Pushbike Blues

[kokonutcreme]

Just wanted to vent some steam regarding an accident on my pushbike today. Riding home I was confronted by a vehicle pulling out of a street directly in from of me as I was turning into it. Well as things do go to custard on corners, I slammed my brakes and ended up kissing the tarseal before stopping under the front wheel. Thankfully the lady driver had stopped

Man I was pissed to the max. I got up, gathered myself and let rip at a lady driver who, through a partly opened door, squirmed, “are you OK?” Am I OK? You ask while you sit there wondering how long this inconvenience holds you back from reaching your destination, OF COURSE I’M NOT OK!! “Sorry” she whimpers

I work at a local high school so I was on the road at the same time students from 3 other schools were out. As chairperson (Head of the Board) for one of these schools I let rip this fact to the driver. There is no excuse for not giving way to a cyclist, It’s very fortunate that I had my back pack and laptop strapped to me which cushioned my fall.

During all this I forgot to take the number of the car. I just left after getting into her verbally. What more can I have done? I shudder to think what the outcome would have been if it was a child let alone one of mine 4 who all cycle to school and kindy.

I HATE irresponsible drivers!

I arrived home and we all got on our bikes, I took my Pedicab with the twins on board, and went to down to Netball practise. Well we arrived home after another sweat and as I was just getting dinner ready a witness to my accident telephoned and said she has the number of the vehicle and all of 10 minutes after my accident a boy-racer honed through the corner!

I use to carry around a little crowbar to leave my mark on cars as a young urban cyclist…..I’m thinking of resurrecting it!!

I have a Tshirt………………”If I was a Big Mac Truck You would have stopped!” and that’s the bottom line.

That’s me……..Back on my bike tomorrow and this time I will be armed and ready!!

Cheers

Emile

[Trixi.com]

Pushbikes? Wich kind of Pushbike you are talking about? Post a foto! We have a fleet of 110.... have a look at www.patinete.es

Saludos

Gerald

[kokonutcreme]

Pushbike, Bikecycle, Cycle....hmm I was on my "bicycle"....travel to work vehicle. :-)

[tdayuk]

We now have a 'National Cycling standard' in the UK, which is recognised by the goverment & is aimed at improving road position of cyclists & to reduce risks to young cyclists.

It's something Bugbugs is now training in the UK to our drivers. We now require our pedicab drivers to do this, as we found it will reduce accidents like 'squashing'. Do you have anything like this in your cycling program over there? It might be a great transferable skill for pedicab drivers.

Sadly Tarmak kissing is a thing most cyclist will do at least once thanx to blind & stupid drivers but we will out live them if not killed because of the better general level of health

[kokonutcreme]

Thanks Tdayuk

We do have cycle strategies and safety campaigns run throughout the country however most of these are for suburban cyclists. These are all part of our local and central body Governments push to minimise emissions and leeson impact on environment. Another push is coming from the same bodies but through healthy lifestyle choices, get active, campaigns "Push Play"

In most parts of New Zealand a cyclist doesn't have to ride far to get onto open road, 100 km speed zones and most often any car, cyclist collision is fatal.....for the cyclist. Driver attitude toward cyclists sux. Hopefully this will change.

Christchurch City strategy

Nelson City Council Strategy (Where I live)

Central Governement Strategy Nation wide

Push Play

Emile

[Sancho]

Hi Emile. A fairly typical incident, unfortunately, in this country too, where bikes are an inconvenience to the internal combustion engine. I also work at a local school, where all of 3 out 285 students now cycle to school. I go be rickshaw, dropping my eldest two kids off at their primary on the way. Luckily, I've never had an incident (knock on wood) on the rickshaw, it's so bizarre to see one here that it's like a UFO (I also have a 6-foot high flag on top of it for visibility), it stands out a mile and traffic sometimes slows down to look at it, often making pleasant compliments out the window as they pass. When on my own bikes, however (i.e. solo cycling), I've had quite a few incidents as you describe, some in which the motorist at fault actually assumes that because I'm a cyclist, fault is automatically mine. It helps to learn the Road Traffic Regulations well, as most motorists can't quote them. It also helps to carry a mobile phone with camera. The first thing you do when you pick yourself up off the ground is reach for the camera, don't speak, just take a photo of the scene, including car and licence plate. That usually speaks volumes, and calms the situation down as the motorist begins to think about the consequences instead of getting into verbal. It's difficult not to get angry and start shouting, but it doesn't help. I'm delighted some good person took down the details for you, unfortunately I think oil will have to reach 200 dollars a barrel before the streets even start to get safer for bikes. (PS, I'm a motorist too, I just leave the car at home most days).