Saw a cyclist knocked down this evening.

[Archie_tect]

Odd that the policeman didn't appear to take proper control and come to the aid of the injured person as a priority, then take statements, and witness details to follow up, after she had been taken care of. Hate to have to rely on him first on the scene of a major RTA with that lack of authority.

 

[kishan]

well done for helping the cyclist, wow the police in the area seems stupid guessing county force? glad the cyclist is ok

 

[dawesome]

Crap policing.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Perhaps most PLOD are ignorant of cycling issues to a degree anyway...as mostly they are drivers and not cyclists. As such I suspect that like most people out there they see things as a driver sees them, not as a cyclist would. There will be exceptions, and I suspect they may have some trining on this issue(???) but I'd wager for the mostpart they are thinking like a car driver.

 

[User482]

My suspiscion is that Crankarm's generally, er, combative style means that some people are keener to jump in and contradict him than they would if the OP had been someone else.

Other people just like to bang their own drums no matter what.

I agree. I commend crankarm for looking after the victim, and hope that I would do the same.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Perhaps most PLOD are ignorant of cycling issues to a degree anyway...as mostly they are drivers and not cyclists. As such I suspect that like most people out there they see things as a driver sees them, not as a cyclist would. There will be exceptions, and I suspect they may have some trining on this issue(???) but I'd wager for the mostpart they are thinking like a car driver.

I've never had any training in cycling - I made a post which mentioned this ages ago. Until I started cycling myself, I quite simply, had no clue, so yes - I would have seen things as a motorist. I insist on pointing out though that this doesn't mean I'd have always sided with a motorist!

It's probably safest to assume though that any officer dealing with your case has no idea of primary/secondary positioning, no idea how fast you can actually go, no idea about door zones, and feel that perhaps you haven't considered the risks if you don't wear a helmet. However, as I said before, even though I would have had no idea about any of these things prior to cycling myself, I would have happily listened to someone explain them to me, and understood. Just be willing to explain calmly, and hope the officer you get isn't a tool who thinks he knows everything (most of us aren't, I promise!)

 

[Bman]

The problem is, laying in the road, injured after being knocked down by a car, or (random other example) after you have had a driver bullying you off the road, is not the best time to construct a calm explanation.

In fact, that kind of proves Arch's point. Just like the Driver of the car having a go at the injured cyclist, we may not react at the best of our abilities after an unfavorable altercation.

 

[CopperCyclist]

The problem is, laying in the road, injured after being knocked down by a car, or (random other example) after you have had a driver bullying you off the road, is not the best time to construct a calm explanation.

In fact, that kind of proves Arch's point. Just like the Driver of the car having a go at the injured cyclist, we may not react at the best of our abilities after an unfavorable altercation.

Yep, agreed. However, if someone was lying in the road injured, hurt then I as the officer on scene wouldn't really be looking to get much more than a basic 'What happened' - and I'd be asking paramedics if it was ok to ask this first. Primary issue would be the casualty. No decisions would be getting made at the side of the road in the case of an injury that could be serious or require hospital treatment, so the full (and calm!) explanation could wait until later when the casualty is recovered and comfortable.

This would, and should, be the same whether you are a cyclist, a pedestrian or a motorist.

If you are unlucky enough to get a copper who is willing to start arguing and blaming a casualty while they are still lying on the road, I'd suggest that's a problem regardless.

To sum up, I'm not suggesting you have to explain the basics of cycling straight away at the scene, but be aware it may be useful to do so later, when you've recovered and are giving your full account/statement.

 

[dawesome]

The driver being unwilling to call an ambulance is most damning.

 

[skudupnorth]

A BIG WELL DONE from me aswell Crankarm !!!!!!! Hope she recovers and keep us posted.

 

[CopperCyclist]

[QUOTE 1703432, member: 9609"]I wonder if some people don't wan't to show any care or concern in case that makes them look guilty. If you had arrived on the scene that Crankarm describes and seen the driver upset and caring for the cyclist could your first impression be this woman's guilty? [/quote]

Possibly... but contrary to popular belief, first impressions don't last, and in the end, evidence is needed at court (civil or otherwise) and if people are calculated enough to be deliberately uncaring because they think it might help them, then it's another sad state for society!

Personally, I think it was simple 'blame transference' on the part of the woman. I hope that part of her was so upset at what she had caused, that her subconscious made it necessary for her to reason why it wasn't her fault. It's still no excuse for not rendering basic care though

 

[vernon]

My suspiscion is that Crankarm's generally, er, combative style means that some people are keener to jump in and contradict him than they would if the OP had been someone else.

Other people just like to bang their own drums no matter what.

Combative?

Like this?

"I should tell you where to get off for being so obnoxious. I would even help you if you were knocked off your bike if only so I could have the satisfaction of having done the right thing and then being able to call you a total sh1t to your face which is what you are. if you haven't anything constructive to say FFS stay away from your keyboard. Didn't your parents ever teach you any manners?"

It's far from acceptable behaviour and no matter what I might have done to cause him to have a rant, his response is typically over the top, belligerant and other forum users, I am sure had they posted similar comments would be castigated.

I have every sympathy with the woman and I wish her well and Crankarms's aid was commendable. He does not, however do himself any favours with his choice of words and confrontational style. At no point did I make a personal attack on him yet his response was an ad hominem attack and totally out of order.

 

[Arch]

Wha'evah.

I gave up being bothered by Crankarm's style a while ago, and it's just nicer.

 

[MacB]

Cranky, good show sir, you were right and I'd be glad of any comfort coming my way if I was knocked off.

Forum retelling ability is still in need of a little practice

Re the drivers reaction, has it always been like this or is it getting worse? Is fear of liability and potential financial implications becoming so deeply ingrained that it overcomes our basic humanity? I'm sure we'd all have varying emotions coursing through us, if we were a driver, in a similar situation, fight or flight being well up there. I'd like to think that most would quickly dismiss this as compassion took over, but I'm not so sure.

The more I see of driving standards and behaviours the more the childhood phrase 'you should have thought of that before you did it' comes to mind. The 'drive' to progress, and a woeful lack of anticipation, seem common place.

 

[Nantmor]

I'm not a Christian, but I was brought up as one, and this story reminds me irresistibly of "The Good Samaritan".