Hi guys,
New to the forum
Was hoping to find a little bit of advice on what to do in my situation.
I'm cycling home. There's stationary traffic queuing at a zebra crossing. During rush hour there's a bike lane but it's evening so there's cars parked in it. I'm filtering on the inside between traffic and parked cars (the road is too narrow to pass between the lanes). Drunk passenger of a car decides to go to pub opposite and opens front passenger door right into me. Say he's sorry, didnt look and promises to pay for damages to bike. (Shoulder also hurts alot and is cut and bruised but im only worried about fixing bike) I get the number plate but the driver says "not my problem...is my car okay?" and then drives off. So no other details of driver. I have a phone number for the passenger who agrees to pay to fix bike.
I've taken bike to a shop to get a quote for fixing. It's way more expensive than he was expecting, i think he was thinking £20 not £200 (it's a nice road bike and shifters are expensive one is broken) he's asking for me to get photos of bike, and doesnt believe the quote given by bike shop etc. I offered to do the work if he'll buy the parts but he's not interested. Basically it's becoming serious hassle.
I have bike insurance that covers legal stuff (fully comp). I spoke to them and they said just send over the details and they deal with the rest. I feel sorry for the driver who will lose no claims but I also need my bike back on the road as i commute and it's my only transport.
I know the highway code says filtering is an acceptable road use and i'm fairly sure the driver is responsible for passengers. I wanted to check if i'm in the right here and if it's worth sending to the insurance company? (They are a bike specialist so hopefully will fight my corner)
Any advice would be massively appreciated
Thanks!
New to the forum
Was hoping to find a little bit of advice on what to do in my situation. I'm cycling home. There's stationary traffic queuing at a zebra crossing. During rush hour there's a bike lane but it's evening so there's cars parked in it. I'm filtering on the inside between traffic and parked cars (the road is too narrow to pass between the lanes). Drunk passenger of a car decides to go to pub opposite and opens front passenger door right into me. Say he's sorry, didnt look and promises to pay for damages to bike. (Shoulder also hurts alot and is cut and bruised but im only worried about fixing bike) I get the number plate but the driver says "not my problem...is my car okay?" and then drives off. So no other details of driver. I have a phone number for the passenger who agrees to pay to fix bike.
I've taken bike to a shop to get a quote for fixing. It's way more expensive than he was expecting, i think he was thinking £20 not £200 (it's a nice road bike and shifters are expensive one is broken) he's asking for me to get photos of bike, and doesnt believe the quote given by bike shop etc. I offered to do the work if he'll buy the parts but he's not interested. Basically it's becoming serious hassle.
I have bike insurance that covers legal stuff (fully comp). I spoke to them and they said just send over the details and they deal with the rest. I feel sorry for the driver who will lose no claims but I also need my bike back on the road as i commute and it's my only transport.
I know the highway code says filtering is an acceptable road use and i'm fairly sure the driver is responsible for passengers. I wanted to check if i'm in the right here and if it's worth sending to the insurance company? (They are a bike specialist so hopefully will fight my corner)
Any advice would be massively appreciated
Thanks!
