Cyclist dies on unroadworthy wreck.

On 20/05/2015 16:28, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:32, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:18, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:25, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:08, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 10:44, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:47, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:08, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:02, Mrcheerful wrote:
Recumbent rider failed to notice the likelihood of a car door
opening,
failed to pass sufficiently wide and due to his type of machine
and
its
condition, fell off and died. Viable transport?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/...e-died-9290908









Hmm! The lady said "Mrs Jackson said: “I consider myself to be a
careful and competent driver. I feel very sorry that the cyclist
died
but don’t think there’s anything I could have done different to
avoid
this accident.”

How about looking before opening her door?
She *obviously* caused the accident by her
carelessness.

Recumbents are very low to the ground and would be easy to miss
with a
quick glance in a mirror.
The cyclist was also careless, he would have seen the vehicle stop
and
would know that the likelihood is that a door will open soon
after, he
failed to allow enough room or stopping distance to avoid the
possibility, his machine was of such a type and in such poor
condition
that he left it all too late to slow, stop or otherwise avoid the
obvious obstacle.

"a quick glance"!?
Unlike you, I look *very* carefully before opening my car doors.
She was to blame, unless you strangely consider that the accident
would've happened even if she hadn't opened the door?
She opened her door carelessly, resulting in his death.
How you can side with her is beyond me.

I do not side with her. She failed to look enough, however the
cyclist
could also have avoided the incident by being more observant. As the
most vulnerable one he needed to take the most care, yet he clearly
did
not.

How on earth can a cyclist avoid a car door suddenly being opened when
you're a few feet away from the door and travelling at around 15mph?
I've had several close calls like that when I've been cycling.
Car drivers are notorious for not seeing cyclists and not just door
openings, but many don't look properly at junctions. I've had many just
pull out dangerously because they haven't seen me. They only seem to be
looking out for cars etc. Too much of a hurry and not enough care.


It is called anticipation and is a part of defensive driving/riding. The
cyclist is the vulnerable one and will usually be hurt in any collision,
why on earth would the cyclist not do everything in his power to make
his journey safer? Relying upon other people to be perfect is not the
way to travel safely when using any form of road transport. Saying its
someone else's fault does not help when you are dead or seriously
injured.

I always try to anticipate, but it's not always possible to anticipate
car doors suddenly opening. If you cycled, you'd know what I mean.


If you cannot anticipate that the driver's door is likely to open soon
after a car has pulled up, then perhaps you should not be using the roads.

A safe speed and machine coupled with a suitable distance from the car
would mean that cyclist would likely still be alive.


So tell me how you stay a doors width away from parked cars when you're
driving your car and the road is just not wide enough without going over
the white centre line?

On 20/05/2015 17:10, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 16:28, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:32, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:18, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:25, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:08, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 10:44, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:47, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:08, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:02, Mrcheerful wrote:
Recumbent rider failed to notice the likelihood of a car door
opening,
failed to pass sufficiently wide and due to his type of machine
and
its
condition, fell off and died. Viable transport?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/...e-died-9290908










Hmm! The lady said "Mrs Jackson said: “I consider myself to be a
careful and competent driver. I feel very sorry that the cyclist
died
but don’t think there’s anything I could have done different to
avoid
this accident.”

How about looking before opening her door?
She *obviously* caused the accident by her
carelessness.

Recumbents are very low to the ground and would be easy to miss
with a
quick glance in a mirror.
The cyclist was also careless, he would have seen the vehicle stop
and
would know that the likelihood is that a door will open soon
after, he
failed to allow enough room or stopping distance to avoid the
possibility, his machine was of such a type and in such poor
condition
that he left it all too late to slow, stop or otherwise avoid the
obvious obstacle.

"a quick glance"!?
Unlike you, I look *very* carefully before opening my car doors.
She was to blame, unless you strangely consider that the accident
would've happened even if she hadn't opened the door?
She opened her door carelessly, resulting in his death.
How you can side with her is beyond me.

I do not side with her. She failed to look enough, however the
cyclist
could also have avoided the incident by being more observant. As the
most vulnerable one he needed to take the most care, yet he clearly
did
not.

How on earth can a cyclist avoid a car door suddenly being opened when
you're a few feet away from the door and travelling at around 15mph?
I've had several close calls like that when I've been cycling.
Car drivers are notorious for not seeing cyclists and not just door
openings, but many don't look properly at junctions. I've had many
just
pull out dangerously because they haven't seen me. They only seem
to be
looking out for cars etc. Too much of a hurry and not enough care.


