tongskie01
Active Member
- Location
- blackpool england
i feel like , it was my fault for being hit by a car while cycling to work. my non cycling friends including wife seems to blame me because of my mode of transport.
depressed!
- Thread starter tongskie01
- Start date
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How can being hit from behind be your fault?
OP
OP
tongskie01
Active Member
- Location
- blackpool england
because i wasnt wearing a helmet? and i was cycling. and they think its dangerous to cycle on the road.
MissTillyFlop
Evil communist dictator, lover of gerbils & Pope.
It's not your fault at all.
I have a suspicion that unless they have actually said this, that you may be imagining that others blame you too.
It is stressful to be involved in such an incident and I think you should speak to someone about it - try sane line, they are lovely and will call back later in the week to check up on how you're doing. 0845 767 8000.
I have a suspicion that unless they have actually said this, that you may be imagining that others blame you too.
It is stressful to be involved in such an incident and I think you should speak to someone about it - try sane line, they are lovely and will call back later in the week to check up on how you're doing. 0845 767 8000.
OP
OP
tongskie01
Active Member
- Location
- blackpool england
thanks for the support. i just want to vent it out to those who understand my sentiments. i think its too early to seek for help. ill probably will get over it when im back to cycling on the road.
which should be asap.
which should be asap.
Nigel-YZ1
Guru
- Location
- Somewhere else... maybe soon.
Tell them to get stuffed!
You have a right to be there, and others have a right to see that you're there.
Anecdotal crap from people who happen not to approve of your mode of transport is worth nothing.
Talk to someone impartial and find a means of moving forward.
You have a right to be there, and others have a right to see that you're there.
Anecdotal crap from people who happen not to approve of your mode of transport is worth nothing.
Talk to someone impartial and find a means of moving forward.
deptfordmarmoset
Full time tea drinker
- Location
- Armonmy Way
I feel for you, tongski. There can be a nasty comedown after accidents and it takes a while to get back to a balanced outlook about riding and it sounds like you may be in the middle of that trough right now. The impression of being criticised by your wife likely nothing other than her concern for you - there's a positive side to it. But don't let drivers or loved ones bully you off the road.
It's an odd thing. You expect your family and friends to support you when something happens, but that's not always the case; and especially where cycling is concerned.
People seem to have the idea that cycling - especially on the roads
- is an inherently very dangerous thing to do, and whilst they might not feel you are in incompetent cyclist, they do feel it is a little bit your fault for going ahead and doing it anyway (knowing, as they do, that it is dangerous!!).
Of course this usually comes from people who don't cycle. I can commute every single day of the year and not have many accidents or incidents with people/cars/lorries/buses/horses/peds/camels/etc. - generally, I think, because I try to cycle safely and with consideration for others. Sure I'll have to odd set-to with someone who feels I shouldn't be in their "space", but overall it's not a massively dangerous mode of transport/hobby/sport.
The exceptions are the serious accidents; but what most non-cyclists tend to forget is that they happen anyway!!! Regardless of your mode of transport.
You certainly don't need anyone else's approval to cycle and as you're unlikely to make them understand anyway, don't get frustrated, just carry on regardless ...
People seem to have the idea that cycling - especially on the roads
- is an inherently very dangerous thing to do, and whilst they might not feel you are in incompetent cyclist, they do feel it is a little bit your fault for going ahead and doing it anyway (knowing, as they do, that it is dangerous!!).Of course this usually comes from people who don't cycle. I can commute every single day of the year and not have many accidents or incidents with people/cars/lorries/buses/horses/peds/camels/etc. - generally, I think, because I try to cycle safely and with consideration for others. Sure I'll have to odd set-to with someone who feels I shouldn't be in their "space", but overall it's not a massively dangerous mode of transport/hobby/sport.
The exceptions are the serious accidents; but what most non-cyclists tend to forget is that they happen anyway!!! Regardless of your mode of transport.
You certainly don't need anyone else's approval to cycle and as you're unlikely to make them understand anyway, don't get frustrated, just carry on regardless ...
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
You don't have to wear a helmet, and it's unlikely to do very much for your safety anyway, even if you believe the wildest and most hopeful claims for efficacy of helmet proponents.
Besides, you can't afford not to cycle going by how the benefits outweigh the risks. A regular cyclist has 2 years more life expectancy than the UK national average. Carry on and be confident in yourself, knowing that you're likely to be healthier and live longer as a result, and will be much happier too.
Besides, you can't afford not to cycle going by how the benefits outweigh the risks. A regular cyclist has 2 years more life expectancy than the UK national average. Carry on and be confident in yourself, knowing that you're likely to be healthier and live longer as a result, and will be much happier too.
I wouldn't be inclined to tell anyone to get stuffed, as suggested by a poster above. This particularly in relation to a spouse, who should be kept onside insofar as is possible.
I cycle frequently and with enthusiasm. I've been knocked off and have thrown the bike down the road due to a skill/ambition imbalance.
It happens.
Up to a point your detractors have a point, in that by cycling you are more exposed (per mile) to risk than you might be in some other activities. One's interpretation and weighting of these risks depend on so many factors that few people will ever agree.
My reading of things is that I'm slimmer, fitter and generally healthier than otherwise I might be because I ride a bicycle.
People love to have an opinion about other people's priorities. They have a right to those opinions, however daft. You are likely to have the last laugh, so I'd just smile and take it.
I'm sorry you got hit. It's a bummer, but in a few months it will be an anecdote and you'll find it immensely funny. If you're like me, you'll also add to the size and speed of the offending vehicle with every telling.
I cycle frequently and with enthusiasm. I've been knocked off and have thrown the bike down the road due to a skill/ambition imbalance.
It happens.
Up to a point your detractors have a point, in that by cycling you are more exposed (per mile) to risk than you might be in some other activities. One's interpretation and weighting of these risks depend on so many factors that few people will ever agree.
My reading of things is that I'm slimmer, fitter and generally healthier than otherwise I might be because I ride a bicycle.
People love to have an opinion about other people's priorities. They have a right to those opinions, however daft. You are likely to have the last laugh, so I'd just smile and take it.
I'm sorry you got hit. It's a bummer, but in a few months it will be an anecdote and you'll find it immensely funny. If you're like me, you'll also add to the size and speed of the offending vehicle with every telling.
wintonbina
Über Member
- Location
- Bournemouth
Chin up, I'm also in the recuperating mode at the moment after being flattened by a car doing 30 and I know some people will think' bikes mean danger' but as other posters have said cycling on the whole is healthier for you & the enviroment & your wallet. There is always a risk involved on our roads but its a miniscule one so get back on your bike asap & ignore the doomsayers!
Tony
Tony
BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
Get a health check at your GP. Look at the results, in particular the chances of getting a heart-attack in the next 10 years.
Then sit there smuggly wondering who is taking the bigger risk! Oh yes, and try and work out who will be in a fit state to enjoy their retirement rather than sitting in a chair thinking about how good life was.
Then sit there smuggly wondering who is taking the bigger risk! Oh yes, and try and work out who will be in a fit state to enjoy their retirement rather than sitting in a chair thinking about how good life was.
GrasB
Veteran
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
Assuming you were riding in a reasonable manner & obeying traffic laws then it's not you fault. Ask those who say this would they think the same if you were driving a small single person electric car, if there answer is no then the response is "it's not my fault then". It's as simple as that. Remove private cars completely from the roads & displace those users onto bikes, their feet & public transport then you'd see a dramatic reduction in the number of accidents on the roads.
nilling
Über Member
- Location
- Preston, UK
More importantly, how's the bike? 
life's for living 
life's for living