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.

[Deadman]

I am glad you are ok, and can't believe the guy sped off - that's horrible. He's going to be a great role-model for his family...

hope it all works out

[Falcon Coupe]

He will be charged for leaving the scene and failing to give way, notify the police, his attitude deserves it.

[fiery]

There are a lot of people that don't follow road signs and the 'give way' one is the worse abused road rule signs ever.
Not just for push bike riders but for a lot of road users.

Glad that you are ok and I guess you can be thankful it wasn't any worse.

He definitely needs to be reported though, what a terrible attitude.

[pertuan]

Damn man, good to see that you're ok. I agree that drivers should realise that there are other road users out there. I used to not look out for riders but ever since I nearly got hit by a driver turning left through a bike lane which I was riding in, I've been looking out for riders and giving them alot more room and driving slower around them. Again, good to see that you're alright. Hope your foot feels better soon.

[parawolf]

Thanks for the postive words guys. I notified the police the second he drove off while I was sitting down nursing my ankle. I hope his wife slaps him about for being a fool too

[conordec]

did you call the cops straight away?

[deesun]

Irrespective if I was in the right or wrong theres no way I would be yelling at someone I've just almost run over. What a twat. I hope the copers throw the book at him. Was there any witnesses because seeing as he drove off it may be a case of your word against his. Hope not.

[FPV8U]

What as A$$, glad you wern't hurt.

[parawolf]

Originally Posted by deesun

Irrespective if I was in the right or wrong theres no way I would be yelling at someone I've just almost run over. What a twat. I hope the copers throw the book at him. Was there any witnesses because seeing as he drove off it may be a case of your word against his. Hope not.

There was a cyclist travelling about 100metres behind me that lives up the road from me that helped me get home, I know him personally - we both use the same park to walk and socialise our dogs. So yes I do have someone that could speak on my behalf. Also his female companion would have to lie, and I might have left a dint on the bonnet. I'm 6'2 and 83kg so that could have happened too.

Just gets to me occasionally the number of people that just cannot comprehend the speeds that cyclists can travel at on the road. I am an untrained cyclist, carrying my laptop too and from work (oh crap I hope that is okay) on a moderate bicycle. I can break the speed limit on a flat road if I wanted to on my commute (yes more than 60km/h) however I couldn't maintain it for much more than 30 seconds.

[dansedgli]

Glad to hear your okay, Its unbeleivable how many cars ignore bikes and bike lanes.

I "borrow" the bike lane on wellington road from time to time and had tonnes of close calls from cars not looking. I have a motorbike which is bloody loud and my headlights are stuck in the on position permanantly. Compared to a pushbike Im heaps more visible but I still nearly get hit quite a lot. Im surprised there arent more bicycle injuries.

These drivers shouldnt be allowed on the road. I hope the cops throw the book at him!

[Falchoon]

I commute to work on my bike too and have near misses with cars nearly every day. I did get knocked off the bike once - by a woman driving a nice original XY GT! Nearly worth getting hit as she gave me a ride home in it!

I treat car drivers as the enemy these days when riding and just presume that they won't give way and am always looking for an escape route in case the worst does happen.

Packs of fat middle-aged dog walking females on bike paths are just as dangerous. They won't move to one side the path (pick a side, any side...), they are supposed to be "shared" paths, don't think they understand the concept of "sharing". :

[TotalDriver]

Originally Posted by Falchoon

Packs of fat middle-aged dog walking females on bike paths are just as dangerous. They won't move to one side the path (pick a side, any side...), they are supposed to be "shared" paths, don't think they understand the concept of "sharing". :

Especially their food it seems

Glad to hear you're o.k.

Make sure you write the whole incident down, word for word, whilst it's still fresh in your mind.

If it goes to court, it could be in a year or two. You need to have the facts straight. Get the eyewitness to verify the statement and co-sign it too.

Cheers,

[Scott]

Tell me he was in a Commonwhore and my night will be complete.