It is called anticipation and is a part of defensive driving/riding.
The
cyclist is the vulnerable one and will usually be hurt in any
collision,
why on earth would the cyclist not do everything in his power to make
his journey safer? Relying upon other people to be perfect is not the
way to travel safely when using any form of road transport. Saying its
someone else's fault does not help when you are dead or seriously
injured.

I always try to anticipate, but it's not always possible to anticipate
car doors suddenly opening. If you cycled, you'd know what I mean.


If you cannot anticipate that the driver's door is likely to open soon
after a car has pulled up, then perhaps you should not be using the
roads.

A safe speed and machine coupled with a suitable distance from the car
would mean that cyclist would likely still be alive.


So tell me how you stay a doors width away from parked cars when you're
driving your car and the road is just not wide enough without going over
the white centre line?

You stay at a speed that will allow you to stop, you observe whether
there are people in the cars that might open a door, you use the horn if
needed.

On 20/05/2015 15:39, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:23, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:01, RJH wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:02, Mrcheerful wrote:
Recumbent rider failed to notice the likelihood of a car door opening,
failed to pass sufficiently wide and due to his type of machine and its
condition, fell off and died. Viable transport?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/...e-died-9290908





The school run is a bad time for cyclists, and I suspect anybody on or
near roads. I give cars a very wide berth at those times.

Just out of interest, how would you 'notice the likelihood of a car door
opening'? It's one of these things I cycle in anticipation of, and it
happens once or twice a year. Never hit yet, but I've come close.

I met a bloke who got caught - left him severely epileptic. Better than
the poor sod in your link though.


As the woman had only just pulled up it is very likely that an observant
road user would have seen her do so, and given a wide berth for the very
likely possibility of a door opening. Using a recumbent on the road
increases the difficulties of vision both by the cyclist and of the
cyclist, therefore the cyclist should have been taking even greater care
than a 'normal' cyclist to maintain safe speed and position while going
past a recently stopped car.

You're STILL siding with the driver.
She admitted that she had already clipped a bin with her wing mirror
before she got out. The woman is obviously a careless driver.
There's no other way to look at it, the accident *wouldn't* have
happened if she'd looked properly.
She was found guilty, end of story.



Most collisions occur when more than one road user makes a mistake, just
as in this case.

On 20/05/2015 17:10, Bod wrote:

On 20/05/2015 16:28, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:32, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:18, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:25, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:08, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 10:44, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:47, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:08, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:02, Mrcheerful wrote:

Recumbent rider failed to notice the likelihood of a car
car door opening, failed to pass sufficiently wide and
due to his type of machine and its condition, fell off
and died. Viable transport?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/...e-died-9290908

Hmm! The lady said "Mrs Jackson said: “I consider myself to be a
careful and competent driver. I feel very sorry that the cyclist
died but don’t think there’s anything I could have done different to
avoid this accident.”

How about looking before opening her door?
She *obviously* caused the accident by her
carelessness.

Recumbents are very low to the ground and would be easy to miss
with a quick glance in a mirror.
The cyclist was also careless, he would have seen the vehicle stop
and would know that the likelihood is that a door will open soon
after, he failed to allow enough room or stopping distance to avoid the
possibility, his machine was of such a type and in such poor
condition that he left it all too late to slow, stop or otherwise avoid the
obvious obstacle.

"a quick glance"!?
Unlike you, I look *very* carefully before opening my car doors.
She was to blame, unless you strangely consider that the accident
would've happened even if she hadn't opened the door?
She opened her door carelessly, resulting in his death.
How you can side with her is beyond me.

I do not side with her. She failed to look enough, however the
cyclist could also have avoided the incident by being more observant.
As the most vulnerable one he needed to take the most care, yet he
clearly did not.

How on earth can a cyclist avoid a car door suddenly being opened when
you're a few feet away from the door and travelling at around 15mph?
I've had several close calls like that when I've been cycling.
Car drivers are notorious for not seeing cyclists and not just door
openings, but many don't look properly at junctions. I've had many
just pull out dangerously because they haven't seen me. They only seem
to be looking out for cars etc. Too much of a hurry and not enough care.

