Its really just sad to see a bike in this state....As much as I shouldn't joke about it, I'm not sure who would have been more shitscared! Joel when he got cleaned up, or the bloke in the car getting all 42kg's (!!) of Joel suddenly sitting in the passenger seat! To tell the story, I'll just post Joel's letter as he could tell it better than most...
"Well what can I say. Got myself in another mischief last night. Thought was to go for an easy flat road ride to spin the legs out after the race Sunday. Riding along Stud Rd (Dandenong) all happy and nice, then the next moment I was lying in a guys lap who was driving a car as I went through the front window. See the attached photos. Was a freaky accident that I’m still not in hospital (well still alive) and that I’ve got no broken bones. He was a young driver going way to quick turning right down some street when he hit me. I had to tell him to stop when I was tying in the front window. Had some very kind people stop and help me for which I am very grateful. The police and ambos arrived, took down the statements and away I went again in an ambulance to hospital for a check up. I wasn’t keen for it, but part of the formalities because the young driver doesn’t have car registration nor does he have insurance. Going to be interesting to get him to pay for my bike….can‘t see that happening. At least I smashed his car up a bit. The body is a bit trashed, my left hip which went through the windscreen is certainly feeling it, hard enough to walk around at the moment. But hope to be back on the bike in a week or so. (might be doubtful for the 12hr, sorry, will confirm on Thursday)"
Whilst we are on the topic of car vs bike, did anyone happen to hear about the poor gentleman that got cleaned up by a truck on Kingsway today? The answer I'm guessing from a lot of poeple will be no, and really is it any suprise? The media have just finished salivating over the last debarcle which claimed the life of a pedestrian and involved the catchy slogan "hell ride". I'm sure that they couldn't see the news value behind yeet another cyclist being flattened by tonnes and tonnes of moving steel- how often does it need to happen for something to change? What could/would/should change? Will be be safer on bike paths? When was the last time you hit an unleashed dog? I don't have the solution, but what I do contend is that many commuters lack the basic skills required to ride a bike on a public road. I think we need licences, just like a motorbike. And just like a motorbike, its up to the cops to catch 'em to book 'em. But at least at the start, there would be a basic expectation of people being able to ride a bike safely and properly!
Hope you're feeling better soon Joel.
2 comments:
hi all
i was on scene in kingways for a fair while tuesday
(i have pix but wont post up)
from the scene there was lots of police going thru the motions after the tragic event
preventable?
fault?
result - poor for all
the truck driver was in the ambo for a long time and spoken to at length to assess the situation.
after being let out, he returned and was taken by ambo to hospital (i guess shock)
a small white van was right next to the lane where it happened so i guess the driver of that is the only one who really can tell what went on. he was also taken away (for statement or for shock)
tragic to hear of any death but more so cause this rider never made it 'home'
drivers AND riders need to be 100% aware of everything around them.
just cause they havent been 'hit' for ages doesnt mean it isnt going to happen.
expect the worst and ride to suit
Dallas G
www.mith.com.au
The reason the media are more interested in the ped getting killed by the cyclist is that it's more unusual, hence more newsworthy, than cyclist being killed by cars, which sadly is an everyday occurrence.
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