Hit a cyclist in my car!! (no not badly)

[GrubNut]

Last thursday night I hit a cyclist in my car. It wasn't bad, the guy wasn't hurt or anything but it freaked me out.

I can honestly say it wasn't my fault, It was on the the intersection of Separation st and st georges road travelling along Separation. Double lane road I was travelling in the right line the cyclist in the (right hand side of) the left lane.

Then the guy turns right into the RIGHT lane, directly into my path, in the middle of the intersection! Nothing i could do but slam on the brakes and hit the guy.

He had headphones on and looked fairly stoned. So If you're reading this, mate I hope you're ok, but jeez, you've got to be more careful!

[and1]

What a nutter, riding in traffic with headphones. Some riders just need to learn some common sense before they should even touch the road.

[danv]

He had headphones on and looked fairly stoned.
Hehe. It could've been any number of people I know.

Myself included.

[Squidly Didly]

Although I havent practised this theory in nearly a year, I find i'm much more alert when riding with music. Because i'm no longer relying on my ears to hear vehicles, I tend to keep my head up (as opposed to so many riders who ride with their heads down). My eyes are wide open, and my head is always looking around. Just don't have it so loud that you can't hear horns or sirens.

[Superman]

i think there needs to be a law against this sort of stuff. it would have been the week before last a girl in melbourne got run over by a tram because she didnt hear it because she was listening to an ipod. then theres accidents like this. dont feel guilty grub nut because you were the one being aware.

[GrubNut]

Although I havent practised this theory in nearly a year, I find i'm much more alert when riding with music. Because i'm no longer relying on my ears to hear vehicles, I tend to keep my head up (as opposed to so many riders who ride with their heads down). My eyes are wide open, and my head is always looking around. Just don't have it so loud that you can't hear horns or sirens.

Ahhh, I thought I recognised the bike... did you get that back wheel straight? :P

[luckyphil]

i think there needs to be a law against this sort of stuff. it would have been the week before last a girl in melbourne got run over by a tram because she didnt hear it because she was listening to an ipod. then theres accidents like this. dont feel guilty grub nut because you were the one being aware.
thats bullshit, why didnt she have a look?
i've got a deaf friend, and he aint dead.

[GrubNut]

dont feel guilty grub nut because you were the one being aware.

*snif* thanks man. My therapist says it will take time but I'll be OK in the end :P

[Squidly Didly]

Ahhh, I thought I recognised the bike... did you get that back wheel straight? :P
Nuckfuckle :P
Nah you did all you can do. It's the cyclist fault for not being alert!
Superman: Unfortuantely this goes beyond the earphones. Think about all those cars out there with their soundproofing of everything outside. Then there's those with stereos cranked right up that you can't hear anything but their cds. This thing happens all the time!

[RCOH]

Although I havent practised this theory in nearly a year, I find i'm much more alert when riding with music. Because i'm no longer relying on my ears to hear vehicles, I tend to keep my head up (as opposed to so many riders who ride with their heads down). My eyes are wide open, and my head is always looking around. Just don't have it so loud that you can't hear horns or sirens.

I second this motion.

All in favour, say 'aye'.

Aye!!

[parallax]

He had headphones on and looked fairly stoned. So If you're reading this, mate I hope you're ok, but jeez, you've got to be more careful!
Was he about 5'10", riding a black .243 with 888's??

[W2ttsy]

He had headphones on and looked fairly stoned. So If you're reading this, mate I hope you're ok, but jeez, you've got to be more careful!
Was he about 5'10", riding a black .243 with 888's??

wouldnt happen to be this one would it?

http://www.farkin.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16177

haha, that is Naz's freshly built rig. painful if youve hit it...

leave much damage on the car?

W2ttsy

[dilemma]

Although I havent practised this theory in nearly a year, I find i'm much more alert when riding with music. Because i'm no longer relying on my ears to hear vehicles, I tend to keep my head up (as opposed to so many riders who ride with their heads down). My eyes are wide open, and my head is always looking around. Just don't have it so loud that you can't hear horns or sirens.

I second this motion.

All in favour, say 'aye'.

Aye!!

Likewise. I don't ride with music all the time, but I do find that it tends to magnify the traffic noises, making me more alert. Although I generally wait until I get onto quieter roads and off the highway until I start the music rolling.

[sam__kent]

i think there needs to be a law against this sort of stuff. it would have been the week before last a girl in melbourne got run over by a tram because she didnt hear it because she was listening to an ipod. Do you not feel that "a law against this sort of stuff" is kind of knee-jerk? I don't wear headphones much at all, and never on the bike, but I don't feel there should be a law against it.

People are responsible for their actions whether they care to admit it or not. Over-regulation = police state. We ride our bikes off-road to get away from that crap. I get enough rules and regs at work...

[johnny]

Although I havent practised this theory in nearly a year, I find i'm much more alert when riding with music. Because i'm no longer relying on my ears to hear vehicles, I tend to keep my head up (as opposed to so many riders who ride with their heads down). My eyes are wide open, and my head is always looking around. Just don't have it so loud that you can't hear horns or sirens.

Agreed!

RCOH Forwarded the motion:
All in favour, say 'aye'.

Aye!!

Aye, aye and thrice aye!

[Rik]

There is a law against riding with headphones, AFAIK. Goes along the same lines that make it illegal to play overly loud music in your car.
As for that poor girl being hit by a tram, there's no way you can blame the music directly, it was just poor awareness on her part. Deaf people don't get hit by trams as they're aware of their deafness, and compensate by being overly aware through other senses.

The music thing... no way I'd ride on roads whilst listening to music, I like to be able to hear things as they come up behind and pass me. It gives me the ability to judge their position on the road, and allow myself to correct my position if needed. Looking around can only do so much, and especially once you're moving at speed in traffic, you really have to keep your eyes scanning ahead, allowing only for a quick glance behind every now and then, and those quick glances aren't always enough to know what's happening behind you.

[GrubNut]

The music thing... no way I'd ride on roads whilst listening to music, I like to be able to hear things as they come up behind and pass me. It gives me the ability to judge their position on the road, and allow myself to correct my position if needed. Looking around can only do so much, and especially once you're moving at speed in traffic, you really have to keep your eyes scanning ahead, allowing only for a quick glance behind every now and then, and those quick glances aren't always enough to know what's happening behind you.

Amen Brutha!

[roasted]

I do listen to music, but only in one ear, usually the one closest to the footpath. I hear almost all, but can still enjoy the rhythm and fat riffs of my favorite metal bands.

(I saw inflames live! suck on that muthafucks!)

[naz]

Ahhh, I thought I recognised the bike... did you get that back wheel straight? :P
Nuckfuckle :P
Nah you did all you can do. It's the cyclist fault for not being alert!
Superman: Unfortuantely this goes beyond the earphones. Think about all those cars out there with their soundproofing of everything outside. Then there's those with stereos cranked right up that you can't hear anything but their cds. This thing happens all the time!

pish squid, ive been listenin to music ever ride since ive be able to ride, at levels so loud people within a metre or 2 perimeter can here, and havent been hit by a car, nor stacked because of music, its a old wives tail :P

He had headphones on and looked fairly stoned. So If you're reading this, mate I hope you're ok, but jeez, you've got to be more careful!
Was he about 5'10", riding a black .243 with 888's??

it wastn me im still alive,

[dilemma]

Respect to you GrubNut for having the guts to post this on a cycling forum! I'm serious. These things happen and it's always good to know that there are decent, honest people around. :)

Pity there are still so many dickheads with no idea.