It is called anticipation and is a part of defensive driving/riding.
The cyclist is the vulnerable one and will usually be hurt in any
collision,
why on earth would the cyclist not do everything in his power to make
his journey safer? Relying upon other people to be perfect is not the
way to travel safely when using any form of road transport. Saying its
someone else's fault does not help when you are dead or seriously
injured.

I always try to anticipate, but it's not always possible to anticipate
car doors suddenly opening. If you cycled, you'd know what I mean.

If you cannot anticipate that the driver's door is likely to open soon
after a car has pulled up, then perhaps you should not be using the
roads.

A safe speed and machine coupled with a suitable distance from the car
would mean that cyclist would likely still be alive.

So tell me how you stay a doors width away from parked cars when you're
driving your car and the road is just not wide enough without going over
the white centre line?

Answer: you proceed VERY carefully and assume as little as possible.

It's worked (for me) so far.

And, I would guess, for you too.

On 20/05/2015 17:14, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 17:10, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 16:28, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:32, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:18, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:25, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:08, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 10:44, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:47, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:08, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:02, Mrcheerful wrote:
Recumbent rider failed to notice the likelihood of a car door
opening,
failed to pass sufficiently wide and due to his type of machine
and
its
condition, fell off and died. Viable transport?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/...e-died-9290908











Hmm! The lady said "Mrs Jackson said: “I consider myself to be a
careful and competent driver. I feel very sorry that the cyclist
died
but don’t think there’s anything I could have done different to
avoid
this accident.”

How about looking before opening her door?
She *obviously* caused the accident by her
carelessness.

Recumbents are very low to the ground and would be easy to miss
with a
quick glance in a mirror.
The cyclist was also careless, he would have seen the vehicle stop
and
would know that the likelihood is that a door will open soon
after, he
failed to allow enough room or stopping distance to avoid the
possibility, his machine was of such a type and in such poor
condition
that he left it all too late to slow, stop or otherwise avoid the
obvious obstacle.

"a quick glance"!?
Unlike you, I look *very* carefully before opening my car doors.
She was to blame, unless you strangely consider that the accident
would've happened even if she hadn't opened the door?
She opened her door carelessly, resulting in his death.
How you can side with her is beyond me.

I do not side with her. She failed to look enough, however the
cyclist
could also have avoided the incident by being more observant. As
the
most vulnerable one he needed to take the most care, yet he clearly
did
not.

How on earth can a cyclist avoid a car door suddenly being opened
when
you're a few feet away from the door and travelling at around 15mph?
I've had several close calls like that when I've been cycling.
Car drivers are notorious for not seeing cyclists and not just door
openings, but many don't look properly at junctions. I've had many
just
pull out dangerously because they haven't seen me. They only seem
to be
looking out for cars etc. Too much of a hurry and not enough care.


It is called anticipation and is a part of defensive driving/riding.
The
cyclist is the vulnerable one and will usually be hurt in any
collision,
why on earth would the cyclist not do everything in his power to make
his journey safer? Relying upon other people to be perfect is not the
way to travel safely when using any form of road transport. Saying its
someone else's fault does not help when you are dead or seriously
injured.

I always try to anticipate, but it's not always possible to anticipate
car doors suddenly opening. If you cycled, you'd know what I mean.


If you cannot anticipate that the driver's door is likely to open soon
after a car has pulled up, then perhaps you should not be using the
roads.

A safe speed and machine coupled with a suitable distance from the car
would mean that cyclist would likely still be alive.


So tell me how you stay a doors width away from parked cars when you're
driving your car and the road is just not wide enough without going over
the white centre line?

You stay at a speed that will allow you to stop, you observe whether
there are people in the cars that might open a door, you use the horn if
needed.

Come on! you know that is not always possible. I've been driving for
over 50 years and have *never* had an accident, BUT I've had a lot of
close calls in cars. I don't believe that you've never driven close to
parked cars out of necessity on narrow roads in traffic doing about 30 mph.
In that situation, if a driver justs decides to open their door when you
are within a few yards of their door and the road is too narrow to drive
around it and it's too late to brake. You WILL hit the door.

On 20/05/2015 17:15, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:39, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:23, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:01, RJH wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:02, Mrcheerful wrote:
Recumbent rider failed to notice the likelihood of a car door opening,
failed to pass sufficiently wide and due to his type of machine and
its
condition, fell off and died. Viable transport?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/...e-died-9290908






The school run is a bad time for cyclists, and I suspect anybody on or
near roads. I give cars a very wide berth at those times.

