My First Bicycle Crash

OREGATO

More a lurker on this forum than anything else but thought I'd share an 'experience'.

I've been cycling to and from work to Dublin City Centre each day for the past few months without incident, tonight, I had my first accident. Cycling down near Georges Street and they're doing roadworks, the road narrows a bit, brief look over shoulder and the car has a bit of distance, I keep my pace as to not impede or get in any ones way. Nearly reach the cone/barrier that is intruding on the road/cycle path and the car comes up on my right and pretty much bullies me straight into the cone/barrier. Jam on HARD, too late, before I know it, I'm over the handle bars, some how manage to break my fall on the barrier in proper action movie style and land on my face.

Two builders working on site rush over to make sure I'm ok and take the drivers reg, driver pulls in down the road and stays in his car.. WTF?

So I'm picking myself up, phone is ok, bike is ok, pretty bad gash on my right arm but I'll live, contents of back pack seem to be alright, a bit shaken, very pissed off. Driver comes out and starts to rant about something or another, builders had more of a go at him than I did for the way he accelerated up when I was clearly there and there were cones and barriers up and clearly marked ROAD WORKS AHEAD. I didn't really bother to say much to him, sure what could I prove/do? What would the Gards have done if they were called?

I told him to cop the fu*k on in future and told him that I'd be reporting him either way to the local Gardai, took a snapshot of his car (he works as a delivery boy from what I can make out) and cycled home.

Guess there is nothing really to this thread other than to say be safe out there, but at the same time, I've never really had a serious crash/encounter with another vehicle, what do you guys do in these circumstances? Is it a case that you take his insurance details or do you just give him a bollicking and get on with life? Will the Gardai do anything?

Arm's a bit sore, but like I said, I'll live. Bit of a wake up call I guess, I was always nervous cycling and experiences like this really don't help, especially when I know that I was doing everything I could to A) Avoid anyone else and Take the junction carefully, I was forced to either hit his car or take the barriers, I chose the barriers.

Roger Hassenforder

sorry to hear your jeremiad, what a bell end, he could have killed you.
i'd complain him to the Gardai if he did what you think he did, and also to his employer if you can make it out. they might be interested in making a gesture so to speak to avoid litigation...

rich.d.berry

Yes, definitely report to the gardai. I hope that you also took details of the workers in case you need witnesses.

It sounds to me, by your description, that you were keeping well to the left when this incident happened. If so, then I'd like to suggest that in future, where you can see that the roadway is restricted or narrowed ahead that you move to the centre of the lane. This may feel wrong and that you're placing yourself in danger, but the reality is that by commanding the lane you're actually safer, and will not be easily bullied out of the way. Even where the driver passes aggressively, your road position has bought you some extra escape room on the left.

I hope your injuries recover quickly and that you don't wake up in more pain than when you went to bed. See a doctor if necessary.

Jawgap

Sounds scary, but good to hear you're largely ok.

In a situation like yours I think it has to be doctor and cops in that order - you should get yourself checked out in case there's damaged. Then make a report to the Garda.

Wishbone Ash

Sorry for your incident. AFAIK you are obliged to report it to the Gardai as you have been injured and they are obliged to investigate the matter. It happened to me a few months ago.

ford2600

Richard.d.berry is bang on, if there is restriction ahead, get out early, take control of lane.
Too many drivers are unaware of cyclist, take centre of lane in future, don't give them easy option to drive on top of you.

Lesson learned, hope your not hurt too bad. You will be sore in morning

BostonB

Don't have much experience myself, but heres my 2 cents.

Check for CCTV there probably is one covering that area. They wipe them after 24, or a few days so you need to check quickly. If you had CCTV footage of it, you'd have something to go to the Guards with. Also you could have got the details of the workmen and at least got the guards to have a word in the drivers ear. If it did nothing but make them think twice it would be something.

What I think you should have done, rather than trying to stay out of people way is make yourself as wide as a car, and take up the lane. Make them wait for you, and treat you as if you were a car. Command the lane. Also don't be "keeping your pace" theres no rush on a bike, take its slower so you have time to stop. Even pull over and let the cars by if you are unsure. But don't give mixed messages they'll try to squeeze you if you're hesitant.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Go to the Gardai and make a formal complaint about the driver. What he done constitutes dangerous driving. If the workmen are willing to make statements it'll back your case up. If you make a written complaint then the guards have no Option but to call to the registered owner of the car and find out who was driving and inform him a complaint has been made against him and invite him to make a statement under caution and submit the file for directions. Like I said if the workmen, even one of them are willing to make a witness statement it'll reinforce your case but your injuries alone and the fact that there were witnesses (whether they co-operate or not) means it is likely he would be prosecuted for it.

funnights74

Sorry to hear about your crash Oregato hope you mend up asap, Yep Rich.d.berry i got to agree with ya there's no harm in claiming "your space", there was a time when i tried to stay out of the way and not be a nuisance to drivers when the road gets narrow and tight but i had a few close calls so i changed my attitude and claimed my space on the road and if any aggressive/luny drivers want to take a chance and force his way around me then go right ahead.
Most drivers are patient enough but the odd one with an attitude does a bit of "revving" up/ intimidation, but they're wasting their time with me. Looking after number 1 these days.

petethedrummer

If you have to over take anything, confidently put your arm out to signal your intentions and do it early in the manoeuvre.

OREGATO

Hi guys,

Thank you for your replies.

Woke up this morning and my arm isn't that bad, still a bit sore but I'm sure it's nothing serious.

Some good advice and exactly what I was looking for in terms of road positioning, I've always had the mindset of driving as close to the left as possible but it does make a lot of sense to make your presence known by taking a more prominent line in traffic. Something I will definitely take on board and try to do more in these situations, I guess it gives me more options in cases where I'd need to take evasive action, i.e. left or right as opposed to being stuck on the left and only having the kerb or car as options.

Overall, I'm OK, just a bit shook up from the incident and it's knocked my confidence a bit but I'm trying to treat it as a positive incident, i.e. I'm not hurt and it could have been a lot worse.

This thread has helped in terms of knowing what to do in case I ever get into a more serious crash as well as better ways of cycling on the road.

Thanks guys.

BostonB

The other thing I'd add is make sure to make eye contact with cars and even indicate to them via hand signals what you're doing. Also road position often lets people know what you are doing.

The problem with cycle lanes is they make people think they should stay left all the time. Whereas in fact sometimes you are much better (safer) getting in lane. But once you've made your maneuver you should move back to the left. No point being a ass about it. Though sometimes in slow multilane moving traffic, I'll keep the lane for a good stretch as long I as can keep pace with the traffic. Like on the quays where theres 4 lanes and you're turning right etc. Move like a car and people understand your intentions much better and give you similar space.

Where appropriate.

fixie fox

The car didn't touch you so you are probably just going to annoy yourself if you are expecting the Gardai to do anything - 'U cycled into a barrier', is one take on it.
Major lesson, as has been said a number of times, is to cycle with a confidence and hold your position. Cars will only give you the same amount of space no matter what you do - move in, and the cars move in. You must hold a position that gives you a little leeway in it's necessary.