Mrs Like-a-biker, Mrs Likes-her-Life

It took me until 10 0’clock at night last night, and when I FELL asleep, to physically stop shaking. From adrenaline and shock and damn bloody sheer anger.

There are only a few things which really rile me. Motor users who refuse to allow cyclists a safe trip is near the top of the list.

Last night I almost got knocked off my bike TWICE by the same guy, in a white van (such a cliche – which was added fuel to my firey hell and damnation rage). He flew past me, almost knocking me over he was that close (I would say, an inch from my side). Then he braked, indicated and immediately turned left. In front of me. Almost ON me.

Now, I wear high visability clothing. I only ever cycle in daylight. I wear a helmet. I am responsible as a cyclist. I am fully aware of traffic about me and do all the signals. I am OTT in my nerdiness about this. This is because I value my life. It is that simple.

I can only put this in points form because already I feel my rage beginning to bubble again…and I have run out of sugar for my tea and eaten the fudge bar my mum bought me yesterday. I have Britmums next week and can not afford to start eating massive amounts of sugar to calm my nerves. I have a new dress. I bought a size too small.

1) I refuse to believe that this (see jacket below) is not visible or something not easily noticed. If drivers don’t notice it, they should not be driving. They should get eyes their eyes tested.

2) I wear a cycle hemlet. ALWAYS. Recently I heard a theory that some cyclists don’t wear helmets because studies have shown that if a vehicle driver sees a cyclist without a helmet they are more likely to think “what an idiot”. The vehicle driver will then be more wary of the cyclist and allow them more space and therefore making vehicle drivers more “safety concious”. I think this is tosh. I liken it to not using a condom when you have sex with a stranger because you trust them to look out for you and your safety. It isn’t responsible. Your safety, Your responsibility. Assume everyone else is a selfish git.

3) Motor drivers – If motor drivers drive so that they could knock over or drive into a cyclist, that cyclist could die. By driving too close, too fast, too erratically, by cutting them up the motor driver could actually run over a person. Car drivers would not take aim or drive irresponsibly close to someone who is walking along the pavement, I don’t understand why motorists don’t take the same attitude with cyclists!

This has nothing to do with kids or being a stay at home mum. It just really bothered me last night. So, I blogged about it. Because what else can I do? Well, what I DID do was get off my bike, storm up to the pr*ck, kick his tyres and bang on his van asking him in various forms what in the hell did he think he was doing? His answer? Well, you saw me indicate. He could not understand the problem with him almost knocking me off my bike the first time by driving too close and then indicating seconds before he crossed left across my path and almost running me over. I took his number plate – more for effect really, than to do anything. Because nothing can be done. Because no one cares about cyclists. So, I blogged about it because if I don’t tell someone I may explode.

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12 Responses to Mrs Like-a-biker, Mrs Likes-her-Life

  1. bonniecrfot says:

    Im with you on this one Hannah . As a keen cyclist myself I try and cycle not too much into the gutter ,just out a bit .Working on the theory, that, hopefully the drivers then have to go around you and not cut you up . Not a nice experiance.
    Hope it hasnt put you off love x

  2. Carly says:

    Wanker x

  3. Sarah says:

    Aaagh! That is so annoying. And so scary. Blog about it is the only solution! There’s no rules to say you should only write about kids’ stuff.

    • Hannah says:

      Thank you! I am still so livid about it!!! I can feel my fudge bar wearing off…this is not good news Sarah…not good at all…x

  4. Matilda Today says:

    You can report him to the police if you want for dangerous driving. Think they can choose to have a word if they want. Also Google ghost bikes in London. Really sad but may make some drivers think twice.

  5. @babberblog says:

    First off, well done for giving the driver a piece of your mind, too many cyclists are passive about incidents like this.

    Kudos for stopping short of setting fire to him, which is probably what he deserved.

    I can, usually, just about let drivers off for passing too close. It does smack of bad roadcraft on their part, however sometimes things can change very quickly and they may get caught out. I know that, when driving, this has happened to me. I always apologise to the cyclist if this happens, because I am one of them on many occasions and know how annoying it is.

    Conversely, turning left immediately after passing a cyclist is high level fuckwittery, with a side order of twattishness. Drivers, in their ton-plus mobile death wagons, need to be more aware that if they make contact with the soft squishy cyclist there is likely to be significant damage to that person. Yes. PERSON. It’s not the same as hitting another car, or a bollard, or signpost. Stop being a dick. You are NOT in that much of a fucking hurry. You do NOT need to be where you’re going five seconds sooner than you’d be had you waited for the cyclist to pass the junction. You REALLY do NOT want the death of a cyclist on your hands for the rest of your life, because it will change it forever.

    As a cyclist (and sorry if I’m teaching you to suck eggs here) you need to be extremely assertive in your road positioning. Make it nigh on impossible for people in cars to do these things and your chance of death or maiming will be greatly reduced.

    That study about the helmet wearing was incredibly flawed, though it gets a lot of press. Unfortunately, a bike helmet is not designed to bear the brunt of an impact with a car (if it was, it would look like, and be as heavy as, a motorbike helmet). I’d still rather be wearing one than not, though I’d never advocate it being made law. Personal choice, innit.

    Finally (and congratulations if you’re still with me) have you considered wearing a video camera when cycling? Lots of cyclists doing this now, and there are now a few cases where it has been successfully used as evidence to convict a motorist. They’re cheap now too.

    Hope you’ve calmed down a bit now, have another Fudge 🙂

    • Hannah says:

      Thanks for the comment! It is obviously something you feel passionately about! Totally agree with your points. Had not thought about a video camera, but I may look in to it. Where do you get them from?
      Cheers mate.

  6. Em says:

    I used to cycle down to work every morning at about 6am (during the summer, so was light) took about 6 or 7 mins (downhill!) a Morrisons arctic would go passed on the same point every day, and pretty much push me into the field. They would have got shitty phone calls every morning if their customer service had been open early enough!!
    Started driving today, by myself, in my own car (scarey scarey oh em eff gee I nearly cacked my pants) and was so worrried about passing cyclists. Pretty much ended up on the other side of the road, if safe, so I didn’t squish anyone!

    • Hannah says:

      HA! Oi. Bird. YOU said….when I get my car I will go and visit Hannah. You have had that car *checks watch* 10 hours?…….

      • Em says:

        I know I know! But it’s much scarier driving alone than I thought!!! During the summer holidays I’ll book a few days off work and come up 🙂 (oh and his name is Alan. Cos I can’t work out if he’s boy or girl… So we went inbetween, and settled for Alan. Cos he’s a Carr… Hahaha)

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