Just out of interest, how would you 'notice the likelihood of a car
door
opening'? It's one of these things I cycle in anticipation of, and it
happens once or twice a year. Never hit yet, but I've come close.

I met a bloke who got caught - left him severely epileptic. Better than
the poor sod in your link though.


As the woman had only just pulled up it is very likely that an observant
road user would have seen her do so, and given a wide berth for the very
likely possibility of a door opening. Using a recumbent on the road
increases the difficulties of vision both by the cyclist and of the
cyclist, therefore the cyclist should have been taking even greater care
than a 'normal' cyclist to maintain safe speed and position while going
past a recently stopped car.

You're STILL siding with the driver.
She admitted that she had already clipped a bin with her wing mirror
before she got out. The woman is obviously a careless driver.
There's no other way to look at it, the accident *wouldn't* have
happened if she'd looked properly.
She was found guilty, end of story.



Most collisions occur when more than one road user makes a mistake, just
as in this case.

*She* was the *only* one found guilty.

On 20/05/2015 17:34, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 17:14, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 17:10, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 16:28, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:32, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:18, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:25, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:08, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 10:44, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:47, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:08, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:02, Mrcheerful wrote:
Recumbent rider failed to notice the likelihood of a car door
opening,
failed to pass sufficiently wide and due to his type of machine
and
its
condition, fell off and died. Viable transport?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/...e-died-9290908












Hmm! The lady said "Mrs Jackson said: “I consider myself to
be a
careful and competent driver. I feel very sorry that the cyclist
died
but don’t think there’s anything I could have done different to
avoid
this accident.”

How about looking before opening her door?
She *obviously* caused the accident by her
carelessness.

Recumbents are very low to the ground and would be easy to miss
with a
quick glance in a mirror.
The cyclist was also careless, he would have seen the vehicle
stop
and
would know that the likelihood is that a door will open soon
after, he
failed to allow enough room or stopping distance to avoid the
possibility, his machine was of such a type and in such poor
condition
that he left it all too late to slow, stop or otherwise avoid the
obvious obstacle.

"a quick glance"!?
Unlike you, I look *very* carefully before opening my car doors.
She was to blame, unless you strangely consider that the accident
would've happened even if she hadn't opened the door?
She opened her door carelessly, resulting in his death.
How you can side with her is beyond me.

I do not side with her. She failed to look enough, however the
cyclist
could also have avoided the incident by being more observant. As
the
most vulnerable one he needed to take the most care, yet he clearly
did
not.

How on earth can a cyclist avoid a car door suddenly being opened
when
you're a few feet away from the door and travelling at around 15mph?
I've had several close calls like that when I've been cycling.
Car drivers are notorious for not seeing cyclists and not just door
openings, but many don't look properly at junctions. I've had many
just
pull out dangerously because they haven't seen me. They only seem
to be
looking out for cars etc. Too much of a hurry and not enough care.


It is called anticipation and is a part of defensive driving/riding.
The
cyclist is the vulnerable one and will usually be hurt in any
collision,
why on earth would the cyclist not do everything in his power to make
his journey safer? Relying upon other people to be perfect is not
the
way to travel safely when using any form of road transport. Saying
its
someone else's fault does not help when you are dead or seriously
injured.

I always try to anticipate, but it's not always possible to anticipate
car doors suddenly opening. If you cycled, you'd know what I mean.


If you cannot anticipate that the driver's door is likely to open soon
after a car has pulled up, then perhaps you should not be using the
roads.

A safe speed and machine coupled with a suitable distance from the car
would mean that cyclist would likely still be alive.


So tell me how you stay a doors width away from parked cars when you're
driving your car and the road is just not wide enough without going over
the white centre line?

You stay at a speed that will allow you to stop, you observe whether
there are people in the cars that might open a door, you use the horn if
needed.

Come on! you know that is not always possible. I've been driving for
over 50 years and have *never* had an accident, BUT I've had a lot of
close calls in cars. I don't believe that you've never driven close to
parked cars out of necessity on narrow roads in traffic doing about 30 mph.
In that situation, if a driver justs decides to open their door when you
are within a few yards of their door and the road is too narrow to drive
around it and it's too late to brake. You WILL hit the door.

