First bike crash

[spen666]

sounds a nasty accident, glad you are ok.

I'm a little puzzled at the blame being attached here. Surely as road users we are expected to look ahead of us and to be aware of road obstructions.

I am speculating here, but was gate there to prevent cars / motorbikes using the road? Its not uncommon that barriers are put in place to prevent this

 

[Drago]

There's looking ahead, and looking ahead. I can't see it very well, but this sounds like a piece of street furniture not only placed in an unexpected position , but coloured/hidden to make it invisible until one is already atop it. The fact that someone has made an attempt to paint crude chevron on it would indicate that the owner is aware of the issue, but is paying only lip service to resolving it. Wouldn't mind seeing a pic or two of the approach.

 

[spen666]

There's looking ahead, and looking ahead. I can't see it very well, but this sounds like a piece of street furniture not only placed in an unexpected position , but coloured/hidden to make it invisible until one is already atop it. The fact that someone has made an attempt to paint crude chevron on it would indicate that the owner is aware of the issue, but is paying only lip service to resolving it. Wouldn't mind seeing a pic or two of the approach.

This is on a local lane, not a 70mph motorway

Its up to road users not to travel at a speed that is not safe. This means not travelling at speed if they cannot see the raod is clear.

The big difference here is this appears to be an access lane not a main road

 

[DWiggy]

I surprised the gate hasn't been modified after the fatality! gws sounded painful!

 

[ChrisEyles]

Take it easy and get well soon! Surely something needs to be done about that gate with its track record...

 

[pclay]

hmmm, further to my previous post regarding send a complaint to the council, I also agree that users of a cycle path should look where they are going.

 

[Racing roadkill]

These things happen. You'll be seeing double for a few minutes, and your legs will give way, so just sit down and go with it. If nothing's broken, get back on the bike straight away, it helps.

 

[S.Giles]

Without personally cycling along the same path in the same light conditions, etc, etc, no-one can claim you should have seen the gate ahead of you. They're just guessing that you should have. I would contact a solicitor to find out if any action could be taken against the council for their negligence in allowing a proven hazard to persist. If this gate has previously caused a fatality, you may well be saving someone's life as well as being compensated for your injuries. There's only the cost of a phone call at stake, after all.

 

[mr_cellophane]

The other end is marked National Cycle Route 42. Write to Sustrans as well.

 

[Jackswan]

These things happen. You'll be seeing double for a few minutes, and your legs will give way, so just sit down and go with it. If nothing's broken, get back on the bike straight away, it helps.

Been seeing double all week, not feeling very good at all. Not a hope in hell I could even get on the bike at the moment

 

[classic33]

Been seeing double all week, not feeling very good at all. Not a hope in hell I could even get on the bike at the moment

If you've still got a vision problem
seek medical help.
Could be a sign of a problem you're not aware of.

 

[S.Giles]

If you've still got a vision problem
seek medical help.
Could be a sign of a problem you're not aware of.

I agree entirely, and I'm speaking as someone who sustained a brain injury in a cycling accident several years ago. It's not worth taking any risks.

 

[Jackswan]

Been seeing double all week,

Oops slip of the tongue there, no vision problems. But chest is killing me, still unable to drive and intend doing the 80 mile round trip (driving) to work again from Wednesday
Been trying all week to work out how I hit a gate, can remember the horrible thud, but after that just can't remember, the hour afterwards is just a blur. Will have to take some photos at the same time of morning with the same weather conditions

 

[S.Giles]

As I said in an earlier post, you should find out if there's any legal recourse available to you.

I'm no legal expert, but (to make an analogy), if I owned a dog that had previously killed someone, and knowing that I still let it bite someone else, causing them serious injuries, I would be expecting a solicitor's letter to land on my doormat (at the very least)!

 

[Jackswan]

As I said in an earlier post, you should find out if there's any legal recourse available to you.

Mmmmm...... Would not like to see someone else hitting it......