Hit in the back by a cyclist!

Rallydriver

You were very unfortunate to get hit by a cyclist. It is much more common for cyclists to be hit by motorists than the other way around.

The most common collision type between cyclists and motorists occur where the motorist fails to move out to overtake the cyclist, where the cyclist is within a foot of the kerb.
I had a close one today, riding on the outer painted line of a double yellow I was passed by an articulated lorry. Put it this way, if I had wide mountain bike hardlebars rather than narrow drop bars it would have clipped me.Its a good job these things don't phase me.

Back to the OP, liability would lie with the cyclist in this case. The only exception I'd say would be if there was a cycle lane at the edge of the road and you'd stopped and blocked it. I've had this before where I've had to pull up because of people blocking cycle lanes, a big flat handed slap on the car bodywork usually wakes them up without causing damage to the vehicle though. The best thing I do is when there is just enough space to pass I'll fold in their wing mirror then move past, winds them up a treat.

Altarf

Rallydriver wrote: »

The most common collision type between cyclists and motorists occur where the motorist fails to move out to overtake the cyclist, where the cyclist is within a foot of the kerb.

Agree with you.

Rallydriver wrote: »

I had a close one today, riding on the outer painted line of a double yellow I was passed by an articulated lorry.

So why ride in the gutter? If you follow the current recommendation (which seems to have bypassed most motorists) to ride further out into the road, vehicles have to overtake you, rather than just drive past you as if you were not there.

Rallydriver wrote: »

if there was a cycle lane at the edge of the road and you'd stopped and blocked it.

I really really hate it when people do that, and they always have an idiot expression on their face as they don't know what they have done wrong

Rallydriver wrote: »

I've had this before where I've had to pull up because of people blocking cycle lanes, a big flat handed slap on the car bodywork usually wakes them up without causing damage to the vehicle though. The best thing I do is when there is just enough space to pass I'll fold in their wing mirror then move past, winds them up a treat.

Not sensible. People are "precious" about their cars and may do something stupid. They are in two tonnes of killing machine, and you aren't, and the driver may be the next Kenneth Noye.

jambo12

Hi All - update!

I have obtained a quote from my mechanic saying that the damage will cost around £200 in total to repair (couple of dents/scratches/broken housing on light). I called the cyclist mum to let her know yesterday and she said that her daughter apparently does have cycle insurance so it can be settled via her insurers or herself. I still need to speak to her directly but I feel more reassured now.

Plus it's nice to know that there are some honest people around here! Thinking back she could have quite easily ridden off without stopping and given false details. The fact that she didn't ,for me anyway , does count for a lot.

Big thanks to all of you for all of your advice. I am still well-prepared should things turn hairy but hopefully they won't! I have said I will prepare a letter of assurance once the repairs have been done thereby giving both of us closure once everything is wrapped up

Have to admit as sappy as it sounds I am a big believer that things happen for a reason and who knows if perhaps either or us was destined to have a more serious accident but fate was on our side so it was a minor thing instead...ok I'll stop now!

cyclonebri1

jambo12 wrote: »

Hi All - update!

I have obtained a quote from my mechanic saying that the damage will cost around £200 in total to repair (couple of dents/scratches/broken housing on light). I called the cyclist mum to let her know yesterday and she said that her daughter apparently does have cycle insurance so it can be settled via her insurers or herself. I still need to speak to her directly but I feel more reassured now.

Plus it's nice to know that there are some honest people around here! Thinking back she could have quite easily ridden off without stopping and given false details. The fact that she didn't ,for me anyway , does count for a lot.

Big thanks to all of you for all of your advice. I am still well-prepared should things turn hairy but hopefully they won't! I have said I will prepare a letter of assurance once the repairs have been done thereby giving both of us closure once everything is wrapped up

Have to admit as sappy as it sounds I am a big believer that things happen for a reason and who knows if perhaps either or us was destined to have a more serious accident but fate was on our side so it was a minor thing instead...ok I'll stop now!

Well done, and very fortunate, (to find an insured cyclist), only this morning on the news it was stated that MORE than 1 in 10 motorists are uninsured:eek:, the chances of finding an insured cyclist must have been 1 in 100, WOW.