Not a great way to end the week....

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rb58

Enigma
Location
Bexley, Kent
I got taken out by a pedestrian on Cheapside on my way home tonight. Stepped right out in front of me - looking the opposite way. Hit him fair and square. Both of us went down, me over the bars.

Fortunately it was witnessed by hordes of people heading for home. And in front of a van load of policeman. Paramedics were called but I think my injuries looked worse than they were. Bloody nose and mouth mostly, but I think I'm going to have a stiff left leg tomorrow and a bruised left hand.

When he'd finished with me the ambulance man advised me to go to hospital, but I think they have to do that for everyone where there's a chance they might have hit their head. I declined. (I don't think my head hit the ground at all. I think my face hit the back of the other blokes head!)

Front wheel buckled and brake lever loose and twisted (easily fixed when I got home), so I rode gently over to On Your Bike in Tooley Street and they were able to true the wheel straight away so I could cycle home. Top marks to them. They have advised that the rim is now out of shape and needs to be replaced (although it looks fine to me).

I'm gutted because I missed the FNRttC tonight to go and see Greg Davis, but didn't get home in time. And I suspect my weekend cycling is going to be ruined by a bruised quad.

Be careful out there!
 

Maz

Guru
Unlucky there, glad you came out of it OK.
Where does the FNRttC end up? Brighton? Do you stay overnight there and head back in the morning?

Edit: Just seen their website. Sounds like fun!
 

flying start

Veteran
The poor old bike...! Hope your ok tho
This happened to me when first started to commute (school boy ran out in front of me ending in me hitting him head on) this was rush hour 8am and no one in the cars or other bikers stopped to see if any of us where ok. We where lockly anuff I went over the the bars and my hip hit the Kurb ripped my saddle and very sore next day!
The young lad got the shock of his life gravel rash from his butt cheak to this neck but ok...! But seriously tho be cearfull all It could happen at any time! Hope your not to sore in morning!
 
OP
OP
rb58

rb58

Enigma
Location
Bexley, Kent
Other bloke hit the deck too, but other than torn jeans, was okay. Paramedics didn't bother to check him over. Very, very apologetic, offered to pay for damage etc.
 

Hitchington

Lovely stuff
Location
That London
Ouch! Hope you and the bike get well soon.
 
OP
OP
rb58

rb58

Enigma
Location
Bexley, Kent
The pedestrian was really shocked. Couldn't stop apologising, and definitely not deliberate. He could easily have come off much worse than me - after all I ran into him, and I'm not a lightweight! And what sort of condition would he be in now if I had been a motorbike or a car, rather than a push bike?

Fortunately it was only a few metres from a junction and I wasn't up to speed.

I've speculating whether I could have done anything differently - I guess you do after an incident like this - but I don't think there was. Short of riding in primary the whole time so you have more time to react if someone steps out. He had an American accent (though he was a business type, not a tourist) and I'm wondering whether he just forgot which side of the road we drive/ride and and just looked the wrong way.
 

Sandra6

Veteran
Location
Cumbria
What is it with pedestrians and stepping off the pavements without looking??? Or worse looking straight at you and then crossing anyway with that "you know you won't hit me" look on their faces??!!!
Drives me mad.
Glad you're ok though RB, and atleast the other guy accepted responsibility.
I called out to a young lad the other day, who was just about to step in front of me "heads up, look where you're going" as I rounded a corner -he still stepped off the pavement and then did a 360 while looking gormlessly at me.
Once I'd passed he started shouting after me what a "mental arse" I was. Kind of wish I'd atleast ran over his toes now.
 

Miquel In De Rain

No Longer Posting
I've stepped off a few times and I must admit I was horrified,did it.In Bangkok I did it (because I forgot about the road layout) and was lucky,could have been hit by a car...Doesn't happen often to me but I have done it.

Perhaps another one is running across the road or crossing in traffic without looking.
 
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