RTA- Main "A" Road Due To ICE

[gb155]

Morning All, 3 weeks ago I had a nasty RTA, I was cycling along a main arterial route when my bike slipped on ICE, I had already cycled 5 miles and was just a mile from work when it happened, so I had been cycling in accordance with the conditions having navigated many side roads that had many inches of frozen snow on them.

I was KO'ed, taken to hospital and had just over 2 weeks off work due to my injurys (Head, Elbow, Knee & Hip).

I had no intention of making a compo claim, however I actually work for the Council that is responcible for the road in question and they have decided to take formal action agaist me for having time off, they have also suggested I dont cycle anymore incase I have another accident, the attitude of them have really got to me, as such I am now considering making a claim, the question I have is, would I actually get anywhere with it ???

 

[jig-sore]

that's shocking. one for the local papers i think !!!

 

[BentMikey]

Crikey GB, I'm sorry to hear that. What a right bunch of tossers!

 

[summerdays]

Are they going to stop car drivers from driving in ... my BIL had a major car accident last year on a slippy road surface - so in which case perhaps the advice to all staff should be to stay at home!!!

As for whether you could claim (speaking with no knowledge on the subject), I doubt it, otherwise think of all the pedestrians who could claim after slipping on the icy pavements and breaking limbs.

They can't dictate your method of getting to work anyway - apart from banning you from bringing your bike onto the premises.

Good Luck with this - presumably you have a doctor's note to support the time off? If so what reason do they have to take formal action? (My work was the opposite last year and wouldn't let me come back for insurance purposes).

 

[gb155]

Thanks everyone, Just to confirm there is NO way I will stop cycling to work, I couldnt, I cant afford the time or cost of public transport and my wife is disabled and although she has a car, she cant drive me to work at 6am, constructive dismissal anyone ?

With regard to icy footways, I know the council must keep the main arterial roads clear of snow and ice (Because of the job I do within the same Council) however this does not extend to the footways.

Im not someone who has ever made a compo claim but the whole attitude of this has REALLY ****** me off

I did get a Doctors note, who signed it for 2 weeks but advised I should have really taken a little more time off due to my broken state lol.

 

[Vikeonabike]

Firstly get your union involved (I cannot believe I'm suggesting that!), then I would get a meeting organised (with union rep present) with management. Make sure that you make a big point of showing the difference cycling has made to your health. Also ask what there attitude would have been if you had been hurt driving into work.
If that doesn't seem to be working, then let it slip that friends and family are that unhappy with the councils treatment of yourself that they may be willing to go to the press. Especially as you at least made the effort to get into work rather than stay at home. May be worth talking to one of the cycling specific lawyers for advice.

Good luck and keep riding.

 

[jimboalee]

You're employers CANNOT dictate the method you choose to travel to work. It is YOUR time, not theirs.

Are you a member of the CTC?
Are you a member of a trades union?

Being a member of a trades union, I have legal representation for incidents that happen when I am making an attempt to attend my workplace.

Being a member of the CTC, I have legal representation for incidents that happen when I am taking leisure time on my bike.

Was the road a bus route? You could try the 'negligence' approach.

Go to CAB or at worse, a 'personal injuries solicitor'.

 

[2Loose]

+1 to VoB

Councils love to speak (not) to UnisonGMB so that should be your first telephone call, even if you are not a member already.
They love the press even less, so that threat would hold quite some weight.
Shocking treatment tbh.

 

[gb155]

Firstly get your union involved (I cannot believe I'm suggesting that!), then I would get a meeting organised (with union rep present) with management. Make sure that you make a big point of showing the difference cycling has made to your health. Also ask what there attitude would have been if you had been hurt driving into work.
If that doesn't seem to be working, then let it slip that friends and family are that unhappy with the councils treatment of yourself that they may be willing to go to the press. Especially as you at least made the effort to get into work rather than stay at home. May be worth talking to one of the cycling specific lawyers for advice.

Good luck and keep riding.

Thanks for that, I will NEVER stop riding

 

[beanzontoast]

Really sorry to hear this. What are things coming to when people can't choose how they travel to work? Sounds daft to me. If you'd been rollerskating/stiltwalking to work I can see they might have a point - but cycling is an accepted everyday mode of transport, full stop.

 

[fossyant]

Your employers are out of order - well your boss is.

You have a sick note, you fell on ice. Plenty of folk have slipped on ice and broken bones when walking - so should they not walk. Many folk have been injured in RTA's in cars in the ice...should they not drive..... ballcocks.

You'll not get anywhere with an ice fall claim, it's just one of those hazards.

But I'd kick up a stink about then insisting you don't ride, and as you've put so much work into losing all that weight, explain that you're still far healthier with the odd risk of an off.

They don't have a leg to stand on - straight to HR if I were you - genuine accident ? As you've already got some good contacts in the press, I'd drop a hint to one of them - would make a cracking story.

May I suggest Studded tyres next year....they help vastly.

Heal well.

 

[jimboalee]

Really sorry to hear this. What are things coming to when people can't choose how they travel to work? Sounds daft to me. If you'd been rollerskating/stiltwalking to work I can see they might have a point - but cycling is an accepted everyday mode of transport, full stop.

I once had a job 2 miles from home, so I used my skateboard.

No problems, just some high spirited jibes like "Hang ten, radical dude!"

And it wasn't when British Leyland was dubbed British Playland.

 

[HelenD123]

Shocking. I was going to make the same comment about having an accident whilst driving to work. And what about those people who slipped on the pavement and broke bones whilst out doing something non work-related. There's no way my place of work would punish them. Accidents happen. If you do some research there's evidence that getting to work by any other way than driving benefits the employer as you're more alert when you arrive and take less time off sick.

 

[661-Pete]

The most heart-warming thing to read out of your posts, is your determination to keep on cycling. Go for it! Hope your injuries are healing up well.

As for the mischief being tried on by your employers, well that puts my little - er - 'spat' with my employers* in the shade! You need to get the CTC involved (even if you're not a member), they will put you on to the right lawyers if nothing else. Fight this one and good luck!

*What happened to me, some years ago, was that a former boss tried to get me to wear full leathers/MC-helmet etc. etc. His argument was "we can't afford to lose you". My retort was, they were more likely to 'lose' me to heart attack or stroke, if I gave up cycling. As it turned out, I've had only two days off in the last 20 years or so, to cycling injury. And that was after that former boss had left the company.

 

[2Loose]

I also bet your Local Authority has a green transport policy? It would be hipocritical of them to suggest a less environmentally friendly mode of transport. I also bet that it is part of your manager's contract that all Council Policies are followed and not discouraged.

I can see the headlines now; 'Labour(?) Council says 'Do as I say, not as I do'