikeRunSki · 02/12/2016 19:29

These cyclists really annoy me, it's so stupid and avoidable! I'm a cyclist and I light up at the merest hint of cloud!

MrsBernardBlack · 02/12/2016 19:33

It's very dangerous and highly irresponsible.

YADNBU

AtSea1979 · 02/12/2016 19:35

I would struggle to respect him and take him seriously after that.

Northernlurker · 02/12/2016 19:39

Well he's a total prat. Does he have redeeming features?
Cyclists with headphones in particularly annoy me. I cycle every day. You need to be able to hear the traffic to be safe.

Original poster
mostlymindblown · 02/12/2016 19:40

I agree with you all and will apply for a donor card for him tonight.

Its so frustrating because he just won't see it, he assumes I am somehow criticising his biking skills or something!

Even when I emphasise that you can be be the best cyclist/driver /skier in the world by you just can't account for another idiot

OP posts:
specialsubject · 02/12/2016 19:40

has he heard of the Darwin Award?

he's up for one if he keeps doing this. Ears blocked, not visible - I'm afraid this is very high on the dickhead scale.

TheInimitableMrsFanshawe · 02/12/2016 19:41

These twatbadgers infuriate me, they're everywhere round here. The personal impact if they have an impact and, as Doom quite rightly points out, on the poor bastard driving the car that hits them through no fault of their own.

Original poster
mostlymindblown · 02/12/2016 19:42

And maybe Santa should bring a bike helmet for Christmas.

(although there are already 3 of mine available to borrow including a full face for downhill biking so it's not like there are no options)

OP posts:
torroloco · 02/12/2016 19:45

Cyclists with headphones in are worse than the pricks who insist on driving with them in.

Hide his headphones OP? Wink

PoldarksBreeches · 02/12/2016 19:48

It's not about accounting for other idiots it's about that people driving big fucking cars won't be able to see him until it's too late Hmm

OverAndAbove · 02/12/2016 19:53

Along with his organ donor card, you should probably give him a will-making kit, if he hasn't already got one. And make sure you've got access to all joint money. Sorry if that sounds melodramatic but he's just increased his risk of dying early by about a hundredfold.

I sometimes see men (always men, before I'm picked up on for that) cycling like this and wonder if they have loved ones at home. And sometimes I don't see them, because they're, like, invisible... At least he has lights

SquatBetty · 02/12/2016 20:00

Anyone who cycles with earphones in has shit for brains IMO. Even in daylight.

specialsubject · 02/12/2016 20:48

What she said.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 02/12/2016 20:51

Does he drive? Can you send/ take him out for a drive after dark so he can see how tricky it is to spot cyclists?

LittleStripyBee · 02/12/2016 20:55

I once hit one of these idiots after he rode off a pavement in front of me. He was lucky, his bike not so, it was only the split second realision from me that he was there and about to shoot in front of me that meant things weren't worse. Shook me up for a while that. Your dh is an inconsiderate twat, I'd insure him so you and your ds are financially ok when he kills himself.

BoomBoomsCousin · 02/12/2016 20:59

Bike helmet I wouldn't care about unless he was going to be mountain biking down hills or something. But earphones, crappy lights and dark clothing at night is fecking stupid.

user1477282676 · 02/12/2016 21:04

It's terrible OP. We're a biking family and we ALL have hi vis vests, we all wear helmets and never listen to music. I hope you can talk some sense into him tomorrow.

Graphista · 02/12/2016 21:08

He's an idiot! And a selfish one too not considering the effects on you, your child, a driver hitting him living with lifelong guilt over doing so.

I'd take the fucking bike apart!

Yes present him as soon as possible with

A donor card
A will pack
Life assurance containing provision for his care in the event of him sustaining a brain injury (far more expensive to deal with than if he died actually).

During my nurse training I saw injuries sustained by cyclists not wearing helmets including a guy who was stationery at traffic lights. (Driver had a stroke causing the accident so while not the cyclists fault, he'd have been far less injured if wearing a helmet).

Dickish to wear headphones too.

TeaPleaseLouise · 02/12/2016 21:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

yeOldeTrout · 02/12/2016 21:39

Could Santa afford this helmet?

Not a substitute for proper lights, though!