I'm now sitting at home convalescing with a mug of tea after this mornings commute.
Riding my usual route- which is generally not too busy and as a rule used by considerate motorists - I got buzzed by a scooter just before a set of traffic lights, which were on red. My initial (and perhaps naive thought was that he had just misjudged things a bit. So when he stopped in the queue I passed him and said (in a calm and 'offering advice' kind of voice) 'Give me a bit more room next time, mate.'
I proceeded to the front of the traffic and set off when the lights turned green. Next thing I know I can hear the scooter behind me. At this point I guessed that the first buzz had not been an accident. Newxt thing I know I hear him laughing as he drew along side me, took his left hand off his handle bars and pushed me into the pavement. In a bid to steady myself I put my right arm out to steady myself (which almost had him off to be honest) but by then I was wobbling across the rode. I ended sprawled across the road, my new (to me, but really second hand) Assos gloves were shredded, the arm of my glasses snapped, chin grazed, road rash in all the usual places, bar tape ripped off, steering unit all skewed and severely dented pride.
At least the people behind me stopped, checked I was ok. I was very grateful but what is it about cyclists? I was lying on the road, victim of a potentially serious assault and people were crowding round offering help, first aid and lifts and all I could think was a) my bike, how's my bike? and
don't look after me get the number of the scrote who did this.
I've reported it to the police but I don't think it'll get far (no registration etc). Writing it all down here gets it off my chest.
BTW: cyclists in Cheltenham - beware the imbecile on a scooter (Hales Road, 0745).
Riding my usual route- which is generally not too busy and as a rule used by considerate motorists - I got buzzed by a scooter just before a set of traffic lights, which were on red. My initial (and perhaps naive thought was that he had just misjudged things a bit. So when he stopped in the queue I passed him and said (in a calm and 'offering advice' kind of voice) 'Give me a bit more room next time, mate.'
I proceeded to the front of the traffic and set off when the lights turned green. Next thing I know I can hear the scooter behind me. At this point I guessed that the first buzz had not been an accident. Newxt thing I know I hear him laughing as he drew along side me, took his left hand off his handle bars and pushed me into the pavement. In a bid to steady myself I put my right arm out to steady myself (which almost had him off to be honest) but by then I was wobbling across the rode. I ended sprawled across the road, my new (to me, but really second hand) Assos gloves were shredded, the arm of my glasses snapped, chin grazed, road rash in all the usual places, bar tape ripped off, steering unit all skewed and severely dented pride.
At least the people behind me stopped, checked I was ok. I was very grateful but what is it about cyclists? I was lying on the road, victim of a potentially serious assault and people were crowding round offering help, first aid and lifts and all I could think was a) my bike, how's my bike? and
don't look after me get the number of the scrote who did this. I've reported it to the police but I don't think it'll get far (no registration etc). Writing it all down here gets it off my chest.
BTW: cyclists in Cheltenham - beware the imbecile on a scooter (Hales Road, 0745).
