just been hit by a car

[Two_Sheds]

.it takes a while to get back to where you were, doesn't it? They don't think of that, when they drive without actually being able to see, do they?

We have a lot of elderly drivers here. Many of them, I believe, should not be behind a wheel.
This happened last year ... I was again biking back from the lotty and missed the carnage by 2 mins. If I'd left 5 mins earlier I could have been under his wheels too: Why was this man allowed to drive? Judge's anger over 86-year-old who maimed woman in horror smash | Mail Online

[zazen999]

A sad state of affairs T-S. That poor lass.

Beggars belief.

[Hilary B]

My father should have given up driving long before he did, he simply couldn't see well enough. He got 'checked' by the doctor from time to time, but the doctor simply took his word for it that he was OK. It is something of a miracle that he never had any sort of mishap in those few years. He didn't drive far (mostly to the shops and back), and the car was a bright yellow mini, so I suspect all the locals saw him coming and got out of the way!

[Incy]

I remember when we had our Dutch student Linda (rip) stay with us - she could not understand our traffic laws. I think cyclists have the right of way in Holland too.

Very true.
In Holland the priority order is as follows:
1)Trams
2)Bikes
3)Pedestrians
4)cars

It can be quite scary driving a car there but it makes sense as you have more to protect you in a car than you do as a cyclist or pedestrian.

Incidentally, the police are wrong to say it's your word against his. If you had been in a car and had the same accident it would clearly have been his fault as you were going straight along a road and he was crossing oncoming traffic to turn right. It is actually irrelevant that you were on a bike not in a car as you were both road users. That means that although there may not be a case for it to go to court ( unfortunately accidents do happen) you should be able to claim for damage and injuries from his insurance company.

I do hope that you feel better soon!
Take care and plenty of long soaks in bubbly baths ( Lavender is really good for relaxing aches and pains )

[SlugLobber]

Sorry to hear about your accident, Two Sheds. The attitude of the police beggars belief, but really doesn't surprise me.

Despite your stats, I still have to disagree re: the helmet. If you think they don't offer adequate protection, then try the Troxel helmets for horse-riding. They look very similar to cycle helmets, are equally as light and score the highest in safety tests. I've landed on my head (at speeds a damn sight faster than 15mph) too many times to be complacent! I also have to disagree about the Hi-Viz, at least in rural areas. As a horse-rider and driver on leafy lanes, I know exactly what difference it makes when some prat (equestrian, cyclist OR pedestrian) is bumbling along in their dark clothes. There was also a case a few years ago in Horse and Hound, where a rider had her compensation halved due to lack of Hi-Viz, as she was deemed to have contributed to the accident by not making herself seen.

I agree with Incy about the police being wrong, but I guess you've already worked that out! Make sure you take photos of the bruising, point out to the police about the eye test thing and I would also take it further with the police/email your MP to ask why exactly the police are NOT upholding the law in your area? I'm appalled by their lack of action, I really am!

Hope you heal soon. You CAN be examined by a Doctor at any time - why would you be examined once you've healed? Or have I misunderstood that? When a prat smashed into my car (he hit another head on and bounced into me when I was waiting at a junction), I was told to visit a Doctor as soon as possible if I had any pain, to document it.

[Two_Sheds]

try the Troxel helmets for horse-riding. They look very similar to cycle helmets

Ah, but you are very much more likely to come off a horse than a bike. The bike is under your control to a much larger extent, not being a mule-headed stubborn flighty animal

Also, cycling is a hot sweaty, athletic business. With helmets, heat stroke is a real danger. Even the Troxel (which looks lovely) doesn't have enough ventilation for cycling.

[Two_Sheds]

I also have to disagree about the Hi-Viz, at least in rural areas. As a horse-rider and driver on leafy lanes, I know exactly what difference it makes when some prat (equestrian, cyclist OR pedestrian) is bumbling along in their dark clothes.

I take your point, but my point is that Hi Viz is only any use if it contrasts with the background. Wear light clothes when it's dark/shady, kind of thing.