[parawolf]

Originally Posted by GMH8TR

Tell me he was in a Commonwhore and my night will be complete.

Saab... sorry

[RG]

Originally Posted by parawolf

Saab... sorry

Even worse lol.
Glad to hear that your'e ok, but what a tosser for driving off, that'd be an immediate admission of guilt by leaving the scene of an accident and not rendering assistance. He'll be charged with hit run amongst other things so hopefully he'll have some "time off" from the roads to think about his actions.

[qwigybo]

isn't saab GM owned

[OzJavelin]

I've head this story so many times in the last few months from motorcyclists and bike riders ... it must be a real jungle out there? I don't tend to see many bike riders in my travels (obviously no one else SEES them either), but one thing I know from people who insist on walking about in the dark, is that you need to be seen .. wear heaps of reflective stuff, have a light, etc, etc. I live in a street where it's 70km/h and people insist on walking on the road in the dark wearing black .. I don't tend to see them until the last 100feet or so ..
Anway, hope you get better, and hope everyone takes your advice .. lets just watch what we are doing ..
Rod.

[Simmo]

oh oh i really hope its our melbourne manager. he drives and saab and i want him to go away so both our problems could soon be solved. apart from that mate i feel for you even though i dont ride a bike. i'm always wary of cyclists, espcially since i work in the valley [close to the city for you non-brisbaneites] and they are everywhere. almost daily i see some scary situations, mostly involving foolish women in small cars. glad to hear you lived and kinda walked away.

[LTDHO]

It works both ways mate. The amount of times I have seen hits and near misses due to cyclists who think signs or traffic lights are a "suggestion", is unbelievable.

[Walkinshaw]

I ride to work every day, and im sure atleast once a week i come with in a bees nut of stoving in the side of somones car, and somones face. People see a pushie and think, oh he's doin 15kmh. Why dont people open there eyes to the fact that they may be doing 50 in a 50 zone, just like every other car.

A friend was in the same position as you mate. Caused $500 damage to the guys car, and the guy had the nerve to offer him $500 to buy a new bike. He shut up very quickly when anounced the bike was just shy of the $10k mark and a writeoff.

[whiskieboy]

parawolf, welcome to the land of bike riders walking wounded, it hurts on more than one level doesnt it? I really think that every one should be made to ride around town on a bicycle for a day, at least once a year, before they renew your license, at least then they might have some idea. Glad to hear your OK, yes I've rolled across a few bonnets in my time, the MAD rush to get out of work here at Ford Geelong can be frightening at times.

[pauljh74]

There seems to be a number of people who don't know what "give way" means. Driving along with about 3 car lengths to the car in front at 80km/h, someone in the next lane will indicate and immediately change lanes because there is a "gap" for his car to fit into - certainly not a safe gap. They think that because they indicated, it gives them the right to cut you off. Then there's people who go from the slip lane to the left lane, then while still accelerating, move across into the middle lane and in my path while travelling markedly slower. I have to hit the brakes and this results in me lighting up their car with my high beams.

While cycling I tend to restrict how much I ride on main roads because quite often in the past I have been passed with a couple of inches to spare - a couple of times to the point where I instinctively removed my right hand from the handlebars as I thought I was about to get hit. If a vehicle can't pass a cyclist in the lane without leaving at least 1 foot from their mirror to the rider, then they need to change lanes. If you can't pass safely, don't overtake at all.

Originally Posted by pauljh74

If a vehicle can't pass a cyclist in the lane without leaving at least 1 foot from their mirror to the rider, then they need to change lanes. If you can't pass safely, don't overtake at all.

Thats where a closed fist on a side mirror works well.

[351ciofgrunt]

I used to ride a pushy to school in high school, almost got knocked off many times but somehow survived. now probably due to those memories i'm always respectful of other road users...unfortunately theres always that percentage of road users that are always gonna be dumb a$%es

[parawolf]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

It works both ways mate. The amount of times I have seen hits and near misses due to cyclists who think signs or traffic lights are a "suggestion", is unbelievable.

