Driver overtook me with half a foot - Hit the curb and came off

[JamesMayesUK]

Today at about 11AM I was off out for a ride with a friend, 2.5 miles in I was just starting to warm up. Approaching a bend going about 15-16 mph I looked back and saw a car about 200m down the road, a few seconds later (eh, it felt like a few seconds - I'm not really good with timing) I looked to my side and saw this car. It went past me WAY too quickly, with about half a foot-1 foot distance. Going at this speed I panicked and tried to swerve to distance myself from the car (I've only been cycling about 6 weeks) - resulting in me hitting the curb and falling face first, spending 5 hours in A&E waiting for them to take a look at my shoulder. I'm grazed on all my left side, knees, hip, shoulder, face. My glasses saved my eye and my helmet definitely saved my head from much more serious injuries. I honestly don't even think the car even saw me initially, even after they didn't stop (I'd have thought they'd have seen me in their mirror after overtaking a cyclist - I'm 15 so I don't/can't drive so I'm not sure). I'm pretty annoyed that the levers on my bike are extremely scratched up more than anything (+they're bent inwards, but they can be straightened), and my favourite cycling jersey has a hole where my shoulder hit the ground. It happened so quickly I didn't even have time to put my hands to the ground or remotely react.

I just want to get back out on my bike

 

[Eribiste]

So sorry to hear about your bad experience, so soon after starting cycling. It doesn't sound as though there is much you could have done to avoid this either, always a bit of a worry. I hope you and your bike are still serviceable, and I'm glad to read that you want to get back on the pony again. I've had a few tumbles myself, but they've all been due to something dumb on my part. So far, I've had mostly good experience in traffic, even on my commute.

Take care out there, keep yourself visible, and here's to good riding in the future.

 

[ayceejay]

Get back on your bike you will James so no worries there. It is good to be careful but Going at this speed I panicked and tried to swerve to distance myself from the car may be a clue as what not to do. Trust me I have been in that situation and I know that it is easy for me to say but you had a very bad experience and I don't want to diminish that. Try to find some experienced cyclists to ride with and wear that jersi as a badge of honour.

 

[JamesMayesUK]

So sorry to hear about your bad experience, so soon after starting cycling. It doesn't sound as though there is much you could have done to avoid this either, always a bit of a worry. I hope you and your bike are still serviceable, and I'm glad to read that you want to get back on the pony again. I've had a few tumbles myself, but they've all been due to something dumb on my part. So far, I've had mostly good experience in traffic, even on my commute.

Take care out there, keep yourself visible, and here's to good riding in the future.

I think I'm just going to avoid that road, it's not very busy but when there are a few drivers on it they drive like idiots. I witnessed a totally unrelated (near) collision on the same road later on that day (coming home from the hospital) because of a driver not paying attention.

Get back on your bike you will James so no worries there. It is good to be careful but Going at this speed I panicked and tried to swerve to distance myself from the car may be a clue as what not to do. Trust me I have been in that situation and I know that it is easy for me to say but you had a very bad experience and I don't want to diminish that. Try to find some experienced cyclists to ride with and wear that jersi as a badge of honour.

I've seen some pretty atrocious driving & some pretty atrocious overtakes, but when they're inches away from me it's pretty scary in the moment. Obviously I'll try not to do the same thing next time. Still no excuse for the bad* overtake though.

*May be an understatement

 

[T4tomo]

Report it to the police, the driver failed to stop after an accident, as he caused you to crash. There might be some cc TV footage depending what is on the road you were on. That may match a ref plate to the type of car assuming you can remember what the car was.

 

[buggi]

Make sure you're riding at least a metre from the kerb to discourage close overtakes and give yourself "wobble" room if they overtake closely. GWS xx

 

[buggi]

Report it to the police, the driver failed to stop after an accident, as he caused you to crash. There might be some cc TV footage depending what is on the road you were on. That may match a ref plate to the type of car assuming you can remember what the car was.

That as well!!

 

[JamesMayesUK]

Report it to the police, the driver failed to stop after an accident, as he caused you to crash. There might be some cc TV footage depending what is on the road you were on. That may match a ref plate to the type of car assuming you can remember what the car was.

My mother actually contacted the police, I wasn't going to because I didn't think there was much they could do because no contact was actually made. They planned to come tonight between 5 and 9 (It's now 11:24PM). I guess they're too busy tonight. I'm pretty sure there's CCTV at the roundabout coming onto the road quite a bit earlier on, apparently there was a girl who got assaulted on the same road and that's how they got them. It all depends if the police actually go to that much effort.

I also don't remember any part of the registation or what type of car it was, other than that it wasn't a big car. It wasn't an old car (pretty sure), and I remember it was black with a female driver (or male with long dark hair??). I suppose if it's on CCTV that'll be enough to point them out I think?

Make sure you're riding at least a metre from the kerb to discourage close overtakes and give yourself "wobble" room if they overtake closely. GWS xx

I usually do, the road is new to me (first time down it and I had an accident ), didn't really know what it was like. Will be sure to do this on EVERY road I go on from now on. We live and learn

 

[classic33]

My mother actually contacted the police, I wasn't going to because I didn't think there was much they could do because no contact was actually made. They planned to come tonight between 5 and 9 (It's now 11:24PM). I guess they're too busy tonight. I'm pretty sure there's CCTV at the roundabout coming onto the road quite a bit earlier on, apparently there was a girl who got assaulted on the same road and that's how they got them. It all depends if the police actually go to that much effort.

I also don't remember any part of the registation or what type of car it was, other than that it wasn't a big car. It wasn't an old car (pretty sure), and I remember it was black with a female driver (or male with long dark hair??). I suppose if it's on CCTV that'll be enough to point them out I think?

I usually do, the road is new to me (first time down it and I had an accident ), didn't really know what it was like. Will be sure to do this on EVERY road I go on from now on. We live and learn

Might be the fact its been caught on CCTV, that has the police wanting to see you.

 

[JamesMayesUK]

Might be the fact its been caught on CCTV, that has the police wanting to see you.

I believe it's standard for them to see me because I'm U16. Don't quote me on that though.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Hi James!
Really sorry to read about this incident, hope it doesn't put you off cycling.
Follow @buggi's sound advice: you will find out with riding frequently that some roads are best avoided, look for an alternative route if possible.
Sometimes the same road is perfectly ridable outside rush hours.
GWS!

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Glad to hear you are pretty much ok, that is the main thing. Bikes can be fixed.

With age comes experience, and that is often painful & frightening like yours today,

You'll know in future to be further out from the kerb where you are more visible in the carriageway and less likely to be mistaken for being on the pavement or not seen at the periphery of the road where drivers don't expect to see other vehicles cars. Also as posted above, if you do encounter a Numbskull you will have more room to manoeuvre safely yourself.

It can feel a bit odd being middle of the lane at first but it is the best and most assertive (not aggressive) place to ride for you to have more control of your space & be better able to manage drivers passing you on your terms

Keep on at the cops and ask about CCTV with the council too if you get no joy /a visit.

Best of luck with pursuing it.

 

[hatler]

GWS, and take a look at this thread - https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-essential-guide-for-new-commuters.56622/

 

[martint235]

GWS and hope you're back on the bike soon.

With regards to the police etc, unfortunately from personal experience (Emsworth FNRttC) unless there's contact between vehicle and cyclist, the police will not do anything and insurance companies will side with the driver. It's unfair but just one of those things to chalk up to experience.

 

[Col5632]

Sounds nasty, hope you get better soon and don't let it put you off, what damage have you done to yourself? I hit the back of a lorry almost 5 weeks ago now and still suffering from it