Has it ever happened to you?

It's never happened to me - not even close.

On 20/05/2015 17:34, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 17:14, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 17:10, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 16:28, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:32, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:18, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:25, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:08, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 10:44, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:47, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:08, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:02, Mrcheerful wrote:
Recumbent rider failed to notice the likelihood of a car door
opening,
failed to pass sufficiently wide and due to his type of machine
and
its
condition, fell off and died. Viable transport?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/...e-died-9290908












Hmm! The lady said "Mrs Jackson said: “I consider myself to
be a
careful and competent driver. I feel very sorry that the cyclist
died
but don’t think there’s anything I could have done different to
avoid
this accident.”

How about looking before opening her door?
She *obviously* caused the accident by her
carelessness.

Recumbents are very low to the ground and would be easy to miss
with a
quick glance in a mirror.
The cyclist was also careless, he would have seen the vehicle
stop
and
would know that the likelihood is that a door will open soon
after, he
failed to allow enough room or stopping distance to avoid the
possibility, his machine was of such a type and in such poor
condition
that he left it all too late to slow, stop or otherwise avoid the
obvious obstacle.

"a quick glance"!?
Unlike you, I look *very* carefully before opening my car doors.
She was to blame, unless you strangely consider that the accident
would've happened even if she hadn't opened the door?
She opened her door carelessly, resulting in his death.
How you can side with her is beyond me.

I do not side with her. She failed to look enough, however the
cyclist
could also have avoided the incident by being more observant. As
the
most vulnerable one he needed to take the most care, yet he clearly
did
not.

How on earth can a cyclist avoid a car door suddenly being opened
when
you're a few feet away from the door and travelling at around 15mph?
I've had several close calls like that when I've been cycling.
Car drivers are notorious for not seeing cyclists and not just door
openings, but many don't look properly at junctions. I've had many
just
pull out dangerously because they haven't seen me. They only seem
to be
looking out for cars etc. Too much of a hurry and not enough care.


It is called anticipation and is a part of defensive driving/riding.
The
cyclist is the vulnerable one and will usually be hurt in any
collision,
why on earth would the cyclist not do everything in his power to make
his journey safer? Relying upon other people to be perfect is not
the
way to travel safely when using any form of road transport. Saying
its
someone else's fault does not help when you are dead or seriously
injured.

I always try to anticipate, but it's not always possible to anticipate
car doors suddenly opening. If you cycled, you'd know what I mean.


If you cannot anticipate that the driver's door is likely to open soon
after a car has pulled up, then perhaps you should not be using the
roads.

A safe speed and machine coupled with a suitable distance from the car
would mean that cyclist would likely still be alive.


So tell me how you stay a doors width away from parked cars when you're
driving your car and the road is just not wide enough without going over
the white centre line?

You stay at a speed that will allow you to stop, you observe whether
there are people in the cars that might open a door, you use the horn if
needed.

Come on! you know that is not always possible. I've been driving for
over 50 years and have *never* had an accident, BUT I've had a lot of
close calls in cars. I don't believe that you've never driven close to
parked cars out of necessity on narrow roads in traffic doing about 30 mph.
In that situation, if a driver justs decides to open their door when you
are within a few yards of their door and the road is too narrow to drive
around it and it's too late to brake. You WILL hit the door.


And if I am in a car and that happens then the probability is that I and
my passengers will be uninjured, the cars will be insured and no lasting
problems will remain. A cyclist cannot be in that position and hence
should and must take extra care.

On 20/05/2015 17:37, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 17:15, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:39, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:23, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:01, RJH wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:02, Mrcheerful wrote:
Recumbent rider failed to notice the likelihood of a car door
opening,
failed to pass sufficiently wide and due to his type of machine and
its
condition, fell off and died. Viable transport?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/...e-died-9290908







The school run is a bad time for cyclists, and I suspect anybody on or
near roads. I give cars a very wide berth at those times.

Just out of interest, how would you 'notice the likelihood of a car
door
opening'? It's one of these things I cycle in anticipation of, and it
happens once or twice a year. Never hit yet, but I've come close.

I met a bloke who got caught - left him severely epileptic. Better
than
the poor sod in your link though.