I agree 100%. A road sign is for all legal road users. I often chastise my fellow cyclists that roll through a ped crossing red light or they turn right at a red light when we meet up at the next set of lights at a major intersection. It usually goes along the lines of "why don't you roll through this red light?" or "see if you were a better cyclist you could stop at the red lights and still be at the same point in time".

Mostly it goes ignored.

While cycling I tend to restrict how much I ride on main roads because quite often in the past I have been passed with a couple of inches to spare - a couple of times to the point where I instinctively removed my right hand from the handlebars as I thought I was about to get hit. If a vehicle can't pass a cyclist in the lane without leaving at least 1 foot from their mirror to the rider, then they need to change lanes. If you can't pass safely, don't overtake at all.

Now this is why I was on the shared pedistrian/cyclist path in the middle of the major road.

You develop a 6th sense after riding with traffic for a while. You can just 'tell' from the driver if they are going to do something stupid. It is impressive the match up between drivers that give other road users a close call and the drivers that are on a mobile phone. During daylight hours it is nearly 100%. After dark that drops off significantly, however it goes to show that people probably don't have enough concentration driving at night as they should.

I got a telephone call from the police today. The guy is getting a sizable fine and losing his licence for 3 months as he plead guilty by proxy. I was told his wife answered the door she dropped him in it.

Fortunately its just lightweight soft tissue damage on my ankle. Had a quick exam by my doc this morning before going into work and i've got it strapped up and putting ice on it every few hours. I won't bother preceeding with legal action or any other sort of claim. My bike is okay. I'm quite okay (or will be 100% in a week) and the dudes wife admitted guilt on his behalf (acted as my supporting witness!) and he will cop a big enough penalty.

Just a few other sore joints appearing today - delayed soreness. Shoulder, hip, bruises on my right leg. Ah well - least i'm alive and healthy right?

Originally Posted by parawolf

I agree 100%. A road sign is for all legal road users. I often chastise my fellow cyclists that roll through a ped crossing red light or they turn right at a red light when we meet up at the next set of lights at a major intersection. It usually goes along the lines of "why don't you roll through this red light?" or "see if you were a better cyclist you could stop at the red lights and still be at the same point in time".

Mostly it goes ignored.



Now this is why I was on the shared pedistrian/cyclist path in the middle of the major road.

You develop a 6th sense after riding with traffic for a while. You can just 'tell' from the driver if they are going to do something stupid. It is impressive the match up between drivers that give other road users a close call and the drivers that are on a mobile phone. During daylight hours it is nearly 100%. After dark that drops off significantly, however it goes to show that people probably don't have enough concentration driving at night as they should.

I got a telephone call from the police today. The guy is getting a sizable fine and losing his licence for 3 months as he plead guilty by proxy. I was told his wife answered the door she dropped him in it.

Fortunately its just lightweight soft tissue damage on my ankle. Had a quick exam by my doc this morning before going into work and i've got it strapped up and putting ice on it every few hours. I won't bother preceeding with legal action or any other sort of claim. My bike is okay. I'm quite okay (or will be 100% in a week) and the dudes wife admitted guilt on his behalf (acted as my supporting witness!) and he will cop a big enough penalty.

Just a few other sore joints appearing today - delayed soreness. Shoulder, hip, bruises on my right leg. Ah well - least i'm alive and healthy right?

Hopefully the guy learns from this.

[The Yeti]

The fact that A you'll be OK is great but him ****ing off is un-real so now he wont cop a disobaying trafic sign he stands a good chance of an acutal chrage servs the tool right.

[Quicklier]

I'm glad that it's only your ankle that is hurt.
43clicks is quite respectable on the pushy.

Great work for being responsible with the lights. It make the bike much easier to spot.

He should have given way!

[AUIIIXR8]

Glad to read it mate.
1. Glad your okay
2. Glad he's caught.
3. Especially glad it was his wife that dropped him in it. Ego that fella!