Female cyclist, Montrose Terrace, around 9.10am this morning. I stopped briefly to see if she was okay. She was conscious, but in pain, clutching back of her head/neck. Had been laid down on her back on pavement with clothing under her head to support it. Passersby seemed to have situation in hand and were phoning emergency services. I hope she'll be okay.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
Cyclist down
(28 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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Keeping fingers crossed for her.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Sending well wishes her way and hoping she has a speedy recovery.
Posted 12 years ago # -
oh dear. not nice to hear. Lots of women cyclists out this morning. think we need to do some more research on gender breakdown in Edinburgh
Posted 12 years ago # -
Why would you want to do research on gender break down?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Because it's there - An emininent Everestologist.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Well that's not a bad reason… didn't work out all that well for Mallory of course.
Posted 12 years ago # -
the female cyclist would be myself.
the driver opened his door pretty wide with no notice and sent me over the handle bars.No broken bones just muscle and soft tissue damage, i was very lucky. The driver who I believe to be a politician at this moment is ignoring my calls to see if you would like to pay the £80 to replace my front wheel.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Glad to hear you're mostly okay. I'm sure you can find a lawyer around here to help out if Mr Politician is not forthcoming. (lets hope it wouldn't come to that though).
Posted 12 years ago # -
Take it easy Kirsty - glad you are reasonably ok.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"The driver who I believe to be a politician at this moment is ignoring my calls to see if you would like to pay the £80 to replace my front wheel."
Intriguing!
I'm sure whoever it is will have more sense... You might have wanted to claim for more than a wheel.
Did the police turn up? Sounds like the sort of incident that legally requires reporting.
Glad you're OK enough to want to join CCE!
Stick around.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Hey Kirsty, I'm so glad that you are okay! Sorry I could not stop longer, but I could see others were helping.
Did you get his licence plate/insurance details?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Kirsty: I'm sorry the driver is being difficult. Stick in there. Naming and shaming (if you're confident enough and feel it's appropriate) may well have the desired effect, particularly given their prominent position in the community. Don't be afraid to get the police involved for leverage if you need to.
I was taken off my bike a few months ago and the best advice I received (here! - being a contractor) was to "claim for everything". In my concussed state, I hadn't factored in loss of earnings for the day off I had to take or thought about things that were damaged but would need replacing further on down the line - not just in the here and now.
Hope you make a very speedy recovery and don't let it dent your confidence.
Posted 12 years ago # -
This nearly happened to me the other day, guy was looking at his mobile while opening his door into the traffic stream, when i stopped to remonstrate with him he offered to beat me up!
Hope you recover quickly and well, claim for everything!
Posted 12 years ago # -
This is why in the car I drive in the door zone, if I take just one door off while driving maybe it'll save me or some one else while on the bike.
Posted 12 years ago # -
thank you steveo, great idea!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Indeed, my car is worth less ... actually it's just worthless.
Posted 12 years ago # -
@kirsty B - it's an offence to open a car door in such a way as to endanger others (let alone actually cause a crash).
By law, it's required that this incident is reported and I strongly recommend you make a statement at your local police station (hopefully some of those who helped you have given you their details as witnesses?)
If nothing else, this will be important when you come to claim against the driver's insurance and will help identify the issue in statistics, rather than letting it go uncounted.
Don't just claim for the wheel - take photographs of all your cuts and bruises and see your doctor. I have a friend who needed shoulder surgery and physio after a similar crash and he would have been in a difficult position if he'd already settled for a tiny amount for the bike after thinking he was fine.
I'd recommend you get in touch with one of the cycling lawyers who can take care of all of this for you (except the police bit, this is down to you).
Posted 12 years ago # -
Kirsty b - glad you are OK. I think about being car doored quite a lot, not nice thoughts
Ruggtommie - you didn't take him up on his offer did you?
We pointed out to a guy parked in the way of our bike shed that his car would get scratched and had he considered a better parking spot. He said he didn't care if it got scratched. we, the cyclists of the building have responded to his lack of regard
Posted 12 years ago # -
kirsty B - I really hope you make a quick recovery. I was really worried after reading crowriver's description. Thanks for posting on the forum by the way.
I think reporting it is a really good idea. Maybe you might regret not reporting it later?
Good luck, and if you need any more advice or help with bicycle stuff, I'm sure you'll find lots of willing people on the forum!
Other thoughts...
Avoiding the door zone is really difficult: I know I'm often in it, as I'm trying to not get in the way too much of the car behind me. To ride safely requires far too much assertiveness.In some parts of town the council have helpfully painted red door-zone-danger areas on the road to show where not to cycle:
http://goo.gl/maps/Ppz3Posted 12 years ago # -
Glad you are okay Kirsty. As you can see there are plenty of people here who can help you if you need it so you have come to the right place. :-)
Posted 12 years ago # -
My sympathies Kirsty.
As others have said; DONT rush to settle for £80 for a new wheel. There may be more damage to both yourself and the bike than is immediately apparent. Report the incident to the police and get an incident number - this helps for insurance claims. Get yourself thoroughly checked out medically. Take photographs of any injuries you have sustained. Finally get the bike checked over by a competent mechanic. and finally, finally get well soon.Posted 12 years ago # -
Does anyone have info on how to report it? Who do you phone/contact? What information do you need? etc...
Posted 12 years ago # -
Posted 12 years ago #
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@Kirsty B: I defo would report this and get an incident number from Polis. That way you will be able to 'name and shame' with impunity. This happened to me when I was 14yrs old outside Usher Hall on Lothian Road. It wrote off my bike at the time, but I didn't notice till day after when I'd a chance to properly check it and me over.
Like you, someone picked me up and set me on my feet and said 'ye'll be OK sonny! Cheerio!' I've been skelly ever since tho'! I'm a victim of the system! Be brave oh Little One!Posted 12 years ago # -
I think the others have already dispensed all the wise advice, so I shall just add another to the "glad you're OKays" and encourage you to report and claim. The Police have a point when they say if you don't report it, as far as theyr'e concerned it hasn't happened, so how are they to do anything about it.
As large a hole as possible in the driver's pocket / insurance premiums will hopefully make them think twice about swinging the door open without looking the next time.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Yup report it to the police get an incident number and make sure you claim for everything. I was dumped off my bike in the same way you were 2 years ago. I let the apologetic motorist drive off thinking I and my bike were not too badly off. Hadn't realised my gearing was knackered along with brakes, mudguards & lights plus the fact my left leg was black from top to bottom and I had to take a couple of days off.
feel better soon
Posted 12 years ago # -
glad you're ok kirstyb! you should definitely report it to the police, as you were injured by the driver's carelessness.
Posted 12 years ago #
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