Give way means just that

[parawolf]

Some people might recall I gave up the car for commuting to work. On the bicycle it was 30 minutes faster than the car, and 40+ minutes faster than the tram.

Anyway, the inevitable happened. Tommorrow it is likely i'll be lodging a TAC accident claim against a car that decided to run a give way sign without considering my actual proximity or speed. After slamming on both my brakes balancing the agressive speed reduction (I was doing ~42km/h prior to realising this guy wasn't stopping) and yelling at the top of my lungs for him to stop (which he finally looked my way and did brake) I ended up being hit by the front bumper and I now have a twisted ankle and bruised knee.

Now it was dusk when it happened, I had my lights on, 2 on flash, 1 on steady state pointing forward, and 2 pointing backwards. The lights (both front and rear) can been seen over 500metres away (bought based on this visibility tests from independent (not vendor) sources) so they are not 'dull' by any stretch of the imagination. So let me say I was quite visible.

I now cannot put weight on my left foot, unlikely to go to work tomorrow all because someone didn't obey 2 signs. 1 yellow caution sign for bicycles, and 1 give way triangle.

The guy nerve to yell at me for collapsing on his bonnet after t-boning me stating that "I should look where I am going". When I pointed out that there was a clearly unobstructed giveway sign and that he should have stopped to yield he got all defensive. I then pointed out that he shouldn't drive so rash with his entire family in the car (wife in front seat and two kids in the back).

He got back into the car without a sorry, once I got out of the way he sped off without checking I needed any more help (i got his rego).

This isn't a cyclist vs driver thread, nor do I want it to degenerate that way. I just want people to realise that there are other perfectly valid road users, drivers are required to observe road rules for all road users. Cyclists are valid road users.

The above is equally required of cyclists. I know many don't, but I do, in the hope that karma will rub off.

By the way... this happened while I was riding on a lit bike path which is down the middle of a divided road with tram tracks as well.

So please... give way at a give way sign, and look both ways, don't assume it is clear. I'm sure no-one wants a death on their hands - I count myself and fortunate to have gotten away with what I did.