So wearing Hi Viz on a bright sunny day in town is utterly pointless. Black clothing would show up better.

Of course you should always take sensible measures to be seen, but drivers are getting away with speeding and careless/dangerous driving, by blaming the victim for not being visible enough. It's not on.

[Two_Sheds]

If you had been in a car and had the same accident it would clearly have been his fault as you were going straight along a road and he was crossing oncoming traffic to turn right.

Yes, I know, and I mentioned it several times at the scene!
There seems to be this unwritten law though, that cyclists are third rate road users and don't have the full protection of the law (we don't pay road tax you know )

[SueA]

Hope you're feeling a bit better Two Sheds & that the driver does get prosecuted as it seems clearly obvious (to us anyway!) that he was at fault.

[maytreefrannie]

Yes, I know, and I mentioned it several times at the scene!
There seems to be this unwritten law though, that cyclists are third rate road users and don't have the full protection of the law (we don't pay road tax you know )

I feel it's very important to have everything documented - even though you stated it at the scene somehow it seems to me that memory (of those you spoke to) isn't always reliable. I guess by now you'll have given your solicitor your own written statement - there was also a suggestion that your statement for the police could be amended (to correct any errors or omissions on their part).

I know all this has been said by others - hopefully by now statement(s) will be recorded to your satisfaction.

I'm not a cyclist but it amazes me whenever someone has any kind of cycling accident people say things like 'bikes are very dangerous' or 's/he shouldn't have been on that bike' and other stuff like that - when what they should say is that motorists should take care, look out for cyclists/pedestrians/any road users.

I've never yet heard someone say that the person in the car should not have been there - or that they should give up driving the car.

[tricky]

Only just catching up ts
How awfull for you ,hope you get better soon .
If id have knock you off i would be knocking at your door with me insurance form .
I think motorists should look that little bit longer at juctions and have their eyes tested reguarly.
Get well soon.

[Two_Sheds]

I'm not a cyclist but it amazes me whenever someone has any kind of cycling accident people say things like 'bikes are very dangerous' or 's/he shouldn't have been on that bike' and other stuff like that - when what they should say is that motorists should take care, look out for cyclists/pedestrians/any road users.

I've never yet heard someone say that the person in the car should not have been there - or that they should give up driving the car.

MTF .. you're right with me on that one.

Cycling in itself is not dangerous ... it's motorists that make cycling dangerous, by driving dangerously, carelessly, without due care and attention, and too fast for the conditions. Perhaps we should have laws about this

[FionaH]

Ah, but you are very much more likely to come off a horse than a bike. The bike is under your control to a much larger extent, not being a mule-headed stubborn flighty animal

Darn good point Two Sheds but when did your bike ever think for itself and get you out of trouble?

I take your point, but my point is that Hi Viz is only any use if it contrasts with the background. Wear light clothes when it's dark/shady, kind of thing.

So wearing Hi Viz on a bright sunny day in town is utterly pointless. Black clothing would show up better.

I find that Hi Viz still works wel in shady, dappled conditions. My son nearly hit a horse rider the other day as he didnt see her on a shady lane. Her reply when he suggested Hi Viz was "I am wearing a white T shirt". They just aren't so effective imho.

Do hope you are feeling a bit better now

[SlugLobber]

Only a non-rider would say that riding a horse is not a sweaty, athletic business, lol! The troxel (designed for endurance riding, most of which is done at trot/canter) is vented all over. It's exactly why I bought one, as I get headaches in conventional hats, but these I can ride all day in.

There are different colours of high vis for different situations. Orange/yellow best for towns, orange for rural/leafy lanes and pink for the sissys.

BTW, you calling my pony a mule? I may have to ask ye to step ootside... Hope the bruises are doing ok?

[Two_Sheds]

BTW, you calling my pony a mule? I may have to ask ye to step ootside... Hope the bruises are doing ok?

the bruises are coming out now (no your pony's not a mule, I don't need another bashing)