Posted on: 15th Nov 2009 6:42 PM    Quote and Reply

Hello friends,

I am writing this to ask for advice and tips from more experienced cyclists and roadies about what to do professionally in a crash INVOLVED ANOTHER PARTY (pedestrian, cyclist, motorist), much akin to what happens in a road traffic accident. Also, what action can be pursued thereafter?

Eg. do you take down only his mobile number and agree about compensation for medical/bike aid? or do you take down more details - exchange IDs and get down pertinent information and agree to itemise the damaged after assessment at the bike shop?

Advice is appreciated!


A little more about what happened - I had a first crash today, after a thousand miles of road riding, and one stupid mile in the park.

Basically, after training down Changi Coastal Road, my mates and I cycled through part of East Coast Park en route to the MacDonald's where a friend would meet us. We weren't speeding or drafting in aero position or all that jazz - we wouldn't in the park anyway.

And on the way there, a dude with his bike MADE A U-TURN (who in the world does that!?) within the same lane without looking behind, and I was riding on that pathway. Unable to stop in time because of his sudden turn, I crashed into his rented MTB @ about 20km/h. he was unscathed, as his bike fell. I went down with my road bike - its custom wheels, Cannondale carbon fork and Shimano Ultegra STIs. The headset was out of alignment, my fork scratched, the wheel went out of true, the brakes were out of alignment and my Ultegra STIs were busted (couldn't brake or shift, the lever was broken).

Even more shocking was when I was splayed in the middle of the road, with a bad contusion on my back and bleeding abrasions from my left hand and elbow, he or his friends didn't even check on me or helped me up. They just went to return/rent their bicycles. Such lacking decency.

And he didn't apologise.

And they wouldn't accept full responsibility for the damages.

I was really annoyed and was unable to negotiate with them. The culprit did not own up to it nor come to find me. I had to speak to his friend, who defended him, saying that my bicycle was already used and old (mind you, it's a well maintained and UNDER-RIDDEN Cannondale), and he was not at fault, that he didn't deserve to pay full damages to my equipment.

I was only able to get the culprit's mobile number, but given his attitude he does not appear willing to compensate me for the damages. I failed to ask for more details, such as that of his more reasonable friend, or his NRIC number/address in case I needed to take him to task.

Hoping to learn from the rest of you!

Thank you so much in anticipation of your help!

Jon

Posted on: 15th Nov 2009 6:52 PM    Quote and Reply
Okay I can't help you honestly, but just wanna ask you okay? Sounds quite bad your injuries.. The rental shop areas a lot of jokers being idiotic. Had some experiences there myself also crashing into irresponsible people.

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Aren't we supposed ENJOY the sport?

Posted on: 15th Nov 2009 7:07 PM    Quote and Reply
Sigh. I was just reading your other posts dude while reading stuff about insurance and swerves. Thanks for your message - I am really touched by you asking if I was okay.

I am alright, save for a backache (my back contusion) and my heartache - my well kept Cannondale in a wreck. Going to take it to the bike shop tomorrow and get it assess and fixed.

I'm NEVER riding in a park again.

Posted on: 15th Nov 2009 7:21 PM    Quote and Reply
Good to hear you're fine. Rest up, get well soon and hopefully you'll be able to ride again soon, and hopefully to you'll get some where with getting that guy to take responsibility. And yeah, take the advice from others who've told me: don't ride in parks especially in these hours. ECP is a horribly accident prone place even when you're not going fast. That's the most ridiculous part. As for your bike well, sad case, can empathise. I'd be pissed too.

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Aren't we supposed ENJOY the sport?

Posted on: 15th Nov 2009 7:27 PM    Quote and Reply
Try not to go to ECP on Saturday and Sundays. Alot alot of idiots there.

Posted on: 15th Nov 2009 7:27 PM    Quote and Reply
Cheers Mate.. Appreciate the sympathy and empathy, BRO.
Hope to run into you (read: MEET!) on the roads some day!

Posted on: 15th Nov 2009 8:15 PM    Quote and Reply
Haha yeah. Wouldn't want history to repeat itselfgood luck with dealing with the idiot(no pun intended)

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Aren't we supposed ENJOY the sport?

Posted on: 15th Nov 2009 8:59 PM    Quote and Reply

U shall have bash that idiot. Seriously...

This type of people is no different from the bike thief who we often called to kill or hang.

At least bike thief causes only loss of yr property but this kind of joker can cost yr life.

If u bash up that idiot. Even he make a police report. Police will tell him to refer to civil case and engage a lawyer to sue u. I doubt he will have the cash to do that. If he did, u can sue him back for causing the accident.

If u manage to intimidate him, he might agree to pay u up and u can avoid the bashing and get compensation. Even not getting a compensation at least an apology is still consider acceptable.

Posted on: 15th Nov 2009 9:10 PM    Quote and Reply
Don't look like much that you can do at this point now that its all over. Dun think the cops will be too bothered in with such cases even if you have gotten his HP no. Too trivial for them.




Seems like ECP will be voted again next year as the most dangerous place to ride a bike.
Heard of a broken elbow case not long back when some Flying Chinaman decided to charge head on into the uber bright blinker of the cyclist the dead of nite...and now this.

Avoid the place, if have to ride thru there, just make sure to avoid those iDiots with iPods fused to their ears and little dwarfs that are not on a leash... the 2 worst kind that makes the place unsafe.

.

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Been having problem finding space to fill in forms lately....

Citizenship: Local born and bred, 3rd class nonetheless.

Posted on: 15th Nov 2009 10:35 PM    Quote and Reply
people don't believe me when i say that ECP is the most dangerous area to cycle on ANY bike in singapore.

sorry to hear of your unfortunate incident. the only way to prevent it... would be to always ready for some coconut head to pull off silly moves in there.

Posted on: 16th Nov 2009 6:00 AM    Quote and Reply
I do agree with avoiding ECP at all costs on weekends. It's unfortunate that incidents like yours have become a rather common occurence. And I thought only toddlers have the tendency to make unexpected U-turns. What you shared made me more aware.

Not much can be done in Singapore professionally, or through a legal process, about a cyclist-cyclist incident. Moreover, the other party was on a rented bike and definitely not covered by any form of 3r party insurance. What can be done, if at all, is to reach a private settlement. In your case, as you would have found, it will difficult as the party has denied liability altogether. So it remains up to you whether you would be "bringing him to task" when you have had your bicycle and your injuries assessed.  

I hope you recover quickly and get back to riding soon.