As the woman had only just pulled up it is very likely that an
observant
road user would have seen her do so, and given a wide berth for the
very
likely possibility of a door opening. Using a recumbent on the road
increases the difficulties of vision both by the cyclist and of the
cyclist, therefore the cyclist should have been taking even greater
care
than a 'normal' cyclist to maintain safe speed and position while going
past a recently stopped car.

You're STILL siding with the driver.
She admitted that she had already clipped a bin with her wing mirror
before she got out. The woman is obviously a careless driver.
There's no other way to look at it, the accident *wouldn't* have
happened if she'd looked properly.
She was found guilty, end of story.



Most collisions occur when more than one road user makes a mistake, just
as in this case.

*She* was the *only* one found guilty.


Not so, the cyclist was found to be guilty of riding an unroadworthy
machine, he was not dealt with by the courts for a simple reason, can
you guess what it was?

On 20/05/2015 17:53, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 17:34, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 17:14, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 17:10, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 16:28, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:32, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 15:18, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:25, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 13:08, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 10:44, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:47, Mrcheerful wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:08, Bod wrote:
On 20/05/2015 09:02, Mrcheerful wrote:
Recumbent rider failed to notice the likelihood of a car door
opening,
failed to pass sufficiently wide and due to his type of
machine
and
its
condition, fell off and died. Viable transport?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/...e-died-9290908













Hmm! The lady said "Mrs Jackson said: “I consider myself to
be a
careful and competent driver. I feel very sorry that the
cyclist
died
but don’t think there’s anything I could have done different to
avoid
this accident.”

How about looking before opening her door?
She *obviously* caused the accident by her
carelessness.

Recumbents are very low to the ground and would be easy to miss
with a
quick glance in a mirror.
The cyclist was also careless, he would have seen the vehicle
stop
and
would know that the likelihood is that a door will open soon
after, he
failed to allow enough room or stopping distance to avoid the
possibility, his machine was of such a type and in such poor
condition
that he left it all too late to slow, stop or otherwise avoid
the
obvious obstacle.

"a quick glance"!?
Unlike you, I look *very* carefully before opening my car doors.
She was to blame, unless you strangely consider that the accident
would've happened even if she hadn't opened the door?
She opened her door carelessly, resulting in his death.
How you can side with her is beyond me.

I do not side with her. She failed to look enough, however the
cyclist
could also have avoided the incident by being more observant. As
the
most vulnerable one he needed to take the most care, yet he
clearly
did
not.

How on earth can a cyclist avoid a car door suddenly being opened
when
you're a few feet away from the door and travelling at around
15mph?
I've had several close calls like that when I've been cycling.
Car drivers are notorious for not seeing cyclists and not just door
openings, but many don't look properly at junctions. I've had many
just
pull out dangerously because they haven't seen me. They only seem
to be
looking out for cars etc. Too much of a hurry and not enough care.


It is called anticipation and is a part of defensive driving/riding.
The
cyclist is the vulnerable one and will usually be hurt in any
collision,
why on earth would the cyclist not do everything in his power to
make
his journey safer? Relying upon other people to be perfect is not
the
way to travel safely when using any form of road transport. Saying
its
someone else's fault does not help when you are dead or seriously
injured.

I always try to anticipate, but it's not always possible to
anticipate
car doors suddenly opening. If you cycled, you'd know what I mean.


If you cannot anticipate that the driver's door is likely to open soon
after a car has pulled up, then perhaps you should not be using the
roads.

A safe speed and machine coupled with a suitable distance from the car
would mean that cyclist would likely still be alive.


So tell me how you stay a doors width away from parked cars when you're
driving your car and the road is just not wide enough without going
over
the white centre line?

You stay at a speed that will allow you to stop, you observe whether
there are people in the cars that might open a door, you use the horn if
needed.

Come on! you know that is not always possible. I've been driving for
over 50 years and have *never* had an accident, BUT I've had a lot of
close calls in cars. I don't believe that you've never driven close to
parked cars out of necessity on narrow roads in traffic doing about 30
mph.
In that situation, if a driver justs decides to open their door when you
are within a few yards of their door and the road is too narrow to drive
around it and it's too late to brake. You WILL hit the door.


And if I am in a car and that happens then the probability is that I and
my passengers will be uninjured, the cars will be insured and no lasting
problems will remain. A cyclist cannot be in that position and hence
should and must take extra care.

Agreed and I do when on a bike. You can be as careful as you like, but
it can and does happen fairly frequently. Quite a common accident,
apparently.